Volume V Special Issue II May 2025

Name of Author : Ms.M.Mohanalakshmi, Dr. T. Priya

Title of the paper : Traditions Reclaimed The Intersection of Hindu Cultural Practices and Identity in the Indian Diaspora in Ananda Devis Indian Tango

Abstract: This research article explores the intricate role of Hindu cultural and religious traditions in shaping the cultural identity of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, through an analytical reading of Ananda Devis novel Indian Tango. The Indo Mauritian community, one of the largest ethnic groups on the island, maintains a strong connection to its ancestral heritage through enduring religious, cultural, and social practices. An author of Indian descent, Ananda Devi is known for her exploration of cultural identities, seamlessly weaves Hindu rituals, beliefs, and practices into her narrative. Devis deliberate choice of Delhi, India, as the backdrop of this novel offers a symbolic and emotional return to ancestral roots, further underscoring the diasporic longing for cultural continuity. The novel offers vivid depictions of Indian customs, daily routines, and monuments, reflecting the deep rooted cultural consciousness among Indo Mauritians. The character of Subhadra Mishra becomes a lens through which the novel addresses the tensions between traditional Hindu practices and the complexities within an urban Indian context. The study explores the preservation of rituals, language and cuisine, emphasizing their role in the construction of cultural identity. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of many theorists this research illustrates how these cultural practices function as bridge to ancestral heritage. The novel demonstrates how Hindu traditions are crucial in reaffirming belonging and redefining individual identity in the face of an increasingly complex cultural landscape. Indian Tango underscores how Hindu traditions remain central to navigating the intersections of heritage and identity.

Keywords : Hindu traditions, Religious practices, Diasporic identity, Indian heritage, cultural identity

DOI :

Page Number : 83-88