Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar as a Postmodern Bildungsroman: Exploring Identity, Growth, and Societal Tensions

Abstract

Using the theoretical frameworks of Judith Butler, Erik Erickson and Michel Foucault, this research paper examines Sachin Kundalkar’s Cobalt Blue through the prism of the

Bildungsroman. The paper contends that Kundalkar’s novel, with its dual narrative structure, tells a sophisticated and complex coming-of-age story. The paper’s argument is that Kundalkar tells a complex and nuanced coming-of-age story in his narrative works. The enigmatic visitor acts as a spur for Tanay and Anuja’s emotional and mental development as they each struggle with their own wants and society’s expectations. The study looks at how the novel handles societal conformity, emotional development, and identity creation through an examination of their experiences.