Volume IV Special Issue VIII October 2024

Name of Author : Sakiya Fabin K K

Title of the paper : Criticizing Otherness; A Study on Diaspora Disguised in Comedy in Never Have I Ever Drama Series

Abstract: Tagging of otherness, as the exact defined by Edward Said is a process still manipulating Asian American Communities even in the 21st century. Through the forms of ignorance like perpetual foreigner stereotyping, model minority myth, media representation and microaggressions and everyday exclusion, the process is still running in United States and other countries. Otherness and diaspora are deeply intertwined concepts. Diasporic individuals experience a sense of alienation, being both insiders and outsiders, which reinforces their otherness. The text taken here is the Netflix streamed, 2020, American teen comedy- drama Never Have I Ever created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. Sherman Oaks high school in California as the setting several Asian students of the institution represent the diasporic community. Starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Viswakumar, the drama is told as Kalings own experiences as South Indian American teen in the United States. Breaking new ground in the representation of minority American girlhood on screen, the series meant to shackle stereotyping of the otherness. While the drama widely considered as promoting multiculturalism, this paper looks from a different angle by criticizing the dialogues and scenes. Challenges of living in diasporic identity worth discussing is disguised behind comedic teenage innocence. The paper argues that Never Have I Ever utilizes comedy to mask the more complex and serious issues of identity, otherness and diaspora struggles. By observing themes of hybridity, otherness and diasporic identity, the study examines how humour plays a role in conveying these in screen space.

Keywords : Tagging, discussing, stereotyping

DOI :

Page Number : 25-28