Spices and stories: identity formation in the Indian diaspora through food

In the fast-paced commercial world, people migrate for their livelihoods and betterment. In the process, they look forward to social gatherings and intermingling of communities for their information and entertainment needs. These social gatherings represent diaspora, including constructs such as identity, hybridity, belongingness, memories, nostalgia, etc. Food plays a central role in these elements, especially in initiating communication and transcending cultural borders. Food acts as a bridge that connects individuals to their homeland while facilitating adaptation and hybridity in their new environments. This paper explores food's crucial role in metastasizing Indian culture amongst the diaspora and in preservation. Examining the adaptation of culinary practices, the impact of food on identity development and cultural hybridization, and the economic relevance of Indian cuisine in diaspora communities helps us to highlight the complex interaction between food and communication inside these worldwide networks.