Transnational Emotion Work: The Punjabi Diaspora in Europe

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines and signals the importance and significance of emotion work amongst Indian transnational migrants. Drawing upon over ten years of original, ethnographic, transnational research within Europe and India, it is specifically argued that emotion work has been, and is, central to the foundation and continued reproduction of Punjabi transnationalism and to the caste and identity relations therein. While a comprehensive account of all aspects of transnational Punjabi emotion work cannot be provided within the space available, two illustrations of this phenomenon are provided – transnational emotion work for the avoidance of shame and the assertion of high (caste) status and identity, and transnational emotion work through publicly observable consumer display – in order to highlight its significance for analyses of the Punjabi transnational community. This article contributes to a vastly growing literature on transnational emotion work but is unique within the existing body of work on South Asian transnational emotion work, given the specific focus upon Punjab and its analysis of the relationship between emotion work, caste relations and identity within a South Asian transnational community.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIndia Migration Report 2019
Subtitle of host publicationDiaspora in Europe
EditorsS. Irudaya Rajan
Place of PublicationNew Delhi and London
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Chapter9
ISBN (Electronic)9780429425752
ISBN (Print)9781138602113
Publication statusPublished - 12 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • migration
  • India
  • diaspora
  • transnationalism
  • Punjab
  • Emotion

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