Topoanalysis and the City Space in the Literary Writings of Amitava Kumar

Abstract In the postmodernist transnational moment, “city” is a “distinctive location of diasporic dwelling, belonging and attachment” that city as home rooted in “city-specific memories” (Blunt Bonnerjee 237). Emotions feelings are not static nature; very place where one born becomes memory house once individual moves out. Thus, with dispersion, spaces “home” transcend to other physical aspects related it, i.e., “locality, town or spaces” (Roy 141) has spent considerable amount time. Gaston Bachelard his formulation “topoanalysis” analyzes subjective phenomenological expression vis-à-vis contends memories it something remembered, but rather, entwined present. From literary writings Amitava Kumar, whose major setting hometown “Patna,” article considers sentimental space often forms core varied works manifested through consciousness author. His writings, such Passport Photos , Bombay-London-New York A Matter Rats showcase author’s constant negotiation Patna. The texts under consideration explore how Kumar extrapolates “sense place” (Agnew Creswell 7), an instrument (Bachelard 8). Using Kumar’s example, this offers new ways into thinking associated concerns diaspora, home, topoanalysis.