Kanthapura as a novel of political and social awakening

In the novel, Rao explains vividly on the evils of the Red Man’s administration in India. The exploitation of the Indians by the colonialists led to the formation of Gandhi’s freedom movement. Most of the action and sufferings of the people of India is demonstrated in the village of Kanthapura, which is located in the southern parts of India. Moorthy, a strong supporter of Gandhi moves to the remote village to mobilize people on the evils of the colonialists in their country. Moorthy forms a Congress, which later forms a large following of villagers against the Red Man’s administration. When villagers demonstrate against the oppression of their masters in the coffee plantations, the government sends its police officers to terrorize the protesters. Many people are killed and wounded in the protests. Moorthy is arrested alongside other freedom fighters for going against the will of the government. Throughout the novel, the reader can understand the hardships Indians had to go through before gaining the independence. There are torture, killings, and unlawful arrests. However, at last, the villagers and Indians at large emerge victorious when they achieve the self-rule.