Making a Commonsense over Roots and Routes in a Time of Emotional Turmoil: The Marwaris and the Nationalist Use of Kunti’s Suffering Self to Construct the Imagery of an Idealized Indian Womanhood

Abstract

In any description of long-distance overland or sea voyage taking an individual from one’s own place of origin to a new alien destination, the twin issues of roots and routes come to occupy the centre stage. In the contemporary times, scholars on diaspora studies have premised that these twin issues amply explicate the emotional bonds and affiliation that connect or disconnect an individual from one’s homeland or adopted place of residence. But, it is extremely doubtful, whether singularly any issue can capture the many sided narratives of diasporic existence. I would like to argue that the trauma that Kunti was subjected to in Fiji, was something which went beyond these tropes, which have found favour from cultural theorists.