EXISTENTIAL DIMENSIONS IN ANITA RAU BADAMI’s TAMARIND WOMAN

The fights for the existence have always been the prime focus for all the species and with no exceptions to the humankind as well. Darwinian Theory of the ‘survival of the fittest' emphasizes the aspect of natural selection. He also customized the phrase “struggle for existence” in his book ‘On the Origin of Species' published in 1859. From then, this theory of the ‘Struggle for Existence' has been the talk of the literary town as well. The 19th century saw the emergence of a movement named as Existentialism. It suggests that human beings are themselves responsible for all their choices and wills. Sartre is namedas the first person who brought this philosophy in literature. Soren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus are known as the initiators of the philosophy. Later on, the mid of 20thcentury saw the rise of the new sensibility of Postcolonial Indian English writers in the same direction. Arun Joshi, Kamala Markandaya, Anita Desai, Jhumpa Lahiri are named as the finest and prevalent ink slingers who have shown their fascination towards drawing this philosophy through their characters. Anita Rau Badami though relatively a new name also exhibits her inclination for this doctrine in her works. An Instigator of four excellent novels- Tamarind Mem, the Hero's Walk, Can you hear the Nightbird Call and Tell it to the Trees, Badami has her thoughtful way of looking at things, perceiving them and presenting them. The present study attempts to explore how Badami's characters choose different ways to survive and preserve their individualities. The Study limits its discussion to one of her most remarkable novel, Tamarind Mem, also known as Tamarind Woman, in the light of existentialism