Mysticism In Indian English Literature

India is referred to as a country which has one of the oldest civilizations across the globe. For certain considerable durations, it was ruled by various invaders with different religious faiths. Thus there is nothing intact about Indian civilization. Indian history has witnessed immense amalgamation of various cultures and religions. However it can be argued that this amalgamation was not, and is not, peaceful or healthy but it cannot be denied that it has been at least on the line of tolerance.

Indian English literature is a natural product of the Indianization of English language to express national sensibility. Thus Indian English literature is an outcome of eventual and eventful encounters between India-her society and culture on one hand

It is an amalgam of Karma, an Indian concept and Cola, a western drink. This first book is a series of interconnected essays weaving her impressions of India’s mysticism with ironic wit and sarcasm. In the late 1960s a great number of westerners turned to India. They thought that they did not have charm in their lives and it could be found in India. Having lived in the United Kingdom and in the United states, Mehta becomes the right figure to record the interaction of the westerners with the mystic India. Her comments become razor sharp and biting when she attempts to show what happens when the traditions of an ancient culture and long-lived society are sold as commodities to the visitors. At the same time, she also describes the devastating effect of the westerners on the rural India since they had brought with them their anxiety, a feeling of absurdity and a number of addictions. Many times this satire is artistically disguised under humour and funny observations.

Gita Mehta’s Karma Cola is a powerful critique on modern life exposing the superficiality and the shallowness of spiritual, political and secular modes of life. At symbolic level the central issues in the novel are the gurus and their spiritual seekers, a confrontation and an encounter between the East and the West. The book documents a series of episodes and scenes located in various parts of India during the 1960s and 70s when thousands

She describes an Indian myth of Kaliyug and the Western myth of Devil. The Indian myth describes the contemporary time as Kaliyug which precedes the annihilation of the world. Such time is characterized by speed. Speed, being the opponent of reflection will spread fantasy with such velocity that the human beings will destroy themselves in their pursuit of escape. The Western myth depicts the Devil as a puddle. He is initially harmless and amusing until it reveals itself completely. It gradually turns into merciless and ruthless element. At every incident of suffering, torture, pain, deceit and humiliation, the reader gets reminded of these