Negotiating Local Culture: Awadhi Identity in Bhawani Bhikshu's Stories

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of local culture via Awadhi on the stories of Bhawani Bhikshu, a poet whose writings are based on the local language, rituals, customs, and settings. Awadhi culture comprises literary, local names of the characters but conveys a global perspective. Bhikshu holds a distinguished position among Nepali short story writers, and he is renowned for the realistic representation of the socio-cultural life of Kapilvastu district, where people speak multiple languages and celebrate diverse festivals and practice grounded traditions that reveal the trajectory of local culture and geography. Most of the stories are imbued with psychological, realistic, and humanistic features. They generally portray social consciousness and daily practices of the common people of the district. This article highlights the dominance of local culture and traditions that are examined through the lens of Cultural Studies, New Historicism, and Folklore Studies. By employing a qualitative research design, the paper analyzes Bhikshu’s key stories from the anthologies, including Avartan, Awantaran, Gunkesari, and Maiyansahib. The article is based on textual analysis to explore the cultural portrayals embedded in Awadhi language, folklore, customs, and beliefs. The stories represent social values and family relations that underscore the beauty of the society at large. The research investigates cultural components that constitute narrative structure, characterization, and symbolic representations. The paper also underscores the intertwined relationship between beliefs and social practices. Overall, the paper explores how the represented society undergoes a conflict between modernity and traditional values. The significance of the research is reflected in the contribution to enriching Nepali literature in the light of Cultural Studies.