Cultural Hybridity and Identity Formation in Indian Literary Narratives
Sr No:
Page No:
6-8
Language:
English
Authors:
Dr. Tamanna Khatoon*
Received:
2026-02-06
Accepted:
2026-03-02
Published Date:
2026-03-09
Abstract:
The concept of cultural hybridity has emerged as an important framework for understanding identity formation in
postcolonial and diasporic literature. In the context of Indian literary narratives, hybridity reflects the interaction between diverse
cultural traditions, colonial histories, and modern global influences. Indian literature in English often portrays characters negotiating
multiple identities shaped by history, migration, and social transformation. This research paper examines how cultural hybridity
contributes to identity formation in selected Indian literary narratives. The study focuses on the works of prominent writers such as
Salman Rushdie, Jhumpa Lahiri, Amitav Ghosh, and Arundhati Roy, whose writings explore the complex interactions between
tradition and modernity, homeland and diaspora, and personal and cultural identities. Through an analysis of narratives such as
Midnight's Children, The Namesake, The Shadow Lines, and The God of Small Things, this paper explores how characters navigate
hybrid cultural spaces and construct identities that challenge rigid notions of nationality, ethnicity, and tradition. The study argues that
cultural hybridity functions as both a source of conflict and a creative space for identity negotiation. Indian literary narratives reveal
that identity is not a fixed or singular entity but an evolving process shaped by historical experiences, social interactions, and cultural
exchanges. By examining these literary representations, the paper highlights the significance of hybridity as a central theme in
contemporary Indian literature and its role in reflecting the complexities of postcolonial and globalized identities.
Keywords:
Cultural Hybridity, Identity Formation, Indian Literature, Postcolonialism, Diaspora, Globalization, Narrative Identity