ARUNDHATI ROY'S NOVEL, THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS: LITERATURE, INTANGIBLE HERITAGE, AND ECOLOGICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

This study examines Arundhati Roy’s 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 Roy’s 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 archive—documenting endangered traditions while fostering ethical reflection on human-environment interactions. By highlighting the interdependence of culture and nature, the research shows how Roy’s 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. Keywords: Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Ecological Heritage, Ecocriticism, Environmental Humanities, Cultural Memory, Sustainable Engagement.