Mythology and migration: the social life of Hindu stories in the Nepali-Australian diaspora

This thesis explores the crucial place that sacred Hindu stories occupy in the context of the Nepali-Australian diaspora in Sydney, Australia. It investigates the myths or stories that are being exchanged and their means of circulation, culminating in an analysis of the social and ethical implications of these stories in the everyday lives of individual actors. The analysis draws on ethnographic field research comprising the methods of participant observation and in-depth interviews, whilst incorporating aspects of autoethnography.

Through this research, I ask which stories and characters participants felt an affinity to, how they heard these stories and their reflections on why these particular stories or characters felt so meaningful to them. My research is informed by understanding the prevalence of oral and text-based narration, and the impact of mass media, particularly drawing on notions of hegemony, media imperialism, and cultural proximity. Ultimately, I explore how these stories provide an exemplar example of an ethical code by which individuals in their everyday lives may model or critique, both actively voicing their opinions, or passively excluding stories during retellings.