FYUGP - MDC ENGLISH - SEM II TRAVEL WRITING IN INDIA - AN OVERVIEW

TRAVEL WRITING IN INDIA - AN OVERVIEW 

K. SATCHIDANANDAN 

Dr. Krishna Sunder A.

Assistant Professor

Department of English

KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri.

K. Satchidanandan 

K. Satchidanandan, born on May 28, 1946, is a prominent Indian poet and writer primarily known for his Malayalam works, but he also writes in English. He hails from Pullut, a village in the Thrissur region of Kerala, and has spent a significant amount of time in Delhi since 1992, while frequently visiting Kerala. Satchidanandan is considered as a leading figure in modern Malayalam poetry and was one of the founders of what is termed 'after-modernist' poetry in Malayalam. His work is noted for its universal outlook and appreciation of global poetry. He is also recognised as a significant literary critic, translator, playwright, and travel writer. He has received numerous prestigious awards for his literary contributions, including the Sahitya Akademi Award. He has also been honoured internationally, including receiving a Knighthood from the Government of Italy and the Dante Medal from Ravenna. He served as the President of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi. He is also the Festival Director of the Kerala Literature Festival.

Summary 

The Chapter is a welcome address given by K. Satchidanandan at the National Seminar on “Travel Writing in India” held at Panaji in 2002. This was later converted into a book titled "Travel Writing in India" published by Sahitya Akademi in 2008, which features an introductory essay by Satchidanandan which is this talk.

In "Travel Writing in India: An Overview" by K. Satchidanandan, he begins by questioning the very definition of "travel writing" within the Indian context. He explores whether it solely encompasses writing about India by both foreign and Indian authors or if it specifically refers to travel narratives by Indians about their own land and travels abroad.

The essay traces the evolution of travel writing in India from ancient times to the contemporary era. He divides this into four segments.

Early Travel Writing : Early travel writing in India began through epics, narratives and plays. Examples include - Digvijayas in epics, devotional accounts of pilgrimages undertaken by saints and religious people. It has also reflected in some homesick lovers and their writings like in Kalidasa’s Meghasandesham. He discusses ancient narratives, pilgrimage accounts, and travel for trade and exploration from this era.

Medieval age and travel Writing : Medieval travel writing focussed more on holy places rather than travel writing itself. For eg: Lila Charithra - a biography which came out in the year 1276. This contains a detailed realistic description of people and places. The first Malayalam travel writing was “Romayatra” in the early 17th century written by Thoma Kathanar. It is a fascinating travel journey from Alangad in Kerala to Rome. They went on foot till Madras and then crossed Atlantic Ocean and came back. The journey took around 8 years. 

Colonial Period : He records that by 19th century, Indian travel writing has come of age because of the colonial encounter. The colonial encounter created a class of people who could read, travel and write. Transport systems became more easier and travel became more easier. People started travelling to foreign countries for education. Kashi in India became a primary spot for people’s travel. However, we have to notice two things that these travelling happened only with men and those belonging to the middle class. This was a far away sight for the poor and the women.

Post Colonial Period : After 1947, travel became more free and more frequent. It came in diverse forms like diaries, letters, conversations and lectures. But except for a few women like Panditha Ramabhai, Qurratulain Hyder, Vasanthi or Annie Thayyil, most of these were written by men only. He also explored how themes of nationhood, identity, and globalisation shaped contemporary Indian travel writing.

K. Satchidanandan's "Travel Writing in India: An Overview" likely provides a foundational understanding of the genre within the Indian literary landscape, emphasising its unique history, diverse motivations, key characteristics, and the critical approaches necessary for its study. It would encourage a nuanced understanding of Indian travel narratives beyond Western paradigms.

He also adds that Kashi and Himalayas became trending places for travel narratives during the 19th century. He also mentions the names of some Indian writers who belonged to this travel genre. This included names like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, K.M. Munshi, Mirza Ghulam, S.K. Potekkad, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, K.P.S. Menon, E.M.S. Namboothirippad etc.

He finally concludes the talk by stating that Travelogues are indeed interdisciplinary areas where literature, history, politics, geography, economics, ethnography and even linguistics merge together. 

Answer in two or three sentences

1. What is meant by “Orientalist perceptions” in foreign travellers’ accounts of India ?

Ans : "Orientalist perceptions" in foreign travellers' accounts of India refer to the way India and its people were often viewed and represented through a lens shaped by Orientalism. Orientalism creates a fundamental and often exaggerated distinction between "the West" (Occident) and "the East" (Orient). The Orient is constructed as being fundamentally different, often in opposition to Western values and norms. Since it is different from the west, it is fascinating and exotic as well. 

b. How does travel writing in Pre colonial India relate to modern travelogues? Give two examples of early travel accounts.

