Indian Author Research Articles

Two Verse Novels — Two “Onegins”: Interlingual and Intercultural Translation

This article explores the connection between two literary works: Alexander Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin” and Vikram Seth’s verse novel “The Golden Gate,” written more than 150 years after Pushkin’s text and referred to by critics as the “Eugene Onegin of San Francisco.” The aim of this study is a comparative analysis of the two novels, high-lighting Pushkin’s influence on the Anglophone text by the Indian author. Through the analysis, it is concluded that there are numerous borrowings present in Seth’s novel, including the Onegin stanza, the formula for introducing the main character, and various allusions and direct references to Pushkin’s text. The research material also encompasses the English translation of “Eugene Onegin” by Charles Johnston, which influenced Seth. The novelty of this research lies in the consideration of “The Golden Gate” as a form of double translation: both interlingual and intercultural. It is demonstrated that Seth’s work emerged as a result of the English translation of Pushkin’s verse novel, which served as a pretext that he reinterpreted within the context of twentieth-century American culture. This double translation unites two authors, two cultures, and two epochs.

Portrayal of Woman in Mulk Raj Anand’s the old woman and the cow and Arundhati Roy’s "the Ministry of Utmost Happiness

The arrival of a woman is like the first light of dawn, dispelling the shadows. She has the power to dispel any anxiety that arises from mental shadows, like the sun that illuminates the world. Essentially, life begins with women. The fact that women are the ones who brought this universe into being is an undeniable fact. A strong belief in women's inherent worth as human beings is fundamental to feminism. It identifies shifts in cultural norms that repress women and works to alter those norms. Feminism examines and analyses the repressed position of women in a socio-political setting by pursuing such an effort. Equal rights and status for women are the goals of this movement. The Indian author Mulk Raj Anand also wrote short stories. The Indian social fabric is something that Arundhati Rao has a keen eye for. As a revolutionary spark for the litterateurs of the twenty-first century, he fights for the rights of the marginalised and oppressed. In his books, Anand depicts the impoverished people of India in a realistic light. This article uses Arundhati Rao's The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) as a lens through which to examine Mulk Raj Anand's 1960 novel The Old Woman and the Cow via the feminist topic of gender inequalities. There is a noticeable trend in modern English-language literature towards works written by Indian women. From a societal and personal perspective, this study examines the achievements of Indian women.

Gujranwala, 14 April 1919: Terror from air and airmindedness in late colonial India

This article revisits one of the earliest instances of British colonial aerial aggression in an urban milieu in South Asia to better understand the normative conceptions of airmindedness, the popular appreciation of aviation. A day after the massacre of unarmed civilians in Jalianwala Bagh, Amritsar, in 1919, three Royal Air Force airplanes armed with bombs and machine guns flew out from Lahore toward Gujranwala in Punjab. The event unleashed a whirlwind of rumours that spread from Lahore to Rangoon, which spoke of the collective fears of aerial violence. If the scant evidence presented by the pilots to the official inquiry into the unrest in Punjab served only to whitewash the record, a peoples’ report that marshalled witness testimonies indicted the colonial state's proclivity for violence. By assembling photographic evidence and crafting a cartographic triangulation of the sites of bombing from their testimonies, the colonial subjects challenged the statist narrative. The asymmetry of vertical violence in Gujranwala was also excavated as political commentary in a novel published in New York by an Indian author. By piecing together these disparate discursive fragments, my article attempts to make a composite sketch of the popular responses to trace a non-Western perspective on airmindedness.

