THE ROLE OF REGIONAL CULTURE IN SHAPING INDIAN ENGLISH LITERATURE (KEY IJP************025)

• Neha Kaushik, Dr. Lokesh Singh

Abstract

India has always been diverse in terms of land, culture, language, tradition, and more. It constitutes multiple religions, regions, societies as well as people. The diversity in these multitudinal aspects have contributed to Indias linguistic range as well. The Indian literature brings about the peculiarities emerging from these diversities. The regional literature therefore becomes a document containing records of many respective and specific details. Indian English literature, a dynamic and diverse field, is deeply influenced by the country's rich tapestry of regional cultures. India, with its myriad languages, traditions, customs, and histories, provides a fertile ground for writers to blend indigenous cultural elements with the English language. Regional culture shapes Indian English literature by introducing unique narrative voices, local idioms, folklore, religious practices, and social norms, enriching the literary landscape. The interaction between the global and the local in this literary tradition allows for the exploration of identity, colonial legacy, and postcolonial realities. From the rural landscapes of the South to the bustling cities of the North, the infusion of regional culture in Indian English literature not only highlights the diversity of India but also contributes to a deeper understanding of its socio-cultural complexitiesThis paper attempts to look at those peculiar aspects that constitute regional literature and impact Indian English Literature. The research is done through looking at the depiction of the local traditions, rituals and influence of folklore on themes and narratives in Indian English Literature. The paper follows the methodology of literary analysis, where works of major authors are analyzed closely to identify regional influence on language, theme and structure.