The Grief of Immigrants: Unfolding Complexities of Indian Family in Badami’s The Hero’s Walk

The Grief of Immigrants: Unfolding Complexities of Indian Family in Badami’s The Hero’s Walk

Dr. K. Shaheen1, Dr. P. Basheer Khan2

1Assistant Professor, Department of English and Foreign Languages, Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur. kshaheen787@gmail.com

2Assistant Professor (A), Department of English, JNTUA College of Engineering Kalikiri, a constituent college of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur. khanenglish999@gmail.com

Abstract

Anita Rau Badami is a well-known Indian writer who now resides in Canada. She is a member of the Indian Diaspora. She is the author of four books, all of which deal with the complexities of Indian families, immigration difficulties and the cultural gaps that exist between Indians and westerners. The novel The Hero’s Walk addresses several important topics, such as the grief and loss suffered by immigrants. Maya, the story's central character, was born into a Brahmin family in Thoturpuram, moved to Canada for further education, and fell in love with Alan. Unfortunately, after Maya and Alan tied the knot, both of them perished in a car accident, leaving their seven-year-old daughter Nandana as an orphan in an unfamiliar nation. The author Badami does an excellent job of conveying the pain that comes with immigration through this work. This research paper emphasises the tragic, miserable, and pitiful situation of immigrants and their families.

Keywords: Grief, Immigrants, Culture, Agony, Family, Assimilation