CROSS-CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS AND DIASPORIC IDENTITY IN THE FICTION OF JHUMPA LAHIRI AND KIRAN DESAI

Abstract

The contemporary era of globalization has intensified migration and cultural exchange, making diasporic literature an important field for understanding identity, belonging, and cultural transformation. Among the most influential Indian diasporic writers, Jhumpa Lahiri and Kiran Desai explore the emotional, cultural, and psychological dimensions of migration through compelling narratives. Their novels and short stories portray characters negotiating between homeland traditions and host-country values while confronting issues of alienation, nostalgia, hybridity, and identity crises. This article examines cross-cultural encounters and diasporic identity in the fiction of Lahiri and Desai by analyzing selected works such as Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, and The Inheritance of Loss. Using a qualitative literary research methodology, the study highlights how both authors represent migration as a complex process involving cultural adaptation, intergenerational conflict, and the search for belonging. The findings reveal that while Lahiri emphasizes intimate family relationships and personal identity struggles, Desai focuses on globalization, postcolonial inequalities, and transnational experiences. Together, their works contribute significantly to contemporary diasporic discourse by illustrating the multifaceted realities of immigrant life. Keywords: Diaspora, Cross-cultural encounters, Identity, Migration, Hybridity, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kiran Desai, Globalization.