An ecocritical analysis of Ecological discourses in tamil Cinema

Abstract

The state of Tamil Nadu situated in the southern part of the Indian newlinesubcontinent is in the midst of an ecological crisis Tamil Nadus newlinedevelopment agenda over the years characterized by industrialization and newlineurbanization has resulted in the state becoming a pioneer in the nation in newlineterms of social mobility and economic empowerment of its people But in newlineterms of environment the state has suffered a devastating and immeasurable newlinedestruction of its ecology and biodiversity a cost it pays for its developmental newlineachievements newlineHistorically ecological conservation and oneness with nature were newlinethe essence of culture and religion in Tamil Nadu For a state whose newlinecivilization was founded and deeply rooted on ecocentric ideologies the newlinetransformation to anthropocentric ideals came with the arrival of the newlinecolonizers who attached a monetary value to nature and natural resources newlineAfter independence from colonial rule in 1947 the states thrust on newlinedevelopment and its transformation from an agrarian economy to an newlineindustrialised economy and the erosion of traditional ecological beliefs newlinepractices and traditions have contributed to a whole range of ecological newlineissues crisis and conflicts in the state newlineToday as Tamil Nadu moves forward with its development agenda newlinehistory culture religion and literature are waning to influence and impress newlineupon the ecological ideals of its citizens newline newline