MAPPING INDIANNESS: MEMORY, NOSTALGIA, AND CULTURAL ROOTS IN THE NARRATIVES OF CONTEMPORARY INDIAN DIASPORIC WOMEN WRITERS

Abstract [English]

The narratives of contemporary Indian diasporic women writers serve as a rich tapestry of memory, nostalgia, and cultural roots, reflecting the complex negotiations of identity in transnational spaces. These literary works intricately map Indianness through personal and collective experiences of migration, displacement, and belonging. The portrayal of homeland is often reconstructed through fragmented recollections, where nostalgia becomes both a source of comfort and a site of longing. The themes of exile, assimilation, and hybridity emerge as crucial markers of the diasporic condition, highlighting the tension between the past and the present. Through evocative storytelling, these authors engage with tradition and modernity, redefining the contours of cultural heritage while grappling with issues of gender, patriarchy, and self-expression. Their works not only document the struggles and resilience of diasporic women but also offer a critical lens on the evolving definitions of home. By weaving together personal histories with larger socio-political narratives, these writers carve out a unique space that bridges multiple worlds, ultimately contributing to a broader discourse on global diaspora and transnational feminism. The present paper is an honest attempt to attract the attention of the readers towards the Mapping Indianness which suggests a cartographic approach to understanding how Indian identity is constructed, negotiated, and preserved in diasporic literature. It implies that identity is not fixed but constantly shaped by personal, cultural, and historical influences. The research scholar further writes that The process of mapping also indicates an exploration of how Indianness manifests in different spaces, times, and circumstances in the lives of Indian women in the diaspora. Indianness refers to the collective cultural, historical, and social identity associated with India and its people.