After reading the whole novel, you are really made to think
of why the author named his work as Basti? What is the definition of the word used
in this particular contextual setting and how does it relate to the fragmented
human thoughts in the novel? To me, the name implies a very philosophical
setting of the novel and the environment that has been richly portrayed in it.
Basti, if literally translated into English means “settlement”.
However, the text describes a picture where all characters are striving for an
anchor of permanence. For me, Basti signifies a battle between the physical
nature of a home and the spiritual or mythological nature of it. For Muslim
exile figures, it is a struggle between finding a land to which they can attach
their identity while being free in practicing their religious traditions. As
evident from other narratives of A
Passage to India and Ibn ul Vaqt,
Muslims are found distraught between the lands of India and Pakistan, not
inherently because of the religious setting of the countries but the emotional attachment
of the people with the land. Having lived in sub-continent for hundreds of
years, it is their homeland and their identity, amidst the persecutions
inflicted upon them by the Hindus and the British imperialists. So when they
were asked to leave their legacy behind and move to a new homeland that was
named as the Islamic Republic, it is easy to understand why the characters in
the novel Basti are more hesitant
than enthusiastic about migrating. The continuous references to the burning of
the old house and the belongings that the characters carried from India to
Pakistan are reminiscent of their affiliation with the past.
Thus for me, Basti is more inclined towards highlighting the
spiritual anchor of permanence than a physical one and describes the journey of
the characters towards it.
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