“I Wish to Sing One Last Song for My Land”: Anuj Lugun’s Poetics of Resistance and Reclamation

T. T. Mukherjee¹ & S. P. Satpathy^{2  
1}Associate Professor, Dept of English, Bhatter College, Dantan, India.
²Associate Professor, Dept of Humanities and Social Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, India.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 3, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n3.01g
Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract

This paper critically engages with Anuj Lugun’s poetics of resistance and reclamation by focusing on his representation of the civilization of water, forest, and land. Lugun, a prominent voice in contemporary indigenous literature in India, uses poetry to articulate the struggles and resilience of tribal communities in India to resist the forces of displacement and environmental degradation and reclaim cultural identity. Through a close reading of selected poems translated by Pragya Shukla, this study analyzes the way Lugun weaves a narrative that challenges dominant historical and cultural discourses. The analysis also explores how Lugun represents the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights and environmental and social justice through a unique blend of traditional oral storytelling with modern poetic forms. This paper links Lugun’s poetics with global Indigenous artistic practices by showing how Lugun’s poetry addresses the same concerns. It also reflects the spirit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on Gender Equality, Life on Land, Climate Action, and Reduced Inequalities.

Keywords: Indigenous poetry, Anuj Lugun, tribal philosophy, resistance, reclamation, SDGs.