NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

The novel Nectar in a Sieve was written by Kamala Markandya and published in the year 1954. Nectar in a Sieve summary will give us an idea about the novel.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

The story is narrated by Rukmani, who is now an old widow. Rukmani’s father was the village headman. He was a rich and influential person. Hence all her elder sisters were married with due pomp and show. But when it was time for Rukmani’s marriage, her father was no longer the headman. He had lost his power and wealth. Hence, she was married to a poor tenant farmer Nathan.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

Rukmani’s first child was a girl, named Irawaddy. She was upset as she could not give her husband any boy child for the next six years. Troubled Rukmani visits her ill mother, and there she meets Kenny, a foreign doctor. She gets her infertility treated by him but does not disclose it to her husband. Very soon she became pregnant again, and one after another gave birth to five sons. 

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

Suddenly a drastic change occurred in the village which brought a massive change in the lives of the villagers. This change resulted from the construction of a tannery in the village. Her two eldest sons, Arjun and Thambi joined the tannery against the wish of Rukmani. However, their job in the tannery helped the family a great deal. But they were eventually dismissed from their job for leading a labor strike.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE

Irawaddy on receiving her marriageable age, Nathan and Rukmani started searching for a good match for her. Old Granny found a suitable match for Ira. After the marriage ceremony came to an end, the bride left for her new abode with the groom and his family.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

One day Irawaddy and her husband came to their house. At first Rukmani was happy seeing them. But she became upset when she learnt that her son-in-law had actually left there forever. It had been five years of their marriage and she had not given birth to any child. Rukmani again seeks the help of Kenny for Ira. Although Kenny treated her, it was too late, since her husband had taken another woman for his wife. However Rukmani becomes pregnant again and gives birth to her last child, Kuti, a son.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

Ira starts taking care of Kuti. Problem arises in the tannery and few of the labourers including Arjun and Thambi were dismissed. They however got a job in Ceylon and left for the foreign land. Although Nathan supported his two eldest sons, Rukmani was against there decision. Kenny found a placement for Murugan in the city. Rukmani was very upset for her sons but Nathan advised her to see the joyful side of life too. He drew her attention towards the upcoming harvest and the plenty of food that they were to have soon.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

But instead of a good harvest there was a severe drought in the village. It did not rain for many days. The river dried up to a small stream, and the water levels in the wells also dropped down. The landlord however pressurized the villagers to either pay their rents or give up their lands. Rukmani and Nathan had to sell almost everything they had to pay the landlord and retain their land. After the drought destroyed all the crops, the rain came but it was of no use then. There was starvation everywhere in the village.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

Rukmani, one night was woken up by Kunthi. She blackmailed her for some rice by threatening to tell Nathan about her secret meetings with Kenny. Rukmani had to give her the rice. She then went to take out the rice which she had kept hidden under the ground. But she went mad in anger when she found the whole store of rice missing. She was shocked to learn that her husband, whom she always thought to have been faithful to her also was captivated by the charms of Kunthi. Nathan told her that he was the father of Kunthi’s sons. Rukmani too confided in her husband about Kenny. Both Rukmani and Nathan felt relieved sharing their secrets with each other.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE 

In absence of food they started eating anything they got. Their health deteriorated but little Kuti suffered the most. During this time, the guards of the tannery killed their another son Raja. He was found stealing a skin and the guard hit on his head. Raja’s death was followed by the death of Kuti. Although Ira prostitutes herself to feed Kuti, she could not prevent his death. Ultimately a good harvest of rice arrives but not really enough to save Rukmani’s son.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

Kenny returns to the village after a long absence with money to build a hospital. He offers Rukmani to train and take up her son Selvam as his assistant. Nathan, who was fifty now is suffering from rheumatism. Irawaddy gave birth to an albino child.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

On the tenth day of the child’s birth, friends and neighbours were invited to his naming ceremony. Sacrabani was the name given to the child. Kenny was present and advised them not to consider Sacrabani as a child of sin. Old Granny was also present and blessed the child. Kali however passed unkind remarks without having any consideration for Ira. Selvam protested against Kali’s inhuman behaviour towards Ira. He was full of love for Sacrabani.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE

The worst consequence of the drought was their incapability to pay the landlord. The landlord sold their land at a handsome price to the tannery who were in need of land. It was decided that Nathan and Rukmani would go to the city and take shelter with Murugan while Ira would stay back in the village along with her child. Selvam promised to look after them. It was a great shock for Nathan who was already ill and was not strong enough as he was before.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

The scenario now shifts to the city from the village. Here we get distressful accounts of the poverty and penury in the city. It is a very big city and they face a great difficulty in finding out the whereabouts of Murugan. At night they took shelter in a temple and accept the food distributed to beggars as charity. In the morning they found their bundle stolen and they have become beggars in true sense. They however continued with their search of Murugan.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

Puli, a nine year old boy helped them in their search. At last with the help of Puli they located Koil Street, the address of their son. But another shock awaited them there. Ammu, the wife of Murugan alone lives there with her children. Murugan had deserted them and his wife knew nothing about his whereabouts. Ammu herself was poor and starving with her children and hence could not provide food and shelter for them. They once again felt forlorn in that big city. And returned back to the temple and lived on charity like common beggars.

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

They knew they had to earn to return back to their village. Initially Rukmani set up as a letter-writer but couldn’t earn more than an anna or two now and then. They knew in that way they could never earn enough to return back to their village. Once more Puli took them to a place where big stones were to be broken into small pieces. Here they worked as stone-breakers and sometimes even earned as much as a rupee in one day. They were now hopeful of soon having saved enough for the return date to their village. But once more Fate played cruel tricks on them. One day there was heavy rains. Nathan who was already suffering from fever got drenched and died during the night. Rukmani was now left all alone in this wide world. 

NECTAR IN A SIEVE SUMMARY

At last Rukmani returned to the village with Puli. She loved him no less than her own sons. Selvam and Ira both welcomed Rukmani and Puli. Selvam assured Rukmani that he could take care of them.Time is said to be a great healer. With the passing of time Rukmani too regained her spiritual calm and tranquility. It was then that she narrated her life-story.