Buddhisagar’s Karnali Blues: The voice against regional exclusion

Abstract

The paper uncovers the theme of regional exclusion and its impact on individuals and communities in Nepal's Mid & Far Western Region in the novel ‘Karnali Blues' by Buddhisagar. It reveals the regional exclusion that contributed to the land's underdevelopment. For that, regionalism is taken as the theoretical ground to analyse regional disparities of the Karnali and Mahakali region. Set in a rural, underdeveloped landscape, it showcases a protagonist who navigates poverty, lack of opportunities, and a sense of segregation. Throughout the novel, the author reveals the image of not only Karnali, where the story unfolds a cycle of poverty and struggle to meet basic needs, but also its relation to the center, Kathmandu, uncovering differences in socio-economic conditions, infrastructure development, and availability of resources to generate opportunities. By depicting harsh living conditions, resource scarcity, and constant struggle for survival, the novel becomes a voice against regional exclusion. Brisha Bahadur, a protagonist, is shown facing various circumstances intertwined with people living in that geography. The author presents the story through the lens of a small boy shifting towards the eye of an adolescent, experiencing various ups and downs, reflecting regional disparities. Hence, the paper on The Karnali Blues thus becomes a voice against regional exclusion.