LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 26:6 June 2026
ISSN 1930-2940

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         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
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Rural-to-Urban Migration and Socioeconomic Disparities in Kamala Markandaya's A Handful of Rice

Dr. U. Sriranganath

Abstract

This paper explores Kamala Markandaya's A Handful of Rice as a profound literary examination of economic struggle, social transformation, and moral resilience in postcolonial India. Through the character of Ravi, the novel dramatizes the tensions between rural and urban survival, highlighting the challenges of poverty, injustice, and societal expectations. The analysis foregrounds Ravi's internal conflict and moral dilemmas, situating his journey within broader themes of migration, family obligations, and the pursuit of dignity. By tracing Ravi's evolution from desperation to self-assertion, the study underscores the complex interplay between survival instincts and ethical choices. Ultimately, Markandaya's narrative offers a nuanced critique of socioeconomic disparities and illuminates the tragic consequences of systemic inequities, while simultaneously affirming the resilience of the human spirit.

Keywords:Kamala Markandaya, A Handful of Rice, Poverty and resilience, Rural-to-urban migration, Socioeconomic disparities, Postcolonial Indian literature

Introduction

Kamala Markandaya occupies a significant place in postcolonial Indian literature, renowned for her sensitive portrayals of social realities and the struggles of marginalized communities. Her novel A Handful of Rice (1966) presents a compelling narrative of economic hardship, rural-to-urban migration, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals navigating systemic inequities. Through the character of Ravi, Markandaya dramatizes the precarious balance between survival instincts and ethical choices, situating personal struggles within broader socioeconomic transformations in India.

While existing scholarship has examined Markandaya's engagement with poverty and resilience, much of the critical discourse has focused on her earlier works such as Nectar in a Sieve. Comparatively, A Handful of Rice has received less sustained attention, despite its nuanced exploration of urban survival and the psychological toll of poverty. This paper seeks to address this gap by analysing the novel's depiction of Ravi's journey as emblematic of the underprivileged class?s pursuit of dignity amid structural injustice.

The objective of this study is to highlight how Markandaya intertwines themes of economic struggle, social transformation, and moral resilience to critique socioeconomic disparities in postcolonial India. By foregrounding Ravi's internal conflict and tragic trajectory, the paper underscores the novel's relevance to contemporary debates on migration, inequality, and ethical agency. In doing so, it contributes to a deeper understanding of Markandaya's literary vision and her enduring commentary on the human condition.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. U. Sriranganath
Assistant. Professor
Department of EoFL
VFSTR Deemed to be University
Vadlamudi
sriranganath554@gmail.com

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