Between Two Worlds: The Labyrinthine Echoes of Cultural Identity in Indian Writing in English

Abstract

The landscape of Indian Writing in English (IWE) serves as a dynamic and contested site for the articulation of cultural identity, a process inextricably linked to the negotiation between the inherited traditions
of a rich and ancient civilisation and the disruptive forces of global modernity. Delves into the complex and often paradoxical ways in which IWE authors grapple with this central tension. It examines how themes of home, displacement, language, history, and memory are repurposed and reimagined to construct a sense of self that is neither wholly traditional nor entirely modern. The study explores the concept of “cultural hybridity” as a key framework for understanding these negotiations, moving beyond a simple East-West dichotomy to a more nuanced appreciation of the multiple layers of identity. Through a close reading of selected works by prominent IWE authors, this paper argues that the voices of cultural identity in this literary corpus are not monolithic but represent a cacophony of individual and collective experiences, each contributing to a unique and evolving narrative of what it means to be Indian in the 21st century. The article is structured into ten distinct points, each a deep dive into a specific facet of this negotiation, from the subversion of colonial legacies to the reimagination of mythology. It concludes that IWE is not merely a reflection of a changing society but an active agent in shaping its cultural consciousness.