Cross-Cultural Interaction in Kamala Markandaya's Novel: Nectar in a Sieve

Abstract

Kamala Markandaya displays common Indian characters whore present complex emotions, feelings and attitudes towards mysteries and the complexities of life. They have common attitudes, superstitions, beliefs and symbols that govern their social relations which are sacred and normally imperative to them. When we look at this aspect of characterization we realize that through this device Markandaya raises those ordinary rural peasants to the level of universal types.Though people are ordinary peasant but they are battling with all their might against a malevolent fate determining their life before which they as other human beings they eventually bow down, and whose verdict they invariably accept. This is best presented through the life of Rukmani and Nathan and Kenny's characterization.Dr Kenny is though the representative character of west who is uprooted from his original homeland. He keenly observes and outlets the predicaments of Rukmani's villagers. Character like Kenny gets solace from his fearful and hunting past by the meaningful present. Though Rukmani is traditional, spiritual Indian woman but it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t know anything about western culture but rather she is always prepared to adopt the good aspects of western culture where she feels it being supportive in her existence and it is all because of Kenny's western philosophical persuasion.