Narrating Tribal Nationalist Goddess: A Critical Appraisal of Dr. Rajesh Vankar's Heer

Abstract: The national struggle for freedom of India was not only a socio-political movement but it was made significant by some freedom fighters who instilled mythological and religious motifs, images and symbols. By doing so, they encouraged the Indians to fight for morality and righteousness which was understood as dharma during those times. Further, this motivated the people of India to fight against the colonial rule for their socio-political, economic, cultural, spiritual and religious rights. Moreover, the fact was visible that the colonial masters had also looted the religious rights of Indians and therefore this struggle for Independence was also marketed as the fight of dharma (good, righteousness, morality) against adharma (evil, lawlessness and immorality). The present article analyses Dr. Rajesh Vankar’s 2022 novella, Heer and it explores how the novelist has portrayed the protagonist as nationalist goddess who made invaluable contribution in the national freedom movement of India. An attempt to excavate the contribution of tribal freedom fighters in India is also made with a view to rejuvenate the history of India Keywords: national struggle, freedom, movement, mythological, religious