Paper short abstract:

This paper experiments with frequency to work on the concept of an Anthropocene-present. Using, Rutherford’s idea of frequency, this paper presents the application of frequency to two particular temporalities: time of death and burial and the time of flood.

Paper long abstract:

This paper experiments with frequency to work on the concept of a Anthropocene-present. This current epoch exerts two ‘frequent’ pressures on the chars (river-islands) on the tributaries of the Brahmaputra River. Firstly, the frequency of erratic floods have increased which results in more untimely deaths. Secondly, the lack of burial spaces in the wet season overwhelms the community. The materiality of frequency can be translated to the unavailability of land and the availability of burial spaces. Whereas, the frequency of emotions, deriving from the two (Deleuzian) folded concepts entangles with their meta-mythical worlds which shapes their quotidian lives. The burgeoning relationalities with religion and the structures of government change as this situation accelerates. The concept of frequency moves the material, relational and affective entanglement during the temporality of the flood. Using, Rutherford’s idea of frequency, this paper presents the application of frequency to two particular temporalities: time of death and burial and the time of flood. While, the perception of the flood is attenuated to the ontology of the Chardweller, the erratic nature of recent floods tests their social relationalities vis a vis the occurrence of deaths. Emotions, identities and religious rites are similarly tested. How can frequencies grasp this specific time period? While, this experience is not isolated from other phenomenon, the frequencies during the intersection of two temporalities open-up a room to question socio-climatic futures in an already dynamic riverine condition. This paper seeks to depart from the oft-used apparatus of diffraction- derived from Bohr’s quantum theory and made anthropological by Karen Barad- to understand epistemology and ontology of Anthropocene-islands. Instead, the paper shows the role of frequencies in understanding the pressures of a particular bracket of time in the present.