15:11 Sep 1, 2011 

I'm very glad if the references were helpful. I don't think I'll post an answer (nice of you to suggest it), because I think Lorena's is basically right, but having read and greatly enjoyed The Buddha of Suburbia some years ago, I know just what you mean, and I wouldn't be surprised if a number of things were in Kureishi's mind when he mentioned "aunties", including quite possibly young Indian boys' sexual fantasies about older women (something that is by no means confined to India, of course). I think the point is that an aunty is any older woman, and that older women are, in various respects, a very important part of Indian society and of the experience of young Indian boys. Good luck!

14:12 Sep 1, 2011 

@Charles: Perhaps I should've added that Kureishi's novel is as funny as it is obscene...and perhaps this should be taken into account when interpreting the above mentioned passage.

14:05 Sep 1, 2011 

Thanks for all the comments! Charles, yours was very helpful indeed - are you sure you don't want to post your answer?
I'm not closing the question yet, will give it a couple of days, perhaps more people would like to contribute.

02:29 Aug 31, 2011 

Shera's contribution is very interesting. Here are another couple of indications (I don't know how reliable) of the importance of the phenomenon in Indian society. First, the key role of aunts in arranging marriages:
http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/books/845/aunt.htm

And second (sorry to lower the tone) the "aunt" or "mallu auntie" as an object of sexual desire for very young Indian men:
"Most of Indian boys in the age group of eighteen to early twenty’s are not interested in the girl’s of their age group. Surprisingly, they are interested in mallu aunties. Almost every grown-up Indian guy can tell you a story about his past time aunty. In many cases, this favorite aunty is next-door newly wedded aunty or young science or math’s teacher. In almost every guy’s story, this favorite aunty remains in fantasy and never end-up with Physical relationship.
This “aunty” attraction was first exposed in one of raj kapoor’s movie where very young school boy start falling in love with his class teacher."
http://www.articleoutpost.com/articles/464882/1/Hot-Mallu-au...
Not necessarily relevant here, of course...

19:42 Aug 30, 2011 

In other words, Polangmar has made a valid point. Though I think there isn't necessary any connection between aunties and elephants - it's just a bunch of stereotypes. As I said, I understand the stereotype (or connotations) connected with elephants, but not the one concerning aunties/older women.

19:31 Aug 30, 2011 

The point is, however, that while I understand the use of 'elephants' in the quoted passage (elephants = exotic = you don't see them in England on a daily basis), I don't understand the purpose of 'aunties' here: don't they have aunties in Britain?

19:28 Aug 30, 2011 

That's an interesting bit of information. Interestingly enough, in Poland you would call female friends of your parent 'aunties'.

19:17 Aug 30, 2011 

In elephant herds, calves are raised by the mother with the help of 'aunties' (other females in the herd).