OCCIDENTAL ELEMENTS IN KAMALA MARKANDAYA’S NECTAR IN A SIEVE

Abstract

Kamala Markandaya’s Nectar in a Sieve explores the complexities of Indian rural life, but it also incorporates Occidental (Western) elements, such as modernity, industrialization, and Western philosophical ideals. Nectar in a Sieve intricately weaves Western elements into the fabric of its narrative, presenting a complex interplay between traditional Indian values and Western influences. This paper examines the presence of these elements within the novel and how they influence the traditional Indian setting. It also shows how Occidental themes of industrialization, individualism, and modernity are portrayed in the novel and their impact on traditional Indian life. Through a comparative analysis of Indian traditions and Western influences, this article investigates Markandaya's nuanced portrayal of cultural hybridity, colonization, and modernization and explores the tensions and synergies between Eastern and Western cultural paradigms as depicted by Markandaya.