Pravasi

The discovery of oil in Gulf countries and the subsequent oil boom in the 1970s generated a massive migration from different parts of India to the oil-rich Gulf. Compared to all other states in India, Kerala contributed the most significant volume of immigrants to the Gulf. As a result of the migration, Kerala has witnessed a series of economic and social changes. Through this project, I focus on the Malayali diaspora in the Gulf through narratives and its impact on the society of Kerala. The Malayali community were not displaced from their homeland — they moved for career prospects. In this project, I look into the premise of Kerala and observe the nuances of migration around it. My primary focus is on the stories of individuals who have migrated for career prospects and how they relate to the idea of home and belonging in a different place.