RIVER’S AS CULTURAL MEMORY IN INDIAN AND WESTERN LITERATURE

Abstract

Rivers have long served as powerful symbols and cultural repositories in world literature, embodying memory, identity, spirituality, and historical continuity. In both Indian and Western literary traditions, rivers function not merely as geographical features but as dynamic metaphors that reflect collective consciousness, cultural values, and existential reflection. This paper explores the concept of the river as cultural memory in Indian and Western literature, examining how rivers preserve traditions, shape identities, and transmit historical and emotional narratives across generations. Indian literary representations often associate rivers with sacredness, continuity, and spiritual purification, while Western literary portrayals frequently emphasize personal introspection, historical change, and socio-cultural transformation. Through a comparative literary analysis, the study highlights the symbolic depth, emotional resonance, and philosophical dimensions of river imagery. The paper argues that rivers operate as living archives, encoding cultural experiences and collective memory, thereby connecting the past, present, and future. By bridging diverse literary traditions, this research underscores the universal yet culturally distinct significance of rivers as enduring symbols of memory, transformation, and human existence.