Ans : Pre-colonial travel writing was often driven by religious pilgrimage, trade, diplomacy, or conquest. Personal exploration for leisure was less common. Pre-colonial accounts varied greatly in form, including religious texts, epic poems, court chronicles, and practical guides. They often lacked the individual, subjective voice and literary techniques common in modern travelogues.

c. How did colonialism play a major role in the emergence of modern Indian travel writing as a genre ?

Ans : Colonialism brought with it a wave of European travellers, administrators, missionaries, and scholars who documented their experiences in India. These accounts were often filtered through an "Orientalist" lens. Colonialism acted as a catalyst for the emergence of modern Indian travel writing by creating the "other" against which Indian writers defined themselves. The genre became a space for asserting Indian identity, challenging colonial stereotypes, and exploring the complexities of a nation undergoing profound transformation.

d. How did the innovations in transportations, such as the introduction of railways, influence the development of travel writing in India.

Ans : The introduction of railways in India, starting in 1853, had a profound and multifaceted influence on the development of travel writing in the country. It acted as a major catalyst, transforming the nature of travel itself. Railways made long-distance travel significantly faster, cheaper, and more accessible. The railway became not just a mode of transport but also a powerful symbol of change and a catalyst for new forms of literary expression.

e. What are the important themes in the Early India Travelogues ?

Ans : Travel to sacred sites (temples, rivers, mountains) across the Indian subcontinent was a significant aspect of religious life. Travelogues often detail the routes taken, the sanctity of the places visited, the rituals performed, the deities worshipped, and the spiritual experiences of the journey. These accounts could serve as guides for future pilgrims, providing practical information alongside spiritual insights. Merchants and traders often documented their journeys along trade routes, both within India and to neighbouring lands. Royal envoys and diplomats traveling to other kingdoms within India or to foreign lands often kept records of their missions.

f. What are the factors that contributed to the flourishing of travel writing as a major literary genre in India after 1947?

Ans : Post-independence, India witnessed significant advancements in transportation infrastructure. The expansion of railways, the development of roadways, and the growth of air travel made it easier and more accessible for Indians to explore their own country and venture abroad. Gradual economic development led to a growing middle class with more disposable income and leisure time, making travel a more attainable pursuit for a larger segment of the population.Travelogues became a medium to explore social issues, political realities, and the complexities of a rapidly changing India.

Paragraph

1. Examine the ways in which Indian travelogues have presented cultural encounters between the traveller and the places they visit. 

Ans : Travellers often meticulously describe the architecture, clothing, food habits, rituals, festivals, and everyday objects of the places they visit. Travelogues document the social interactions, hierarchies, etiquette, and customs prevalent in different regions. In earlier era, travellers detail encounters with diverse religious communities and practices along the pilgrimage routes. The traveller's primary focus is often on the spiritual significance, but they also record interactions with local populations and their customs. Accounts by figures like Rabindranath Tagore or Swami Vivekananda document their encounters with Western society, often marked by both admiration and critical observation, particularly in relation to the colonial context. Modern Indian travel writers often explore remote regions within India or travel abroad, focusing on immersive cultural experiences. They might delve into the daily lives of local communities, participate in their festivals, and reflect on the similarities and differences between their own cultural background and the ones they encounter.

b. Evaluate the significance of gender and class in the production of travel writing in India.

Ans : Travel was largely a male domain. Religious pilgrimages saw some participation of women, but their narratives, if they existed, were rarely documented or given the same prominence as those of men.Travel for leisure and exploration was primarily the domain of the upper classes – rulers, nobles, wealthy merchants, and religious figures. The colonial era witnessed the arrival of European women travellers, often wives of officials or independent adventurers. Indian women's travel writing remained limited but began to emerge, often focusing on domestic travel, pilgrimage, or experiences within the constraints of a changing society. Their perspectives offered a crucial counterpoint to both male Indian and female Western narratives. The post-independence era saw a gradual increase in women's participation in travel and, consequently, in travel writing. Factors like increased education, economic independence, and changing social norms enabled more women to travel independently and share their experiences. Their narratives often focus on different aspects of travel, including personal growth, challenges faced as women travellers in diverse environments, and explorations of gender roles and societal expectations in different parts of India and the world.