Kanthapura

The entirety of the book takes place within the village of Kanthapura. Achakka describes it as "high on the Ghats it is, high up the steep mountains that face the cool Arabian seas, up the Malabar coast it is, up Mangalore and Puttur and many a centre of cardamom and coffee, rice and sugar cane" (1). The surrounding environment is very important to the villagers' understanding of their home; they are fundamentally connected to the landscape of Kanthapura. This is evidenced by the goddess Kenchamma, who they pray to for successful harvests and good weather. The village has 24 houses and is representative of the political landscape of India: there a Brahmin, Pariah, Potters', Weavers', and Sudra quarter. The village is defined by these caste distinctions; people are only allowed within certain homes or places, as determined by their caste.

When Moorthy arrives, however, the very layout of the village...