The paper’s thesis is twofold. First, the cracked relationship storyline has emerged as a dominant trope in Odia popular culture because it mirrors the real-world destabilization of traditional marriage and courtship norms under globalization. Second, unlike purely tragic or comic treatments, Odia narratives typically occupy a melancholic middle ground, where cracks are acknowledged and explored but not always sealed, suggesting a cultural ambivalence toward both traditional permanence and modern transience.
Odia romantic storylines frequently use "cracked" relationships as a lens to critique broader social issues. Key themes include:
To analyze “cracked relationships,” we adopt a tripartite framework derived from narrative theory, cultural sociology, and trauma studies.
: Characters speak in colloquial, realistic Odia mixed with English (Odish/English), making conversations during relationship conflicts feel intensely authentic.