Mumbai as Palimpsest: Spatial Fluidity and Cultural Production in Shantaram

Dr. Sini Jose, Dr. Denny Joseph

Abstract 

Place is perceived as a dynamic force and a social product in the present-day academic discourses. Place as a literary element, draws considerable attention in contemporary fiction. Gregory David Roberts’ ‘Shantaram’, published in 2003, thrives with the spirit of an urban space. The novel, influenced by the real events in author’s life, depicts the central character Lindsay’s escape from an Australian prison, his arrival in Mumbai, his imprisonment in Arthur Road Prison, and his dealings with Mumbai underworld. The novel is considered as an epic narrative that mirrors the material and human geography of Bombay/Mumbai. It offers an insight into the culturally produced nature of places. Spatiality is presented as being caught up in the unending process of cultural production. The landscape that ‘Shantaram’ presents is a product of cultural forces. The novel projects diverse places in the everyday city that are subject to the process of cultural writing. The novel underlines the political, dynamic and relative nature of the urban geography. The urban space presented in the novel is in a state of constant spatial transformation. It is constantly marked with the presence of diverse spatiality. A cultural geographic reading of Roberts’ ‘Shantaram’ with a spatial frame work underscores the fluid nature of urban landscape. 

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Published: May 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 05]

Cognitive Roots of Folklore: Understanding the Interplay between Mind Culture and Traditional Narratives

Dr. Sarbani Sankar Panigrahi

Abstract 

This article explores the complex relationship between folklore and mind culture, focusing on how traditional narratives are shaped by cognitive processes. Folklore, as a repository of collective wisdom and social memory, plays a crucial role in the development and transmission of cultural knowledge. By examining the cognitive roots of folklore, the article investigates how stories, myths, and legends are not only vehicles for cultural identity but also function as cognitive tools that influence perception, memory, and understanding of the world. The article examines how traditional narratives serve as cognitive templates, organizing and simplifying complex social and natural phenomena. These narratives are passed down through generations, reinforcing shared values, norms, and social roles while also adapting to changing cultural contexts. The article also explores how folklore impacts individual and collective memory, particularly in how myths and stories are internalized and recalled within the cultural consciousness. Through the mind culture, this study highlights the dynamic interaction between individual cognition and the broader cultural narratives that shape it. By understanding these cognitive processes, the article offers new insights into the function of folklore not only as a cultural artifact but as an active component in the cognitive landscape of human societies.

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Published: May 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 05]