GLOBAL NARRATIVES IN LOCAL FRAMES: LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL DYNAMICS OF MOTU PATLU IN CROSS-CULTURAL ANIMATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v3.i2.2022.3159Keywords:
Motu Patlu, Cultural Localisation, Animation, Global Appeal, Cross-Cultural Engagement, Indian Culture, Soft Power, Cultural IdentityAbstract [English]
This study explores Motu Patlu, an Indian animated series, as a case study of cultural representation and global appeal in contemporary animation. Through a qualitative analysis of selected episodes, audience feedback, and comparative evaluation with globally recognised animated series such as Doraemon and Shaun the Sheep, the research examines how the show integrates Indian cultural markers with universal themes to engage diverse audiences. Anchored in theories of media globalisation, linguistic relativity, and audience reception, the study highlights Motu Patlu’s dual ability to celebrate Indian traditions while resonating with international viewers.
Key findings reveal that Motu Patlu employs cultural elements like festivals, traditional foods, and regional dialects to reflect its Indian origins, while leveraging slapstick humour and universal values such as friendship and community to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries. Audience sentiment analysis underscores a predominantly positive reception, with both Indian and non-Indian viewers appreciating the show’s humour and character dynamics. Comparative analysis situates Motu Patlu within the global animation landscape, showcasing its effective balance between cultural specificity and universal relatability.
The study concludes that Motu Patlu exemplifies the potential of animated media as a tool for cultural exchange, offering insights into how local narratives can achieve global resonance while preserving their cultural identity.
References
Alvarez, J., & Jenkins, R. (2019). Cultural identity in Asian animation: A comparative study of Indian, Japanese, and Korean productions. Journal of Media and Culture, 12(4), 45–62.
Appadurai, A. (1996). Modernity at large: Cultural dimensions of globalization. University of Minnesota Press.
Bednarek, M. (2018). Language and television series: A linguistic approach to TV dialogue. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108378377 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108559553
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Chatterjee, A. (2020). Indian media as cultural diplomacy: Representing culture through cinema and television. Global Media Journal India Edition, 12(1), 22–35.
Dobrow, J. R., & Gidney, C. L. (1998). The good, the bad, and the foreign: The use of dialect in children's animated television. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 557(1), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716298557001009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716298557000009
Kim, S. (2018). Localisation of global media: A study of culturally specific narratives in animated television. International Journal of Media Studies, 14(3), 213–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/1479142018.145329
Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (4th ed.). Sage Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071878781
Lee, C., & Xu, Y. (2021). Universal themes and local stories: Cross-cultural appeal of Asian animated series. Animation Studies, 15(2), 89–102.
Lent, J. A. (2012). Animation in Asia and the Pacific. Indiana University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/japc.23.1
Liebes, T., & Katz, E. (1990). The export of meaning: Cross-cultural readings of Dallas. Oxford University Press.
Nye, J. S. (2004). Soft power: The means to success in world politics. PublicAffairs.
Pradhan, R. (2022). India’s soft power in the age of digital media: The role of animation and cinema. Cultural Studies and Communication, 19(2), 101–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/12345678221122700
Raskin, V. (1985). Semantic mechanisms of humor. Springer-Verlag. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6472-3
Shuter, R. (2012). Intercultural new media studies: The next frontier in intercultural communication. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, 41(3), 219–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/17475759.2012.728761 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17475759.2012.728761
Wu, T. (2020). Humour without borders: An analysis of slapstick in non-Western animated series. International Journal of Humour Research, 33(1), 47–65. https://doi.org/10.1515/humr-2020-0005
Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Kota Sai Krishna, Dr P. Asha Madhavi, H. Seshagiri

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author.
It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.