MYTH, MEMORY, AND CULTURAL CONTINUITY IN THE NOVELS OF NAMITA GOKHALE

This research paper investigates the literary contributions of Namita Gokhale, focusing on her role as a bridge between ancient Indian heritage and the complexities of urban modernity. Through a qualitative analysis of primary texts like The Book of Shadows and Shakuntala: The Play of Memory, the study explores the "nexus" of Myth, Memory, and Cultural Continuity. By employing a theoretical framework consisting of Jungian archetypes and Ricoeur’s narrative identity, the paper argues that Gokhale does not merely repeat traditional lore but actively engages in "myth-revising." The research highlights how Gokhale utilizes the Kumaon landscape as a "memory-scape" to preserve regional identity against the pressures of globalization. It examines her subversion of patriarchal archetypes, transforming passive mythic figures into symbols of contemporary female agency. The study concludes that Gokhale’s use of oral storytelling techniques within the English novel serves as a vital survival mechanism. In an era of increasing cultural homogenization, her work demonstrates that subjective memory acts as a powerful form of resistance, allowing the modern Indian subject to achieve a synthesis between ancestral roots and a globalized future.