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Proceedings of National Seminar on Postmodern Literary Theory and Literature , Jan. 27-28, 2012, NandedMulticulturalism as a Sociological Aspect: A focus on Indian Society-Dr. Varsha P. Gosavi,Vasantrao Naik College,Vasarni, NandedAbstract: Multiculturalism, a social theory plays a very vital role in literary studies. It is an ideology, that challengesmonocultural society. It is a sociological aspect, which develops co-operation, tolerance, respect and love for eachother. The present paper is an attempt to explore multiculturalism as a social aspect and how important role does it playin literary theory. It also focuses on the role it does play in context with the Indian society. It was used primarily inview of the African-American and the other minorities for getting of the equal status in America. Further it became akind of the movement. It also draws ideas from postcolonial theories, as it raises voice for the marginalized and weakersection of society. It is an appreciation and celebration of cultural diversity, which enables everyone to have socialequality and justice. As per the word multi, it relates to various disciplines and especially to social. It works for socioculturalharmony. Multiculturalism celebrates social diversity because respecting of every culture is respecting of everycommunity. It respects and values of all minority culture. By accepting multiculturalism, one can overcome theproblem of social conflict. It also avoids religious friction in the society. Multicultural society is a developed andlearning society. It tries to empower the weaker sections of society.Indian constitution has played a vital role in promoting the value of multiculturalism, which brings the peopleof diverse religions, culture and backgrounds together. The social aspects of multiculturalism are depicted in the IndianEnglish fiction. It tries to show that all members of society, regardless of their caste and religion, have equalopportunity to reach their full potential with dignity and respect. To clarify the aspects, the present paper brieflyfocuses the idea of multiculturalism depicted in Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable And Arundhati Roy’s God of SmallThing. It tries to suggest that as conscious individual and citizen of India, it is our duty to respect the Indian constitutionand the principle of multiculturalism.Multiculturalism, a social theoryplays a very vital role in literary studies.Multiculturalism is an ideology thatchallenges monocultural society. It is also acelebration of pluralism. It is the union ofvaried culture and subculture that help instrengthening of humanity. It tries todevelop co-operation, tolerance, respect andlove for each other. The present paper is anattempt to explore multiculturalism as asocial theory and how important role does itplay in literary studies. It explores the natureand scope of culture. It also focuses on therole that it plays in context with the Indiansociety.In every aspect of human life,culture is held as motivating movement.Multiculturalism is a term that is primarilyused in sociological aspect. If we see its rootor origin then it was first used in U.S.A. Itwas used primarily in view of the African-Americans and the other minority for gettingof the equal status in American society. Inthis context, slowly and steadily it became akind of movement in America. Sincebeginning, American society was notaccommodated by the whites but it wasmulticultural. It was filled with diversity. Itincluded people of different races, culture,religion, national status. People there havedifferent socio-economic background.Multiculturalism promotes to merge thepeople having different culture into one. Itprovides one roof to the people havingdifferent background. Multiculturalism, asan ideology can also be applied forevaluation of one’s value and belief aboutcultural diversity, human rights andprivileges in a society. The definition ofmulticulturalism will help us to make theconcept clear. According to Tarner Terence(1994:419):Multiculturalism is onemanifestation of thepostmodernist reaction to thedeligitimization of the state andthe erosion of the hegemony ofthe dominant culture in advancedcapitalist countries.If we see the conceptproperly it is very vast. It celebrates therights of African - American and otherminority community, women, Dalits,homosexual etc. It also is a new and great461 PLTL-2012: ISBN 978-81-920120-0-1
Proceedings of National Seminar on Postmodern Literary Theory and Literature , Jan. 27-28, 2012, Nandedforce of liberation. It is the preservation ofdifferent culture that promotes socialintegrity. It provides kind of transparency tothe society and also promotes notion ofmultiple identity. It tries to accommodatediverse culture that creates social harmony.It respects minority culture which suffersdue to social injustice, marginalization,dispossession, dislocation and socialdiscrimination. The present paper is anattempt to look at multiculturalism fromsociological perspective.It also draws ideas frompostcolonial theories, as it raises voice forthe marginalized and weaker sections ofsociety. Said promotes that western culturehave projected oriental culture as inferiorand worthless. It’s true, European historyhave projected the Eastern as culturallybackward, sensual and passive. Althoughit’s so, multiculturalism has not justremained a subject to discussion but it is asubject that has reached to decision. Becausein the countries like Canada, Australia andU.S.A. decisions have been taken regardingthe policies of multiculturalism. Itrecognizes the diversities of different culturebut tries to appreciate the cultural diversitythat can enable everyone to have socialequality and justice. It also preserves ethno –cultural identity and sustains their cultural,religious belief, rituals, customs, tradition,lifestyle that accommodates their foodhabits, dress codes and socio cultural habits.Judith Squires (2002:114)Comments:Multiculturalism has become thetopic of the moment, not only forpolitical theorist, sociologists,and political scientists andeducationalists.That is why it promotes the harmoniousincluding of multiple cultures, subculture.As per word multi, it is related to the variousdisciplines. We see glimpses of variousdisciplines in multiculturalism. It promotescultural democracy, enhances the value oftolerance, respect for different culture,protects minority culture, protects social andcultural identity , works for socio – culturalharmony, fights against cultural imperialismand thus it has become a movement forsocial change.As per seen the meaning of the wordMulticulturalism, it accommodates manysubcultures. As Alex Thio (1997:44)comments:The co-existence of numeroussubs cultures can develop intoMulticulturalism, a state inwhich all subculture are equalto one another in the samesociety”.Multiculturalism waters the conceptof healthy society. It admits co-existence ofmany culture i.e. dominant, super ordinate,subordinate, minorities, weak, marginal,patriarchal etc. It applies the principle ofunity in diversity. It insists that uniquenessand distinctiveness of each culture is to berecognized and considered separately. Itensures equal respect and value to allculture. Every culture should get equalvalue. Sarah Joseph (2002:159) comments:Multiculturalism is used to referto a desired end – state, as away of referring to a society inwhich different cultures arerespected and the reproductionof culturally defined group isprotected and social diversitycelebrated.Multiculturalism is celebration ofdiverse culture. Every culture has its ownvalue, power and it contains humanity andteaches value of good life. Hence, respectingparticular culture is respecting community,its value which opens a vision of good life.Rather than comparing different culturesmeaninglessly, one can meaningfully respectevery culture. For the equality of humanvalue, no culture is superior or inferior,rather all are equal. Multiculturalismrespects and values minority culture. It is thepreservation of minority culture, one cantake a step towards building of healthy462 PLTL-2012: ISBN 978-81-920120-0-1
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