The Interplay of Magic Realism and Historical Realism: Amitav Ghosh's Novels

This abstract delves into the captivating blend of magic realism and historical realism in the works of renowned Indian author Amitav Ghosh. Ghosh, celebrated for his historical and socio-political narratives, occasionally infuses elements of magic realism into his storytelling. Notable novels such as “The Shadow Lines,” “The Calcutta Chromosome,” and “Sea of Poppies” serve as examples where Ghosh adeptly blurs the boundaries between the magical and the real. This research paper emphasizes the diverse ways in which Ghosh explores the interplay between reality and fantasy, encouraging the readers to engage with his narratives on multiple levels and promoting discussions about the thin boundaries of literary genres. Magic realism, which is generally characterized by the inclusion of supernatural or magical elements within a realistic backdrop, challenges the distinction between the extraordinary and the ordinary. Though it is associated with Latin American literature, this genre has been embraced and adapted by writers from a variety of cultural backgrounds. However, the complexities of Ghosh’s narratives and the depth of his characterizations leave room for diverse interpretations, possibly aligning with the principles of magic realism. This paper aims to illuminate the dynamic relationship between representing facts and stimulating the imagination, it also highlights the multi-faceted nature of literary genres and the subjective lens through which readers perceive and interpret literary works.

Injustice and subaltern environmentalism: tribal ecosystem and decolonial practices in Bhoopal’s Forest, Blood & Survival: Life and Times of Komuram Bheem

ABSTRACT A commitment to engage with the structural and historical processes that result in discrimination and injustice in the utilisation of natural resources and landscapes is an epistemic responsibility that must be achieved in order to imagine a just society in which environmental justice is a feasible possibility. Indian author Bhoopal’s Forests, Blood & Survival: Life and Times of Komuram Bheem (2023), translated from Telugu by P A Kumar, is one such literary narrative that vividly portrays the injustices endured by tribal communities in India at the hands of colonial forest officers, money lenders, capitalist extractive authorities, and other oppressive authorities. In this context, the article explicates this narrative of tribal communities to demonstrate and encourage alternative viewpoints and positions of tribal cultures that may confront the dominance of colonial-capitalist logic as a monolithic framework in environmental discourse. In doing so, the first section discusses the natural environment of the tribes and their way of life, followed by an intervention on the colonial brutality and injustices that tribals have been subjected to, and finally, how their resistance is deemed to be subaltern environmentalism.

Scientiometric Study on Authorship Pattern in Knowledge Management

The Present study focuses on authorship patterns in Knowledge Management using scientometrics. Thestudy found Del Giudice M as the most productive author with an h-Index of 20. The study found that Del Giudice M. is the most locally cited author with 25 articles with a fractionalised value of 7.05. The study identified Del Giudice M, Lee S, Bontis N, Ferraris A, and Serenko A as the most prolific authors from 2010 to 2023 The most striking observation is the presence of an Indian author, whose paper published in the Journal of Service Research was cited 738 times with a TCpY of 52.71. The study also reveals that more documents were collaborative, which accounts for the prevalence of publications with multiple authors with the USA leading the scene. This study deliberates mostly on authorship patterns in Scientometric research connected to Knowledge Management to cultivate a fairer, more varied, and influential research environment that accurately represents the depth and complexity of Knowledge Management practices and issues. This paper analysis Lotka’s Law, Most Local Cited Authors in KM, the authorship pattern, most locally cited authors, the productivity of authors over time, and most globally cited publications in Knowledge Management.

Subaltern Issues in Aravind Adiga’s Between the Assassinations

Abstract: This research explores the manifestation of social realism and the reflection of globalization within the selected novels of Aravind Adiga, a prominent contemporary Indian author. Adiga’s works, known for their incisive critique of societal issues, provide a lens through which the impact of globalization on individuals and communities can be analyzed. This study investigates how Adiga’s novels capture the complexities of a rapidly changing world while depicting the challenges and inequalities brought about by globalization. The research employs a qualitative analysis of Adiga’s selected novels, focusing on “The White Tiger” and “Last Man in Tower,” as primary sources. Drawing from theories of social realism and globalization, the study explores how Adiga’s narratives portray the lives of characters who navigate the intricacies of a globalized world. Through in-depth character analyses and thematic exploration, the study reveals how Adiga’s protagonists interact with the shifting socio-economic landscape, grapple with cultural clashes, and confront power dynamics resulting from globalization. The novels provide insights into the impact of modernization, urbanization, and technological advancements on different strata of society, often highlighting the plight of marginalized and vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, the study examines how Adiga’s narrative techniques, such as vivid description, authentic dialogue, and juxtaposition, effectively immerse readers into the realities of the characters’ lives. It considers how these techniques contribute to the portrayal of a world both interconnected and fractured by the forces of globalization.

