Cultural Memory In Jakkanna

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ABSTRACT
Cultural memory represents the collective perceptions and creations of the distant past. Such collective memories are best documented and secured in Literature. What matters is not the real facts but rather the consensus of conventions shared by both the cultural history and the literary creator. However, literary narratives do not always give a compilation of such memories under a single wrap. It is on this distinctive point that Jakkana stands out in eternalising cultural memory. BasavarajNaikar’s novella, Jakkanna is the retelling of the life and history of the AmarsilpiJakkannacharya, the famed architect of the Hoysala dynasty. The plot is replete with events that have been happening from the ancient times. Parallels of such incidents …show more content…

Such meaningfulavowals about the cultural history in a given cultural context of the present, is termed as cultural memory. Cultural memory represents the collective perceptions and creations of the distant past. These are maintained by people in a social and historical context and are handed down to their descendants. There is plenty of evidence to prove their existence in society, wherein such 'retrospective memory' reveals itself through rituals and ceremonies at festivals, special occasions, special places and other common platforms. (Assmann, 56–9). Such handed-down memories are of paramount importance in understanding and interpreting events in history. In fact, any particular version of history becomes significant only when it is meaningful to the specific culture it belongs to. This in turn, evokes the collective subjectivities and self-identities of the members of that …show more content…

Their primary aim is to keep the record of events alive by transmitting this knowledge to succeeding generations. Community relationship and socialization of the individual members of the society aid in passing down knowledge of cultural history. However, the individuals are free to differ in interpreting them and offer alternate views. Thus interpretations of past events and situations vary in keeping with the times thus warranting continuity in retaining cultural memories. When this memory ceases to be merely an individual experience and integrates with the established notions of a generation, it stakes claim to become part of a collective domain. This explains the significance of cultural memory in both Historiography and Culture Studies. The former looks at the process of establishing this memory while the latter deals with their implications and objects. In short, cultural memory is a concept where the present is shaped by our understanding of the past and therefore the past does wield enormous influence on the present.
BasavarajNaikar’s novella, Jakkanna is the recapping of the life and history of the AmarsilpiJakkannacharya, the renowned architect of the Hoysala dynasty. The plot is replete with events that share commonalities with some of those that have happened and are happening from the ancient times. Parallels

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