Language, Identity, and Cultural Representation in Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions

In the contemporary landscape of Indian English drama, Mahesh Dattani stands out for his unflinching exploration of the communal psyche. His seminal play, Final Solutions, provides a critical site for examining how identity is not a static inheritance but a fluid construct shaped by language and cultural narratives. This article investigates the dramatic techniques such as the stylized Chorus and the recurring motif of the diary that Dattani employs to expose the deep-seated prejudices within the Indian middle class. By analyzing the intersection of historical trauma and modern secularism, the paper argues that Dattani’s work challenges traditional cultural representations, suggesting that communal “solutions” can only be found by deconstructing the linguistic and psychological walls that define the “Other.”

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Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-07-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21417433
Primary Topic
Theatre and Performance Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Language, Identity, and Cultural Representation in Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions

Kaveri Shivaraj Kamashetti
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Theatre and Performance Studies
article

Language, Identity, and Cultural Representation in Mahesh Dattani's Final Solutions

Kaveri Shivaraj Kamashetti
article en

Abstract

In the contemporary landscape of Indian English drama, Mahesh Dattani stands out for his unflinching exploration of the communal psyche. His seminal play, Final Solutions, provides a critical site for examining how identity is not a static inheritance but a fluid construct shaped by language and cultural narratives. This article investigates the dramatic techniques such as the stylized Chorus and the recurring motif of the diary that Dattani employs to expose the deep-seated prejudices within the Indian middle class. By analyzing the intersection of historical trauma and modern secularism, the paper argues that Dattani’s work challenges traditional cultural representations, suggesting that communal “solutions” can only be found by deconstructing the linguistic and psychological walls that define the “Other.”

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Theatre and Performance Studies
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