Vol. 7, Issue 11, Part E (2021)

Diaspora literature is a genre of literature that emerges from the experiences of people who have been dispersed from their homeland. It often reflects the lives and perspectives of those who are living outside their native country and conveys a sense of longing for the homeland. The distinction between exile and diaspora, emphasizing that exiles typically aim to return to their homeland, while diaspora communities tend to establish themselves in their adopted countries whereas maintaining a connection to their ancestral land. Exile is a process of forced migration and a sparkling of the experience of departure from native land. This genre allows writers to explore their cultural heritage, identity, and the complexities of living in a new location while maintaining a distinct sense of identity. This paper delves into the themes prevalent in diaspora literature, specifically examining concepts of alienation, identity crisis, and multicultural identity as Imtiaz Dharker, an eminent South Asian diaspora poet, has conveyed through her poetry. It is examined through the analysis of her poem entitled "Minority" whether she embraces both a diasporic and transnational identity. The paper is an attempt to expound how Dharker’s voice pinpoints home between countries, between borders, proudly exhibiting her adherence to “another country”, one that refuses to be circumscribed by race, nationality or gender. Imtiaz Dharker, in her poetry, poses questions about her roots, the language and the significant parts of her past which can neither be burnt nor expelled to the soothing limbo of forgetfulness.