A View of Social Justice and Exploitation by Mulk Raj Anand in the Light of Gandhian Thought

Indian author of English literature Mulk Raj Anand (12 December 1905 – 28 September 2004) was known for his portrayal of the lower castes in traditional Indian culture. Along with R. K. Narayan, Ahmad Ali, and Raja Rao, he was one of the first India-based authors in English to attain a global audience, making him a pioneer of Indo-Anglian fiction. Anand's books and short tales are considered contemporary Indian English literary classics due to their insightful depiction of downtrodden people and thoughtful examination of poverty, exploitation, and disaster.

Reimagining Gender: Exploring Feminist Consciousness in Shashi Deshpande\'s Literary Landscapes – A Comparative Study of Three Novels

Abstract: Shashi Deshpande, an eminent Indian author, has contributed significantly to contemporary Indian literature, particularly through her exploration of gender and feminism. This research paper aims to delve into Deshpande's literary landscapes by analyzing three of her prominent novels: "Roots and Shadows," "That Long Silence" and "Dark Holds No Terrors" The study focuses on uncovering the intricate portrayal of feminist consciousness in Deshpande's works and examining how her characters challenge traditional gender roles, negotiate societal expectations, and seek personal liberation. By employing feminist literary theory and employing textual analysis, this paper aims to shed light on the themes of identity, autonomy, patriarchy, and the complexities of women's lives in Deshpande's novels.

Regenerative Endodontic Treatment: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Indian Author’s Research Contribution from 2000 to 2023

Aim: Regenerative endodontic (RE) treatment is a new paradigm shift in the management of non-vital or necrotic immature young permanent teeth and has been substantiated by numerous research publications in the endodontic literature. Methods: A bibliographic database search was performed using PUBMED and Google Scholar for the published articles from 2000 to March 2024. All articles published in the English language only in this period were selected constituting only Indian authors who are working within India, their affiliations, working specialty, Indian institutions//College/University, gender, state of origin of the published article, and journal name with its impactor factor. The obtained data was tabulated and analysed for the estimation of bibliometric details. Results: The estimated Indian author's contribution towards RE on a global level was 3.34% with maximum original studies (N=11). Saveetha Dental College was found with highest publication (N=4). International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry (N=4) conquered the first place with maximum publications followed by Cureus (N=3). Karnataka state (N=7) and south zone (N=20) were found with maximum research output. Conservative Dentistry (N=17) and Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry specialty (N=11) were crowned with the highest research publications towards RE. Conclusion: The present bibliometric analysis showed that although there is growing interest and trend among Indian researchers/authors in the utilisation of RE, however, there are insufficient evidence-based results on this domain.

Female body-corporeal as both the aetiological site and the site of resistance: Conceptualizing manic depression in Jerry Pinto's Em and the BigHoom

The hegemonic discourse of normalcy perpetuates unfavourable portrayals of mental illness; it distorts our understanding of the sufferer's existential and affective experiences. However, mental illness is a multifaceted phenomenon; it necessitates a holistic understanding of how an individual's identity and personhood are emplaced at the intersection of the diverse sociocultural conditions. The article conceptualizes manic depression as a complex interplay of the corporeal, cognitive, and cultural factors in Jerry Pinto's critically acclaimed contemporary novel Em and the Big Hoom (2012). Jerry Pinto is a Mumbai-based Goanese Indian author who embarks on exploring the intricacies of psychological vulnerabilities and draws heavily from his personal experiences to write poignant, humane and empathetic stories. Em and the Big Hoom documents the narrator's reminiscences of his late mother, Em or Imelda's experiences of mood swings, paranoid delusions, freakish breakdowns, and psychiatric treatments. It scrutinizes extracts of Em's diary notes, letters, and past conversations to exhibit how a woman succumbs to abjection due to socio-cultural expectations of sex, pregnancy, and childbirth and eventually resorts to self-harm. The article projects the female body-corporeal as both the aetiological site and the site of resistance; while phallocentric cartography of the female body engenders abjection, manifestations of abjection at the corporeal level formulate tropes of resistance. The article challenges the phallocentric tendency to pathologize deviant body-behaviour motifs in women, contributing to the expanding corpus of phenomenological knowledge on pathologized female subjectivities.

