Thematic concepts in the select novels of Amitav Ghosh –Diaspora Literature

Abstract

This paper deals with the themes of identity diaspora, political struggle, communal violence, love and loss in the novels of Amitav Ghosh. There is a reference to Halls theory. Diaspora identity can be identified as the changing and adopting concept depending upon the circumstances and situation of an individual when he is displaced away from his native land. All his novels explore the arbitration of identity which fluctuates between his self and the outer world. Amitav Ghosh is diasporia and quintessential in disapora identity. He presents various cultures in his novels. All his stories encounter different cultures caught in a diaspora identity. Diaspora identity since the time of colonization has increased with mobility of people across the world. They started to mingle and mix with the different cultures and value system. There was a burning desire and need to redefine and relocate ones identity due to various reasons like cultural homogenization, hybridity and ethno cultural migration. The focus here is on displacement, migration, exile problem crisis, quest, alienation, nostalgia and emotional perspectives are associated with diaspora identity and displacement. The context also focuses on subaltern aspects. Characters chosen from the lower strata of society place themselves into the historical events and express their sufferings and fight for survival. It throws light upon the masses at the base levels of society than among the elite. Ghoshs penchant for obliterating borders both in terms of themes as well as generic experimentation has been the crux of his major novels. This paper will justify the topic with particular reference to substantiate and validate.