📄 Abstract
This study examines Arundhati Roys novel The God of Small Things as a literary site for the preservation and transmission of both intangible cultural and ecological heritage. Drawing on ecocritical theory, environmental humanities, and heritage studies, the paper explores how Roys narrative encodes social customs, rituals, ecological knowledge, and collective memory. Focusing on the Meenachal River, village landscapes, and local practices, the study demonstrates that literature serves as a dynamic archivedocumenting endangered traditions while fostering ethical reflection on human-environment interactions. By highlighting the interdependence of culture and nature, the research shows how Roys work bridges historical memory and contemporary ecological awareness. The paper also explores the implications for heritage policy, digital preservation, and sustainable cultural engagement, emphasizing the interdisciplinary potential of literature. Findings suggest that literary texts both reflect and conserve ecological and cultural realities, making fiction a key medium for safeguarding intangible heritage and ecological awareness. Ultimately, this study positions The God of Small Things as a model for understanding how literature can preserve both human and environmental legacies, encouraging readers to engage critically with the ethical, social, and ecological dimensions of cultural memory.
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📚 How to Cite:
Dr. Ezzeldin Elmadda, Dr. Mohammad Akbar Ali , ARUNDHATI ROY'S NOVEL, THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS: LITERATURE, INTANGIBLE HERITAGE, AND ECOLOGICAL CONSCIOUSNESS , Volume 12 , Issue 1, January 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra25819