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An Analytical Study on Urbanization and Identity Crisis in Modern Assamese Literature
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Social Science, Literature and Humanities
Abstract
Modern Assamese literature has undergone remarkable transformation under the impact of urbanization, globalization, and socio-economic change. Rapid urban growth has reshaped traditional Assamese society, resulting in cultural dislocation, psychological alienation, and a growing crisis of identity among individuals and communities. This study analytically examines how modern Assamese writers portray the conflict between traditional rural values and emerging urban lifestyles in novels, short stories, and poetry. The paper explores themes such as migration, unemployment, cultural fragmentation, consumerism, loneliness, and loss of indigenous heritage that characterize urban Assamese life. It further highlights the emotional struggles of individuals who experience uncertainty and identity conflict within a rapidly changing social environment. The study adopts an analytical and interpretative approach based on textual analysis and secondary literary sources. Through critical examination of selected literary texts, the research reveals that modern Assamese literature serves both as a reflection of social transformation and as a medium for preserving cultural memory and resistance against cultural erosion. The findings indicate that urbanization has significantly influenced literary expression in Assam by introducing complex questions related to identity, belongingness, and cultural continuity. The study contributes to a broader understanding of the interrelationship between literature, urban consciousness, and identity formation in contemporary Assamese society.
Keywords
Urbanization, Identity Crisis, Modern Assamese Literature, Cultural Transformation, Urban Consciousness, Alienation, Globalization, Assamese Society.
References
[1] Baruah, H. C. (2015). Modern Assamese literature and social transformation. Guwahati Publications.
[2] Bhattacharyya, P. (2018). Urbanization and cultural identity in Northeast India. Academic Press India.
[3] Bora, M. (2016). Contemporary Assamese fiction and urban consciousness. Assam Literary Review, 12(2), 45–59.
[4] Choudhury, A. (2019). Identity crisis in modern Indian literature. New Delhi Scholars Press.
[5] Das, J. (2017). Literature and society: A study of Assamese urban narratives. North East Literary Journal, 8(1), 22–37.
[6] Deka, R. (2020). Cultural displacement and modernity in Assamese literature. Guwahati University Press.
[7] Goswami, I. (2014). Selected essays on Assamese literature and culture. Banalata Publications.
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How to cite this paper
@article{1723467,
author = {Abdul Alim},
title = {An Analytical Study on Urbanization and Identity Crisis in Modern Assamese Literature},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2023},
volume = {7},
number = {6},
pages = {695-702},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723467.pdf},
abstract = {Modern Assamese literature has undergone remarkable transformation under the impact of urbanization, globalization, and socio-economic change. Rapid urban growth has reshaped traditional Assamese society, resulting in cultural dislocation, psychological alienation, and a growing crisis of identity among individuals and communities. This study analytically examines how modern Assamese writers portray the conflict between traditional rural values and emerging urban lifestyles in novels, short stories, and poetry. The paper explores themes such as migration, unemployment, cultural fragmentation, consumerism, loneliness, and loss of indigenous heritage that characterize urban Assamese life. It further highlights the emotional struggles of individuals who experience uncertainty and identity conflict within a rapidly changing social environment. The study adopts an analytical and interpretative approach based on textual analysis and secondary literary sources. Through critical examination of selected literary texts, the research reveals that modern Assamese literature serves both as a reflection of social transformation and as a medium for preserving cultural memory and resistance against cultural erosion. The findings indicate that urbanization has significantly influenced literary expression in Assam by introducing complex questions related to identity, belongingness, and cultural continuity. The study contributes to a broader understanding of the interrelationship between literature, urban consciousness, and identity formation in contemporary Assamese society.},
keywords = {Urbanization, Identity Crisis, Modern Assamese Literature, Cultural Transformation, Urban Consciousness, Alienation, Globalization, Assamese Society.},
month = {December},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV7I6-1723467}
}