சி.எம். முத்துவின் ‘கறிச்சோறு’ நாவல் காட்டும் கிராமப்புற சமூக அமைப்பு: ஒரு சமூகவியல் மற்றும் மானுடவியல் ஆய்வு

Rural Social Structure in C.M. Muthu’s Novel ‘Karichoru’: A Sociological and Anthropological Study

Abstract

In the history of Tamil literature, regional literature serves as an exceptional document revealing the internal facets of society. In particular, C.M. Muthu’s novel Karichoru extensively records the local essence of the Thanjavur district and the intricate caste hierarchies prevalent there.

This article examines, from a sociological perspective, the sub-sects of the Kallar community depicted in the novel, the power struggles between them, the violence perpetrated in the name of 'Vaagarai Gauravam' (Lineage Honor), and the patriarchal tendencies within a land-owning society. Furthermore, by comparing it with the short story Karichoru by Ki. Rajanarayanan (the father of Karisal literature), this study provides a detailed analysis of how 'food' (Karichoru or meat-rice) serves as a symbol of social status and an indicator of poverty across two different terrains of Tamil Nadu. This work sheds light on how rural power centers utilize caste as a tool and how it dismantles individual relationships and love.