FROM CLAUSTROPHOBIA TO BROMIDROPHOBIA: LACK OF BELONGINGNESS AND SENSE OF PLACE IN RADHIKA JHA’S SMELL

This research paper is an attempt to examine the perturbed experience of an immigrant inRadhika Jha’s novel Smell. The novel explores the issue of ethnic identity and belongingnessthrough its protagonist Leela, an immigrant of Indian descent in Paris. Leela negotiates hercultural identity in order to survive in the foreign land, which triggers diasporic anxieties inher. The researcher has identified and analysed theses anxiety disorders that Leela goesthrough because of abrupt migration. The pain of separation, sense of loss, and disorientationmade Leela lose her sense of belongingness and place in the foreign land. In her quest tofinally feel at home, Leela falls victim to various anxiety disorders which includeclaustrophobia, social anxiety disorder, and bromidrophobia. The researcher expands on theanalysis about how these diasporic anxieties manifest in the life of Leela as a result of suddenmigration and how she assimilates herself to overcome the fear of rejection to finally feel athome.