Introduction:
There is the role of the tannery in Nectar in a Sieve. In Nectar in a Sieve, Kamala Markandaya presents the tannery as a powerful symbol of change that intrudes upon the quiet, traditional life of an Indian village. Its establishment marks the beginning of industrialization and modern economic forces that disrupt the age-old agrarian rhythm on which the villagers depend.
For Rukmani and her family, the tannery represents both hope and hardship: it offers new opportunities for employment and income, yet simultaneously brings moral decay, environmental damage, rising prices, and the gradual erosion of human values and community bonds.
The importance of the tannery lies in its role as an agent of transformation and conflict. It highlights the tension between tradition and progress, exposing how unchecked modernization can deepen poverty and suffering rather than alleviate it. Through the tannery, Markandaya critiques materialistic development and emphasizes the vulnerability of rural life when confronted with powerful external forces, making it central to the novel’s social, economic, and thematic concerns.
East–West Encounter in Kamala Markandaya’s Novels:
Kamala Markandaya explores the theme of the East–West encounter in several of her novels. Although British rule came to an end and the colonizers returned home, their influence in the form of art, culture, and commerce continued to shape Indian life. Ironically, even the leaders who struggled for India’s independence were unable to protect the country from the lasting effects of Western cultural and economic practices. In the name of modern development, they encouraged an unthinking rush towards industrialization. In Nectar in a Sieve, this Western model of industrial growth is symbolically embodied in the tannery.
Construction of the Tannery and Mixed Reactions of Villagers:
A tannery was planned to come up in the village. Bullock-carts loaded with bricks arrived, and villagers gathered to watch them being unloaded. Kali, her husband, Kunthi, Janki, and the old Granny were all present. Opinions were divided among the people. Some welcomed the tannery as a boon for the village, while others considered it a misfortune. Labourers were brought in from nearby villages for its construction. Temporary huts were put up in a field, where the workers stayed along with their families.
Completion of the Tannery and Rise in Prices:
The work was finished in nearly two months. During this period, the labourers put up small huts on a maidan, where their wives and children stayed with them. Once the tannery building was completed, the workers departed, leaving the huts deserted in the open field. A week went by, yet no one returned either to the tannery or to the abandoned huts.
This situation troubled Rukmani and Nathan, who had been expecting their presence. With the labourers gone, there was no one left to purchase vegetables from Rukmani. Meanwhile, the cost of all necessities in the village had risen because of the influence of the townspeople, whom Rukmani strongly resented.
Rukmani’s Anger Against the Town Men:
“Never, never… They may live in our midst, but I can never accept them, for they lay their hands upon us and we are all turned from tilling to barter and hoard our silver since we cannot spent it, and see our children go without the food that their children gorge, and it is only in the hope that one day things will be as they were and we have done these things. Now that they have gone let us forget them and return to our ways.”
Arrival of Town Men and Kunthi’s Approval:
After a few days, new groups of people began to arrive. The deserted huts were soon filled by them and their families, and townsfolk started settling there. Kunthi welcomed these changes with delight. She believed that, being a city-bred woman, it was only right that the village should develop into a town. Soon there would be shops, tea stalls, and a bioscope. Little by little, the village would grow into a small town. When Rukmani protested, Kunthi replied dismissively, “You are a village woman… you cannot understand.”
Employment in the Tannery: A Boon or a Curse:
Kunthi’s two sons found well-paid jobs in the tannery, which brought an end to her days of hardship. To her, the tannery was a blessing that transformed her life. In contrast, Rukmani viewed it as a blight that ruined the peace and purity of her village.
Conflict Between Rukmani and Kunthi’s Views:
According to Rukmani due to tannery, the village was ruined for money power was reduced and everything was costly. But Kunthi contradicted her: “Words and words… Stupid words. No wonder they call us senseless peasant women; but I am not and never will be. There is no earth in my breeding.”
Expansion of the Tannery and Life of the Tanner-Men:
The construction activity at the tannery went on, as another structure was being raised there. Gradually, the work extended into the nearby village as well. The tanners brought large quantities of animal hides to be processed. These hides were treated, coloured, and then sent back to the town for commercial use.
Among the workers were nine or ten Muslims. They lived apart from the rest of the villagers, as their way of life differed from that of others. They laboured hard, often working late into the night. Their women observed purdah and were rarely seen in public. No one had the chance to see their faces, for according to their religious beliefs, only their husbands were permitted to do so.
