Scholar illuminates diasporic literature

The University of Fiji (UniFiji) hosted a public lecture on Friday, by internationally acclaimed scholar, Professor Vijay Mishra.

The event, held at the UniFiji Hall, Saweni, drew an audience of academics, students, and literature enthusiasts, both online and in person, for a deep dive into a seminal work of diasporic literature.

Professor Mishra, whose academic career spans Oxford, ANU, and other prestigious institutions, delivered a lecture titled "The Indenture Social Imaginary and A House for Mr Biswas".

He presented a case for V.S. Naipaul's classic novel, arguing that it served as both a detailed socio-political chronicle and a profound allegory for the Indian diaspora, particularly reflecting the post-indenture experience and mirroring the life of Naipaul's own father.

The event commenced with a personal welcome from the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, who shared her own journey with Naipaul's work, from finding it "terribly depressing" to ultimately appreciating its humour and resonance with universal diasporic characters.

This was followed by a formal introduction that outlined Professor Mishra's academic journeys from his early education in Fiji to his doctoral studies at Oxford.

During his engaging presentation, Professor Mishra demystified the concept of the diasporic imaginary, explaining how Naipaul's novel helped to legitimize and give artistic meaning to the lives and history of indentured labourers and their descendants across the globe, including in Fiji.

He discussed how everyday cultural details in the novel, from eating roti and baigan to navigating extended family dynamics, resonated deeply with the shared experiences of many Indo-Fijian families, making their history a part of world literature.

A question-and-answer session followed, where Professor Mishra elaborated on his academic evolution and his recent scholarly pursuits, which included learning Urdu to appreciate the poetic depth of classic Bollywood film songs.

AVITESH RAM

Feedback: avitesh.ram@fijisun.com.fj