IDENTITY FLUX: EXPLORING DIASPORIC LIFE IN SUNETRA GUPTA’S NOVELS A SIN OF COLOR AND MEMORIES OF RAIN

Abstract
This study delves into the nuanced exploration of diasporic life in novels A Sin of Color and Memories
of Rain by the acclaimed author Sunetra Gupta. Through an analysis of these works, this study
investigates the portrayal of diasporic individuals grappling with the complex dynamics of identity
formation and belonging. Gupta’s fiction vividly depicts the irresolute position of diasporic characters
who find themselves unable to conform to a singular, elite definition of self. Instead, they navigate a
hyphenated nearness between the two characterising selves, highlighting the inherent personality crisis
that becomes a normative aspect of diasporic existence. Central to Gupta’s portrayal is the tension
between the dual perceptions of the self as both local and outsider. These conflicting positions induce
feelings of unease and dislocation within a diasporic life; however, Gupta suggests that such conditions
can be navigated through the ongoing process of self-moulding. Through the lens of Gupta’s narratives,
this study reveals a shifting plane of acceptance for diasporic Indians, showcasing not only their
increasing recognition by Western societies but also their adaptation to this evolving landscape of
acceptance through the continuous production of identities. This abstract encapsulates the central themes
and findings of the research, providing a glimpse into the intricate exploration of diasporic life within
Gupta’s novels, A Sin of Color and Memories of Rain.