Rukmani’s Encounter with a Muslim Woman and Breaking of Prejudice:
Once Rukmani went there to sell vegetables. She was alone. From one house a lady called her in to buy vegetables. Now Rukmani got opportunity to see the face of one of them.
“Her face was pale, the bones small and fine. Her eyes were pale too, a curious light brown matching her silky hair.”
Arjun’s Desire to Work in the Tannery:
It broke the prejudice that they were very beautiful. Arjun wanted to work in tannery. a Rukmani asked Arjun to tell the reason for it. He replied: “You do everything you can. It is not a enough. I am tired of hunger and I am tired of seeing my brothers hungry. There is never enough, especially since Ira came to live with us.”
Rukmani’s Reluctant Permission:
Hearing it, Rukmani had to say: “Go if you must. You speak like a man although you are a child still. But I do not know whether you can obtain work at the tannery. People say S that they have all the labour they want.”
Employment of Arjun and Thambi:
Arjun mentioned that Kunthi’s son had promised to help him secure a job in the tannery. Rukmani disliked the idea of Arjun depending on Kunthi or her son for assistance. Instead, she expressed confidence that Dr. Kennington could be of great help, as he had considerable influence there. A few days later, Arjun was employed in the tannery, and soon Thambi also joined him.
This development brought an ironic change to the family’s life. Although the increased income freed them from poverty, Nathan felt unhappy because Arjun and Thambi no longer helped him with farming. Nevertheless, the boys proved their goodness by supporting the family with their earnings. Gradually, the family once again began to lead a comfortable life.
Workers’ Strike and Unemployment:
One evening, Arjun and Thambi returned home much later than usual. Nathan and Rukmani waited for them anxiously, worried about the delay. When questioned, the boys explained that they had demanded an increase in their wages. The employers had accepted their demand, but only on the condition that the time meant for lunch would be counted as working hours.
Within a few days, a strike broke out in the tannery, as the workers demanded better pay. The masters issued a stern warning, declaring that anyone who did not return to work would be replaced by new labourers. Fear spread among many workers, and they soon went back to their jobs. However, some refused to surrender and stayed away, as a result of which new men were hired at lower wages.
Arjun and Thambi chose not to return and were left without employment. Their fate was shared by many villagers who were also dismissed from the tannery. Their families suffered severe hunger. In Kali’s household, only one member managed to keep his job. Nathan, however, stood by his sons and remarked, “Our children must be free to act according to their own will, not for our advantage. Is it not enough that they are already suffering?”
Decision to Go to Ceylon:
Arjun and Thambi learnt that there was a good job with higher wages in Ceylon. Nathan feared Ceylon was hundreds of miles away from the village. Arjun informed that all the arrangements of journey would be made by the masters. Against the will of Nathan and Rukmani, they decided to go to Ceylon Island.
Tragic Death of Raja:
One day Rukmani’s son Raja was caught stealing in tannery. He was beaten to death. Nathan, Rukmani, Ira all were very sad. After 2-3 days two officials came from the tannery to Nathan’s home. They wanted to satisfy Nathan and Rukmani that the entire fault was of Raja and watch man only fulfilled his duty by stopping him (Raja). So they were not bound to pay any type of claim regarding this.
Tannery Officials’ Argument:
“You cannot blame my son,” I said wearily. “We live from hand to mouth, as you can see……. there is wealth here, such as your goods might have bought.”
“I am not blaming your son alone,” he said carefully, “but of course it is well known r sons have been troublemakers. Now we do not want any trouble from you, you understand. The lad was caught in the act of stealing, maybe, as you say, for the first time in a moment of weakness-still, he was caught, and for the consequences that followed, one was to blame except himself. He should not have struggled. In these circumstances you naturally have no claim on us.”
Question of Compensation and Rukmani’s Final Response:
“Claim?” I said. “I have made no claim. I do not understand.”
He made a gesture of impatience. “You may think of it later, and try to get compensation. I warn you, it will not work.”
“Compensation,” I thought, “What compensation is there for death for felt confused, I did not understand what he was getting at. There was a pause.”
Hearing this Rukmani said that she was not going to claim any compensation. What she lost was invaluable.