Contemporary Literary Review India

So How D’you Wanna Die?

Hadar Lee Galron — 2024-06-01

This text was written in the first days of the war following the massacre of Hammas terrorists on Israel on October 7th 2023.

Post-Humanistic World Explored in the Selected Episodes of the Netflix Show ‘Love, Death and Robots’

Della Dixon — 2024-06-01

Human beings are the only species who only caused harm to the planet. We live against the natural mode and this has caused unexplainable destruction. There is a possibility of a world without humans and this can be beneficial for all other species. The presence of creatures beyond the expanse of our planet and the creation of certain living things by humans themselves for the intended development in certain fields is explored in the mentioned animated show. A post-humanistic world can turn out to be beneficial as well as destructive for any living being, especially human beings. With the growth of technology, an AI takeover, a possible creation of a new creature and many more things can occur. A world without humans could be a paradise for other living beings. A transhuman world with limited people and more years of life is also explored in this show. Even if there happens to be a sudden disappearance of all the two-legged beings, the damage caused is irreversible and all the ones breathing will have to face it. This paper presents the post-humanistic world explored in the animated series and the possible ways in which our world could end up in the future. Most of the events include scenarios where humans dig their own grave and to be exact, it has already begun. With the increase in calamities both natural and man-made, the deadline to our existence is soon to be reached.

Keywords: AI invasion, robots, posthumanism, apocalypse, science-fiction

From Fear to Freedom: The Liberating Journey of Banka Harichandan

Dr. Kerstin W Shands — 2024-06-01

Combining different literary and formal dimensions, Dipti Ranjan Pattanaik’s novel The Life and Times of Banka Harichandan is a coming-of-age story in which we follow the psychological and moral growth of a young boy for more than a decade, from childhood to college. It is the story of Banka Harichandan and his journey to understand himself, family, and community, and, gradually, the world beyond, a philosophical and psychological journey from fear to freedom. Form and theme reflect each other in this composite novel where connections on structural levels reinforce continuities and discontinuities on the levels of theme, characterization, and narration, underpinning the central theme of the hero’s development and his turning to writing. Pondering universal questions concerning God’s omnipotence as related to the suffering in the world, the eponymous hero moves through conflict, desire, and disappointment toward an increasingly enlightened state of mind.

Keywords: Indian literature, Odia literature, Bildungsroman, coming-of-age story, composite novel, education, pedagogy of fear, psychological development, spirituality.

Remembering through Retelling: An analysis of Easterine Kire’s fiction

Lalthansangi Ralte — 2024-06-01

This paper will bring forth the memory of a community that has seen immense death and heartbreak as a result of wars and political unrest in the region. Easterine Kire is a poet and novelist who has written extensively on her people, the Nagas. Kire mainly writes about the Angami Nagas in her works of fiction, which are mostly based on real-life events. Her novels Mari (2010), A Respectable Woman (2019) and Bitter Wormwood (2011) will be taken into study. In these three novels, Easterine Kire tells the story of her people, how they fought the “white-man’s war” and the Naga insurgency against the Indian union in their struggle to be a free state. The latter part of the paper will focus on the task of the writer, how s/he has to write about the unadulterated history of their people. The task of writing “ourselves/themselves” thus becomes a combined effort of the writer and the people when collective memories are recollected and put in print for future generations. This paper also acts as a detailed review of the mentioned three novels of Easterine Kire while discussing matters such as memory, history and trauma. The last part of the paper focuses on Easterine Kire’s reflections on her own novel Bitter Wormwood and her purpose of writing the novel.

Keywords: Memory, history, Battle of Kohima, NNC, factional groups, misrepresentation, cease-fire, peace talks, collective memory.

Un(s)pecified space: A Spatial Reading of Bravely Fought the Queen

Shuvro Das — 2024-05-31

Mahesh Dattani’s plays thought to be the mirrors of contemporary Indian society. Discussing the undercurrent of so-called ‘modern life’- he is one of the pioneers in highlighting the ever changing human relations vis-à-vis space and time. In this very paper, a spatial reading has been attempted regarding Dattani’s Bravely Fought the Queen. The focus of this paper is to produce a spatial reading of Bravely Fought the Queen to understand what dynamic roles the spaces in the text play in the construction of this gendered identity and similarly how gendered practices and the subversion of them causes the space to modify itself.

Double Standards of Namboodiri Culture through the Eyes of Kuriyedth Thatri depicted in the novel “OUTCASTE” by Madampu Kunjukuttan

Shruti Sunil — 2024-06-01

Namboodiris, the Brahmin-upper caste of Kerala. The caste, which is more powerful than the royal community itself. The so-called intellectual and progressive community which decided to shape their society were always ignorant towards their women. We always talk about the plights of lower caste women of not getting a proper education, having no sexual safety etc., but the plights of upper caste women are less famous. This paper has tried to portray the namboodiri culture and their society. The hypocrisy of their community, where men are permitted to roam around and have infinite extramarital affairs while women are obliged to stay in their four-walled homes, illam. Through the eyes of Kuriyedath Thatri, the sensational topic of discussion in 1905 is also discussed and her perspective is withdrawn to find the loopholes of hypocrisy prevalent in namboodiris. Kuriyedath Thatri and her Smarthavicharam was a ground break moment not only in the namboodiri community but also in the whole of Kerala. Brashtu novel authored by Madampu Sankaran Namboodiri popularly known as Madampu Kunjukuttan is a cavernous echo of the early 20th century. A perfect concoct of various elements of Malayali society. The novel has tried to show different human strata and their emotions. The novel concentrates on the convictions and sentiments of different castes in Kerala then. The author of the novel, Madampu Kunjukuttan, a Brahmin himself has taken an effort to picturise the power and dominance of the Namboothiri caste. The novel also parallels the depiction of Kuriyedath Thatri’s Smarthavicharam, her thought process, and her pain during the trial.

