An Ecocritical Reading of Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih’s The Yearning of Seeds

Author(s): Dr. Anupam Dutta

Abstract:

Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih’s The Yearning of Seeds (2011) is a poetic exploration of the Khasi Hills’ ecological and cultural landscape, examined through an ecocritical lens that highlights the interplay between literature and the environment. This paper analyzes how Nongkynrih’s poetry celebrates Khasi ecological wisdom, critiques environmental degradation, and envisions ecological and cultural renewal. Drawing on Khasi cosmology, oral traditions, and animistic beliefs, poems like “Weiking” and “Deep inside a pine forest” portray nature as a sacred, sentient entity, resonating with indigenous concepts of reciprocity and non-human agency. The collection’s vivid imagery and haiku forms evoke a sensory connection to the landscape, fostering ecological awareness. Nongkynrih’s satirical critique, as seen in “Blasphemous Lines for Mother” and “When the Prime Minister Visits Shillong,” exposes the impacts of modernity, globalization, and extractive industries like mining, aligning with ecocritical frameworks such as Rob Nixon’s “slow violence” and Lawrence Buell’s “toxic discourse.” The poet’s emphasis on community rituals and matrilineal ties, particularly in “The Tree’s Prayer,” underscores a collective ethic of environmental stewardship, enriched by ecofeminist and environmental justice perspectives. By blending Khasi animism with global ecological discourses, Nongkynrih’s work positions Northeast India as a vital site for environmental reflection, contributing to postcolonial and indigenous ecocriticism. The Yearning of Seeds thus serves as both a lament for ecological loss and a hopeful call for regeneration, sowing seeds of mindfulness and resilience for a sustainable future.

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Pages: 83-88     |    5 View     |    0 Download