Myth and Politics of Nationalism: a Postcolonial Reading of the Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This paper provides a postcolonial reading of Shashi Tharoor’s The Great Indian Novel, exploring the complex relationship between myth and nationalism within the context of Indian history and politics. Tharoor reinterprets the Mahabharata as an allegorical narrative that mirrors the political struggles and contradictions of postcolonial India. Through a satirical and intertextual narrative, Tharoor exposes the absurdities of Indian democracy, leadership, and the persistence of colonial legacies in modern governance. By reinterpreting the Mahabharata as an allegory for modern Indian political history, he subverts traditional nationalist narratives, critiquing the flaws and contradictions in India’s journey from colonial rule to independence and beyond. It highlights the novel’s intertextuality, satire, and humor as postcolonial strategies that challenge colonial and neo-colonial legacies while exposing the hypocrisies of Indian democracy and leadership. Tharoor’s characters as political archetypes, representing key figures and events in India’s history. His depiction of Gandhi as Gangaji, humorously critiques the saintly image associated with him while questioning the human flaws underlying his leadership. The Great Indian Novel enriches postcolonial studies by merging myth with political critique, its dense intertextuality may challenge readers unfamiliar with Indian epics or political history.
Authors: Mohit Kumar, Neelam Hooda
Institution: Maharshi Dayanand University
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407038898