This book explores the multifaceted dimensions of the Girmitya diaspora and post-memory. The intersections of dis/re-location and memory have always been a focus of scholarly interest and the volume envisages the roots of migration and culture, life stories, narratives, and personal anecdotes. It further accentuates Girmitiya struggles, politics of displacement, relationships with the homeland and host land, oral traditions, repercussions, and retention of the archival sites. The cross-examination of memories helps in building a framework to study the varied experiences of the Girmitiya community. In this volume, through a blend of historical and scholarly discourse, we embark on a journey to unearth the layers of meaning embedded within the Girmitya experience. The tales of Girmitya migration amplifies marginalized voices and illuminates the enduring resilience. By chronicling the experiences of the indentured migration, we pay homage to the pioneers, recognize the intricacy of their toils, and commemorate the continuing legacy.
1. Introduction: Theorizing Girmitiya Culture and (Post)memory.- PART
I-Retrieving Historical Narratives.-
2. Beyond Indenture: An Examination of
the Life Stories, Social & Economic Mobility of Mohun and Teeluckdharry.-
3.
The Indenture Experiment in Mauritius: A Comparison between the
Administration of British and French Plantations.-
4. Mapping Locations in
indenture Ship Lists to Current Locations in India.-
5. Struggles of Indian
Indentured Women During the Indenture System in Fiji.- PART II Commemorating
(Post)memory.-
6. Commemorating the Coolitude in the Caribbean Region.-
7.
The Politics of Displacement and Shipboard Fatality: Analysing the Mental
Health of Indentured Laborers.-
8. The Relationship and Impact of Bollywood
on Indian Diaspora.-
9. Memory beyond Black Waters: Mapping History, Language
and Culture in Kalapani Poetics from the Perspective of Female
Indentureship.- PART III- The Context of Culture and Identity.-
10.
Homemaking in Girmitiya Diaspora.-
11. Preserving Roots Abroad: The
Girmitiyas Role in Indian Soft Power.-
12. Ganga Talao and Girmitya:
Folklore and Oral Traditions.-
13. A Virtual Museum Experience in Fiji.-
14.
Indo-Fijian Rmll as a Cultural Ethos among Girmitiyas.- PART
IV-(Re)mapping Girmitiya Literature.-
15. The Tell-tale Poetry of the Woman
Girmitiya: Analysing Torabullys Coupeuses DAzur.-
16. Fijis Subaltern
Womens Cry: Social and Psychological Repercussions of Migration.-
17.
Struggle and Sufferings of Girmitiya: A Study of Writings of Indo-Fijians
Writers.
Dr. Priyanka Chaudhary is a Professor of English in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies at Manipal University Jaipur, India. Her research interest lies in Gender Studies, South Asian Writings and Cultural Studies. She has supervised seven PhD scholars. She has published many articles and reviews in Scopus, Web of Science and UGC journals. She has co-authored / edited books five books. She has attended many FDPs, and workshops and convened two International Conferences.
Dr. Neha Singh is an Assistant Professor at Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India. She is a member of the International Scientific Committee-Indian Ocean Committee, Indentured Labour Route Project. She has published articles in reputed journals and in UNESCOs World Heritage Site Aapravasi Ghat Trust Funds newsletter. She has co-edited a book Literature of Girmitiya: History, Culture and Identity, Palgrave Macmillan (2023). She is a recipient of ICSSR data collection abroad award and has been awarded an ICSSR funded research project in 2023. Her major interest lies in migration and diaspora studies, slaves narratives, and cultural production.