Dismantling the Hegemonic Structure through the War of Manoeuvre: Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s ‘The Adivasi Will Not Dance’ as a Dogma of Adivasis

Abstract

The paper discusses Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s The Adivasi Will Not Dance (2015) that takes forth the voice of the culturally marginalised, politically subjugated, economically challenged community, Santhal tribe, deprived of their land, person and protection. In the premise of his short story, Shekhar erudite on the cultural integrity of the SanthalWat of Jharkhand exploited and exiled in the same measure. Shekhar paints a poignant tale of a community struggling and at war with the State, which is both indifferent and unforthcoming in identifying with their understanding of life and manner. The Adivasi Will Not Dance recites the tale of a man, in whom resonates the utter despair of the whole community and also their strong resistance to the State that continually fails to identify with their ethos.