My father often says that Ramachandra Guha is his favourite author. One of his most prized possessions is his collection of almost every work by Guha, ranging from his books on Indian history and politics, Gandhi, environmentalism, and democracy.
I was definitely familiar with Guha's name, through my many explorations in my father's study as a child. However, until fairly recently, I had not read any of his works.
Guha's Speaking with Nature (by Harper Collins) published in October 2024, avowedly after taking almost three decades of research and process of formation.
The book's premise is simple: it looks at ten (originally four) thinkers who Guha considers "environmentalists before the age of environmentalism" for "what they said and how they said it." It challenges the premise that environmental awareness is a luxury that only developed countries can afford.
The Thinkers
Normally, one would assume that the thinkers in question were tribal leaders, farmers, or, for that matter, any other figure whom we meld into our understanding of 'living with nature.'
However, the individuals in this book come from diverse social and intellectual backgrounds, with some of them not even being Indian at all. In reality, one can argue that the only thing they have in common is the overarching ethos that is Indian environmentalism.
Take, for instance, the first chapter — coincidentally my favourite — dedicated to the Bard of Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore himself. Guha sheds light on Tagore's nature-loving side, an integral part of his personality that is usually overlooked. This chapter showcases the Nobel Laureate's philosophy when it came to technological development and his stance on issues such as the environmental consequences of imperialism.
The book also features chapters on individuals such as the sociologist Radhakamal Mukerjee, economist J.C. Kumarappa, The scientists Albert and Gabrielle Howard, Hindu ideologue K.M. Munshi, Gandhian disciple Madeline Slade (more popularly known as Mira), naturalist M. Krishnan, and Scottish town planner Patrick Geddes.
The Book's Structure
Guha ensures clarity in his message by abstaining from the usage of any mystical or aesthetic language while talking about the individuals and their ideas. Consequently, each chapter of the book has been written in accessible and straightforward prose.
Guha also avoids portraying the thinkers as individuals with prophetic capabilities. He highlights that while their actions certainly reflected their concerns regarding nature, it does not correlate with an insight into current ecological science.
While summarising the ideologies of various thinkers, the book explores a wide array of topics. However, some major themes still persist, such as a shared denunciation of imperialism and the dominant views of imperialists.
Whereas individuals such as Radhakamal Mukerjee and Verrier Elvin respected indigenous practices such as shifting cultivation, others such as J.C. Kumarappa and The Howards (Albert and Gabrielle Howard) viewed India as a 'land of villages' and sought to uplift peasants or, in the case of the Howards, aid in their development.
Since every individual in the book has some published works to their name, Guha's work frequently quotes and subsequently elaborates on the teachings of the thinkers to create an engaging and well-structured narrative.
Love for Nature
Another distinctive aspect of Guha's prose is that he puts added emphasis on the point in the thinkers' lives when they first developed their affinity for nature. As an example, in the chapter on English priest-turned-anthropologist Verrier Elvin, Guha illustrates how, as a young man, Elvin frequently carried a copy of Wordsworth's poetry in his pocket.
Guha believes that Wordsworth's influence on Elvin nurtured his love for nature — which led him to embrace India's tribal cultures later in his life.
Additionally, the book serves as an exposition, highlighting the shortcomings of certain individuals. For instance, writes Guha, decline in the arrival of birds at Keoladeo was attributed by M. Krishnan, the Tamil naturalist, who called for a ban on the entry of cows and buffaloes in the sanctuary, ostensibly to "help the birds flourish even better".
However, as a report by the BNHS revealed, the grazing restrictions had led to an overgrowth of grass, depleting the soil's nutrients. As a result, the decreased availability of resources contributed to a sharp decline in bird numbers.
Conclusion
Among the many ideas of the thinkers, some stand out for their relevance even today, particularly their critiques of imperialism, industrialization, and humanity's relationship with nature.
Guha's work is refreshing. Its engaging prose makes for enjoyable reading. The constant shift from thinker to thinker exposes the reader to a diverse array of ideas, providing fresh perspectives. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in uncovering unknown parts of Indian history.
(Muhammad Awan is a student of 10th standard.)
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