Migration, Identity, and Trauma in A Bend in the Ganges: Literary Representations of Migrant Experiences

Manohar Malgonkar's A Bend in the Ganges (1964) offers a rich literary framework for examining the psychological, ideological, and emotional aspects of migration during India's independence and Partition. Migration is seen as more than just moving—it's a transformative event that reshapes identity, memory, and belonging. The novel's epigraph—“At a bend in the Ganges, they paused to take a look at the land they were leaving”—captures the migrant experience, caught between nostalgia for a fading past and anxiety about an uncertain future. The narrative explores ideological conflicts, communal divides, and psychological displacement through the journeys of its three protagonists—Shafi Usman, Debi-dayal, and Gian Talwar. These characters illustrate how migration, prompted by political upheaval or ideological disillusionment, leaves deep marks on individual and community identities. This analysis compares broader migration discourses, drawing parallels between historical migrations and contemporary digital displacements, where identities are ever more fragmented and virtual belonging becomes precarious. Malgonkar's story extends beyond its historical setting, offering timeless reflections on the pain of uprooting, the quest for identity, and human resilience. Consequently, the novel is a vital precursor to current debates on physical and digital migration, highlighting humanity's persistent desire for agency, connection, and purpose amid relocation.