Badr ad-Din Kashmiri and His Treatise Rawzat ar-Rizvan

The essay of Rawzat ar-Rizvan by the Indian author of Muslim origin Badr al-Din Kashmiri is subject-ed to a source analysis. Based on the biographical information about the author contained in the work, an attempt is made to highlight his respectful attitude to the Juybar khodges, devotion to this family. A com-plete list of the historiography of the Juybarids is also provided, which will make it possible to imagine how attentive medieval authors were to the legacy of the Juybar Khojas. Rawzat ar-Rizvan is perhaps the only list that has reached us in good condition. Unlike other works devoted to the Juybar Khojas, this source covers in more detail the issue of the social status of two of their representatives — Khoja Islam and Khoja Sa’d. The work consists of an introduction, seven chapters and mainly information about Khoja Islam and his successor Khoja Sa’d. The historical part of the work is mainly written on the basis of the author’s per-sonal observations. The article briefly describes each of the chapters. The historical, artistic, hagiographic genre of the work allows us to consider this source from different angles. The historical genre mainly con-tains the real socio-political situation in Bukhara in the second half of the 16th century, and the place of representatives of the house of Juybarids in it. Judging by the essay, under Sheibanid Abd al-Aziz Khan (1539–1549), Khoja Islam managed to secure the right to the village of Sumitan, which was, as it were, the hereditary property of the Juybar Khojas. On the basis of Rawzat ar-Rizvan, the source of the formation of the economy of the Juybarids is investigated, in which the village of Sumitan played an important role. Based on the information of the essay, the relationship between the supreme ruler of the Sheibanid state Abdullakhan and the Juybar Khojas is investigated. The significance of this source in the study of the socio-political role and indisputable spiritual au-thority of the Juybar khojas of Bukhara is investigated. The main content of the work is revealed in the con-text of the political situation of the Bukhara Khanate in the middle of the 16th century, when the struggle between the Sheibanid appanage rulers for supreme power in Bukhara escalated.

Does openness of articles get higher attention in altmetric? An investigation of medical discipline

Purpose This paper aimed to explore the presence of altmetric data across the sub-categories of the medical science discipline and also explore whether the openness of articles results in (dis)advantage for altmetrics mentions. Design/methodology/approach The research implies data carpentry methods for gathering bibliographic data related to narrow fields of medical science discipline from the Scopus database with at least one Indian author affiliation during 2012–2021. The corresponding data were also collected from three different sources: Altmetric.com, Mendeley.com and Unpaywall.org, using OpenRefine and REST/API calls. Further, the authors observed open access altmetric advantages (OAAA) and categorical OAAA (COAAA) across seven altmetric platforms for all articles as well as discipline-wise. Findings The result shows that the overall coverage of altmetric events is still low, but it shows an increasing trend from the past. Mendeley has the largest coverage; almost 97.12% of publications are covered. The health policy discipline has extensive coverage across altmetric platforms (nearly 57.40% of publications in altmetrics and 99.23% in Mendeley), whereas the drug guides has the lowest (almost 0.92% in Altmetrics and 77.05% in Mendeley). Moreover, the OA articles have been highly covered in altmetrics than those of non-OA articles, and bronze OA articles covered mostly compared to others. News registered with the significant OA altmetric advantages across disciplines. Categorically, bronze and hybrid OA have the largest altmetric advantages. Originality/value This research is a unique attempt to apply OAAA and COAAA to explore OA altmetric advantages of narrow subject categories of medical science disciplines.

