Volume IV Special Issue VIII October 2024

Name of Author : Sophia A, Dr. Muththamizh Selvi S I

Title of the paper : From Tradition to Modernity: Bharats Self-Realization in Bharat Changes His Image

Abstract: Yasmine Gooneratne is a Sri Lankan author exploring themes of diaspora such as identity, belonging, cultural assimilation, and alienation. Bharat Changes His Image is a story of a young Sri Lankan couple who migrated to Australia and experienced a cultural shock. Bharat the protagonist of the story feels caught between two worlds the cultural heritage of his homeland and the Australian society. In order to fit into his host community, he transforms his traditional upbringings into more modernist ones. He changes his name, alters his appearance, adopts Western clothing styles, and attempts to modify his behaviour to align with his host community so that he doesnt feel alienated. As a result, he began distancing himself from his cultural roots while also failing to fully integrate into Australian society. His struggle reflects the broader challenges faced by many immigrants who are torn between preserving their heritage and adapting to a new cultural environment. As a result of this, he understands that he cannot fully belong to either world, leading him to embrace a more complex, hybrid identity. This paper is an attempt to explore the journey of self-discovery and transformation of Bharat, as he navigates the complexities of cultural identity, tradition, and modernity in Yasmine Gooneratnes Bharat Changes His Image.

Keywords : Identity, Belonging, Alienation, Tradition, Modernity.

DOI :

Page Number : 100-103