Nature, Identity, and Social Reform in K. Shivaram Karanth’s “Bettada Jeeva” – A Critical Overview Abstract K. Shivaram Karanth’s novel Bettada Jeeva (1968) stands as a landmark in modern Kannada literature for its vivid portrayal of the Western Ghats and its incisive critique of socio‑cultural practices among tribal communities. This paper offers a concise scholarly overview of the novel, examining its narrative structure, thematic concerns (the interplay of man and nature, gender dynamics, and the tension between tradition and modernity), and its stylistic strategies. By situating the work within the broader context of post‑colonial Indian literature and Karanth’s own reformist agenda, the article highlights why Bettada Jeeva continues to be a touchstone for ecological and feminist readings in South‑Asian studies. Keywords Bettada Jeeva; K. Shivaram Karanth; eco‑criticism; tribal studies; Kannada literature; post‑colonial modernism; gender 1. Introduction K. Shivaram Karanth (1902‑1997), a Jnanpith laureate, used fiction as a vehicle for social transformation. Bettada Jeeva (literally “Life of the Hills”) is perhaps his most ambitious attempt to fuse narrative art with ecological consciousness. Set in the dense forests of the Western Ghats, the novel follows the life of the protagonist Mohan and the tribal community of Kundapura (a fictionalized village), exposing the complex web of belief, exploitation, and resistance that defines their existence.
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