Nature and Childhood in Ruskin Bond’s Short Stories

Ruskin Bond, an eminent Indian author, is lauded for his ability to exquisitely capture the spirit of nature and the naivety of childhood in his literary creations. His short stories portray the deep influence of nature on the lives and experiences of his child protagonists. Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth and William Blake envisaged an intimate connection between nature and childhood. Wordsworth portrays nature as a comforting retreat offering relief and revitalisation where childhood innocence is idealised. On the other hand, Blake juxtaposes childhood innocence with the grim realities of life, often using nature as a symbol for these opposing states. Bond's stories delve into the importance of nature by highlighting how various aspects of the world serve as a setting for his characters’ escapades. They explore how the distinct flora and fauna found in the Himalayan region play a significant role in shaping the characters’ perceptions and choices throughout their journeys. In addition, they focus on Bond’s portrayal of childhood, emphasising traits such as callowness, fortitude, and inquisitiveness exhibited by his characters. This paper examines how the young characters in Bond’s stories manoeuvre through the challenges of a fast-changing world and find comfort and knowledge through their interactions with nature. His storytelling not only encases the innocent and delightful aspects of childhood but also delivers a powerful message about the environment. It encourages readers to value, protect, and peacefully coexist with nature.

Sensitivity in the Novels of Arupa Patingia Kalita

This research paper explores the theme of sensitivity as depicted in the novels of Arupa Patingia Kalita, a renowned Indian author known for her thought-provoking literary works. By analyzing selected novels, this paper aims to examine how Kalita's narratives reflect and evoke a sense of sensitivity towards various aspects of human life, society, and the environment. The study focuses on the author's depiction of emotions, social issues, and ecological concerns to illustrate the profound impact of sensitivity in her story telling. Through a close analysis of Kalita's works, this paper argues that sensitivity plays a vital role in enhancing readers' understanding of diverse human experiences and fostering empathy and compassion.

Problems and Prospects of Translating Indian Literature: With Particular Reference to Geetanjali Shree's Ret Samadhi


 
 
 
 Many of us have read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Voltaire, Anne Frank, Marquez, Murakami, Borges or even Valmiki, Kalidas, Tagore, Kabeer and Premchand only in translation. Some things are mislaid in translation, but the gains are enormous. Translations brighten the rich literary world of Indian languages and literature. 'Ret Samadhi' (2018), a Hindi-language novel by Indian author Geetanjali Shree, is deftly translated by Annie Montaut into French as 'au-delà de la frontière' (Beyond the Border, 2020) and Daisy Rockwell into English as 'Tomb of Sand' (2022) for a global audience. Tomb of Sand became the first novel translated from an Indian language to win the International Booker Prize of 2022. The story is not driven by plot but by language. It has an exciting and rhythmic use of words, making it challenging for many people to understand, and its translation into any language is difficult. The translation is founded on the idea that the essence of a document may be abstracted from its meanings and replicated in the particular ways of another language. The paper examines translators' specific linguistic and cultural challenges while translating Ret Samadhi. It assesses the effectiveness of different translation strategies employed by various translators in conveying the original text's meaning and style. The study also investigates the impact of translation on the reception of Ret Samadhi in different cultural contexts and explores the prospects of translating Indian literature in future. The present paper also underscores the significance of translation in promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding and enhancing the global reach of Indian literature.
 
 
 