This particular dissertation reflects the hypocrisy of namboodiri culture present during the wake of the 19th century through the sensational trial and flashback of Kuriyedath Thatri (as Paptikutty) which is depicted in the novel “OUTCASTE” by “Madampu Kunjukuttan.”

Keywords: Namboodiri Culture, Brahmin-upper caste, Kerala's Brahmins.

A Novel Approach to the Interpretation and Analysis of Animals: From Genera to Genre

Sidra Azeez K — 2024-06-01

Animals as characters can bring silliness and incongruity, making a story more enjoyable. But they also add a degree of emotional distance for the reader, which is important when the story message is personal, painful, or powerful. Significant animal work in literature and animal studies is combined with in-depth readings to present a novel way of classifying animals based on tropes rather than taxonomy and a novel way of organizing literary history that emphasises genera over genres. The book challenges us to reevaluate the place of literature in a society that views it as an important art form by causing us to see animals and our relationship to them through new eyes. Human worlds are built upon animal lives and deaths, both conceptually and physically. It is difficult to imagine how we could mark ourselves out as humans without other animals, for we have become humans alongside other animals in the sense of humans and animals living parallel but separate lives. From the beginning, these were lives that have always been and remain profoundly intertwined. However, it also calls into question the many ways in which animals are portrayed and arranged in human cultures and societies throughout the world, as well as how these connections might be altered for the benefit of both the individuals and the communities in the matter.

Keywords: Animal phobia, commercial filming, human-animal relation.

Quest for the Establishment of Dalit Identity in Narendra Jadhav’s Outcaste, A Memoir Through the Lens of Ambedkar

Tarik Anowar — 2024-06-01

One of the byzantine hallmarks of India is its caste-ridden social structure. Dalits are known as Shudras and therefore designated as untouchables. This marginalised subaltern community has long been suffering from identity crisis. They have been searching for their identity for a long time, either by embracing other faiths or by revolting against the caste hierarchy. The prominent social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, Sabitribai Phule, Ambedkar and other notable luminaries fought for the rights and identity of the Dalits. Being a Dalit, Ambedkar made himself educated and became the architect of the Indian constitution. He ran several movements to dismantle the vogue of untouchability shaped in the name of caste identity. Narendra Jadhav’s Outcaste, a Memoire, is a dramatic piece of writing which underscores the struggles of Damu and his offerings for the quest of identity. Damu took part in every Dalit movement activity organized by Ambedkar. He has been deeply inspired by the slogan ‘educate, unite and agitate’ hoisted by Ambedkar. He provided well education to his children who inculcated their position in their chosen careers and succeeded in finding their identity and space in the Indian society. Dalit people have their voice for claiming their identity through their literature which ascertains that subaltern can also speak.

Keywords: Identity, Dalits, Mahar, Subaltern, Caste system, Untouchability, Ambedkar.

Healing in Little Lhasa

Amrita Saikia — 2024-05-31

Healing in Little Lhasa is a story by Amrita Saikia.

IIT-It is tormenting

Venkatesh Govindarajan — 2024-05-30

IIT-It is tormenting a short story by Venkatesh Govindarajan.

Circle of Life

Jyoti Jha — 2024-05-30

Circle of Life is a story by Jyoti Jha.

A Broken Clock

Subhajit Bhadra — 2024-06-02

A Broken Clock is a story by Nilkantha Ghosal.

Sentimental Hero

Dr. Rajamouly Katta — 2024-06-01

Sentimental Hero is a story by Dr. Rajamouly Katta.

P&W

Saranyan BV — 2024-06-01

P&W is a story by Saranyan BV.

Under the Scanner

Dr. B.H.S. Thimmappa — 2024-06-01

Under the Scanner is a poem by Dr. B.H.S. Thimmappa.

Acid Campfire, Beauty Masks, Little Thing

Fabrice B Poussin — 2024-06-01

Acid Campfire, Beauty Masks, and Little Thing are the poems by Fabrice B Poussin.

The Dancer

Gita Janaki — 2024-06-01

The Dancer is a poem by Gita Janaki.

Flamboyance of Life Suchismita Ghoshal

Carl Scharwath — 2024-06-01

Flamboyance of Life is a poem composed by Suchismita Ghoshal on a picture captured by Carl Scharwath.

Corrupt

Suryanshi Pandey — 2024-06-01

Corrupt is a poem by Suryanshi Pandey.

Saadat Hasan Manto is Still Alive

Musharraf Ali — 2024-06-01

Saadat Hasan Manto is Still Alive is an essay by Musharraf Ali.

Book Review of MK Gandhi’s “Constructive Program” by Alina Pandey

Alina Pandey — 2024-06-01

This article deals with the book review of the book ‘Constructive Program’ by MK Gandhi. MK Gandhi in his book Constructive Program deals with various aspects of prospering as a society and as an individual during colonization and post-colonization. This book review article deals with the major aspects described in the book constructive program and its relevancy in the modern-day world. Further, it reviews the ideologies in the book and its overall analysis.

Book Review of Dr. O.P. Arora’s ‘When You Walk Alone’ by Dr. Dalip Khetarpal

Dr. Dalip Khetarpal — 2024-06-02

Book Review of Dr. O.P. Arora’s ‘When You Walk Alone’ by Dr. Dalip Khetarpal