Ecomasculinity in Perumal Murugan’s "Pyre"

The novel "Pyre" by Perumal Murugan, published in the year 2013, explores the tangled themes of tradition, caste, and environmental consciousness in pastoral Tamil Nadu. This study examines the representation of ecomasculinity in "Pyre," notably in the character Kumaresan, who struggles to harmonize his traditional masculine role with his deep connection to the land. Through the theoretical lens of ecomasculinity, this article investigates how Murugan links masculinity with environmental identity and reveals the deep-rooted conflicts between ecological belonging and socio-cultural expectations. Using close textual analysis, the study explores masculinity in rural Tamil Nadu and examines how caste structures, social resistance, community rejection, and violence shape Kumaresan’s experience. This study highlights the concept of ecomasculinity and contrasts the traditional masculinity with alternative, ecologically grounded form of masculinity. The analysis demonstrates that the protagonist’s engagement with the environment reshapes his masculine identity, resisting oppressive social structures, and highlighting the alternative masculinity in rural context. The novel’s rural landscape serves not only as a setting but also as a central force influencing the protagonist’s identity, thereby contributing to the discourse on gender and ecology in Indian literature.