An Analysis of the Treatment of Love and Sexuality in the Poems of Kamala Das

Kamala Das, a renowned Indian author and poet, has been widely acclaimed for her bold and confessional style of writing. The research article aims to explore the multidimensional portrayal of love and sexuality in her works, juxtaposing them with the social norms and cultural backdrop of postcolonial India. In fact, everything else is secondary and this subject takes center stage. In reference to Kamala Das’ poetry, the term “love” refers to both passions, which her husband and a number of other men were fully and even excessively satisfied, as well as real love, which she never experienced. Her poetry primarily expresses her dissatisfaction with love. The spectrum of her writings is laden with autobiographical elements. In her works, love is depicted not only as an emotion but also as a tool for self-discovery and liberation from the shackles of conventional society. Despite fully meeting her sexual desires, her husband never believed that a woman should expect true love from her spouse, which is why their marriage failed. There were several sexual partners for her, but none of them ever showed her true affection. Kamala Das discusses her unfulfilled love often in her poems, and she repeatedly confesses her longing for love. At this point, Kamala Das admits that love is a strong emotional connection between a man and a woman, and she also thinks that their physical relationship is significant but secondary. The sexuality of a woman is addressed by Kamala Das, who views it as a crucial component of her overall physical and psychological composition. The article further explores how Das’s portrayal of female sexuality acts as a rebellion against the traditional gender roles and societal expectations placed upon Indian women during her time. The intimate and sensual expression in her works is not only a testament to her unique voice but also reflects the underlying themes of self-assertion and search for identity. It brings to light how her exploration of female empowerment through sexual liberation was both groundbreaking and controversial within the context of Indian society. It highlights her as a trailblazer in bringing the discourse on female sexuality into the mainstream and as a proponent of women’s agency in postcolonial Indian literature. The article illuminates the enduring relevance and the multifaceted nature of Das’s writings.

Victim-Perpetrator Relationship: Reconnoitering Typology of Victimization in Anita Nair’s Eating Wasps

Violence against women is not new from feticide to cyberbullying. It remains unchanged and experienced by all ages of women from perpetrators in the patriarchal hegemony. Every form of violence affects millions of women’s lives irrespective of age, class, culture, language, religion, and education, and it cannot be stopped by anything due to deep-rooted patriarchy and gender stereotypes. Men (gender stereotypes) become the primary reason for the violence against women and women become vulnerable victims as they are considered ‘Other’, the weaker sex. Victimization has a physical and psychological impact on victims’ rest of their lives. Anita Nair, an Indian author vociferates the different forms of victimization in the modern era in her latest literary oeuvre Eating Wasps (2018). Megha, a six-year-old child, Liliana, an Italian spinster and Najma, a Muslim girl do not share any contribution to victimization but being in the hapless situation entitles them to be victimized. Yet, they are denied to accept the tag ‘victim’ and become survivors by fighting against the odds in their society. This study traverses the relationship between victims and perpetrators through the lens of Benjamin Mendelsohn’s typology of victimization and the challenges encountered by victims in the patriarchal environment.

Arie M. Dubnov and Laura Robson (eds.). Partitions: A Transnational History of Twentieth-Century Territorial Separatism.

During the 2014 Sydney Peace Prize ceremony, Indian author Arundhati Roy noted that “There’s really no such thing as the ‘voiceless.’ There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard.” The history of the “silenced” and of the “unheard” is as old as the world. And yet it is mainly within the frame of the post–World War I international conferences that such silenced or unheard history appeared in all its evidence. Partitions: A Transnational History of Twentieth-Century Territorial Separatism, a volume edited by Arie M. Dubnov and Laura Robson, provides, first and foremost, a convincing contribution to shed light on the post–World War I zeitgeist and in support of the empowerment of those who suffered the British Empire’s partitioning of Palestine, Ireland, and India—the three earliest and most prominent instances of partition. Overall, the book, which examines the background on why and how this “moment of partition” occurred, offers a convincing employment of transdisciplinary approaches, research tools, and analysis. Particularly credible is the way the editors and contributors shift research away from the prevailing geopolitical reductionism that is currently so central in most works on ethnoreligious dynamics in conflictual areas.

Literature and the Indian working class: Mridula Koshy in conversation

ABSTRACT In this interview conducted in Delhi on March 20, 2022, Indian author Mridula Koshy discusses the specific circumstances of writing, publishing, and reading in contemporary India. She talks about her determination to engage in a conversation that involves all members of Indian society and explains why, a few years ago, she decided to stop writing fiction and concentrate instead on her work at the free community library she co-founded in Delhi. Referring to her short stories and her 2016 novel Bicycle Dreaming, she discusses her interest in small lives and unexceptional characters. She shares her dissatisfaction with Indian contemporary literature in English that portrays the working class in a way that satisfies the curiosity of middle-class readers but fails to engage with a larger readership. On the other hand, she praises the scope of Indian literature in other languages, especially in Malayalam and Tamil.