Technologies of the Self and the DNA
of a New Manipuri Identity in Jodha C Sanasam’s The Potent
DNA (2009)
Ph. Sanamacha Sharma
ABSTRACT
Jodha C Sanasam's novel, The Potent DNA offers a
narrative of Dr. Ayush's life, covering the history of Manipur from
the late 1960s through the early 2000s. Dr. Ayush's introspective
journey highlights his concern with subjectivity, the dynamics of
social mobility, and the impact of national and transnational travel
on his perceptions. Dr. Ayush's pursuit of self-understanding and
identity formation can be interpreted through Michel Foucault's
technologies of the self, reflecting the ways individuals actively
shape their own identities within specific power structures.
Furthermore, the exploration of self-identity in the context of a
changing society aligns with Anthony Giddens's theories of modernity
and self-identity, emphasizing the individual's struggle to maintain
a coherent sense of self amidst societal transformations. The
concept of self-fashioning, as articulated by Stephen Greenblatt,
also finds relevance in Dr. Ayush's journey, as he consciously
crafts and modifies his identity in response to his environment.
These theoretical connections are intertwined with Dr. Ayush's
professional life as a medical doctor, his personal aspirations for
advancement, and his evolving perspective on the volatile political
and social environment that defines Manipur. The novel proposes that
the very "DNA" of Manipuri society has become tainted, plagued by
corruption and violence. It also suggests that only through the
introduction of a healthy replacement, a revitalized societal ethos,
can Manipur hope to recover from its current state and pave the way
for a more just and harmonious future. The corrupted DNA serves as a
metaphor for the deep-seated issues hindering the progress and
well-being of the Manipuri people.
Key Words: Technologies of the self, modernity, subjectivity, social
mobility, self-fashioning, DNA
