Cultural Encounter of West and East: Valorizing Eastern Culture in Gita Mehta’s Karma Cola

Abstract

The cultural encounter between the diametrically opposite east and west in the context of human relationships and cultural values constantly engage the readers of Karma Cola. The dichotomy lies in the modes of thought and the ways of life adopted by the people belonging to these cultures. In this connection, Mehta’s novel attempts to explore the impacts of spiritual and material values on human existence. While foregrounding the traditional spiritual heritage of Indian society Mehta sustains the orientalized image of the east. However, by making fun of the wave of foreigners swarming into India in the sixties in search of spiritual bliss, she underscores the very orientalist stereotypes. In doing so, her obvious focus is on the exploration of different aspects of Indian life and culture, it’s past and present.