Food: A Symbol of Identity, A Tool of Exploitation and an Instrument of Control in Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s The Adivasi Will Not Dance

Abstract

Indian writers increasingly engage with cultural studies to investigate how cultural practices and traditions shape and express Indian identities. Within this field, food is recognized as a significant cultural marker that reflects social values, identities, power structures, and relationships. It not only symbolizes tradition and history but also functions as a tool of control, exploitation, and marginalization. In the context of the Santhal community, food plays a crucial role in understanding themes of identity, domination, and resistance. Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, a prominent Santhal writer from Jharkhand, foregrounds the voices, struggles, and cultural richness of the Adivasi community through his narratives. His collection The Adivasi Will Not Dance examines Adivasi identity by portraying the community’s resilience amid displacement and marginalization. This paper analyses the cultural significance of food within the Santhal community and explores how food practices become instruments of power, control, and manipulation. It further argues that food habits are deeply intertwined with cultural identity, shaping and revealing the mechanisms through which dominance is asserted over marginalized groups.