Indian Diaspora in the select Novels of M.G. Vassanji

Abstract

Literary works written by people of many different backgrounds have been profoundly impacted by the diaspora phenomenon. M.G. Vassanji, a famous Indian novelist who was born in East Africa and resided in Canada, explores complex themes in his writings, including cultural conflict, displacement, and identity. In his works, he vividly portrays the mental and emotional anguish that individuals endure as they grapple with the weight of their cultural heritage and the difficulties of adjusting to novel environments. This article will examine a selection of Vassanji's works with the purpose of analyzing his portrayal of the Indian diaspora. The papers will mostly focus on the complexities of cultural hybridity, nostalgia, and the process of developing one's identity. The research team behind this project hopes their findings will shed light on shared challenges and triumphs faced by members of the Indian diaspora during times of migration and cultural identity formation. The Gunny Sack, The Book of Secrets, and No New Land will all be analyzed to accomplish this. Diaspora encompasses not just the physical migration but also the social, psychological, and cultural upheaval that accompanies it. Vassanji depicts his characters as struggling to balance the responsibilities of modern living in distant nations with those of their ancestral heritage. His portrayal of East African Indians exemplifies the ongoing fight to maintain cultural heritage in the face of geographical isolation. In addition to illuminating the history of underappreciated migrant groups, Vassanji explores the politics of inclusion and exclusion in great detail.