This Blog is a response to the task assigned by our professor Dr. Dilip Barad. In this blog, I will write an overview of the previously presented and discussed articles.
1. Why Comparative Indian Literature? by Sisir Kumar Das
In this article, Sisir Kumar Das argues that the word ‘comparative’ has created some confusion and one wonders whether it is being used to lend responsibly to the study of Indian languages by linking it up with comparative literature.
As he says that the term comparative Indian Literature, like comparative literature, is not self-explanatory, and it is necessary not only to define the term ‘Indian literature but also to define the necessity of the qualifier. He furthers Indian literature as a totally different category from comparative or world literature.
"If Indian literature means the sum total of literatures written in Indian languages, then it can hardly serve as a significant literary category."
This article, “Why Comparative Indian Literature?” by Sisir Kumar Das, explores the importance of comparative Indian literature. According to Das, the study of comparative Indian literature can help to bridge the gap between India’s diverse regions and cultures. He argues that by understanding the literature of each region, readers can gain insight into the beliefs and values of different populations.
Das further argues that comparative Indian literature has the potential to strengthen India’s national identity. He claims that by reading works from different regions, readers can gain a better understanding of the various cultures and traditions of India. Furthermore, by reading literature from different regions, readers can gain an appreciation for the diversity of Indian thought and culture.
Das also makes the case that comparative Indian literature is crucial for fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding. He argues that literature can be used as a tool to bridge the divide between cultures and to foster mutual understanding and respect. He further argues that comparative Indian literature can help to foster a more unified and tolerant India.
Overall, Das’s article makes a compelling case for the importance of comparative Indian literature. He argues that comparative Indian literature can help to foster a greater understanding between India’s diverse regions and cultures. He further argues that comparative Indian literature can help to foster a more unified and tolerant India. Finally, he argues that comparative Indian literature has the potential to strengthen India’s national identity. In conclusion, Das’s article provides a persuasive argument for the importance of comparative Indian literature.
2. “Comparative Literature in India” by Amiya Dev:
Amiya Dev’s article “Comparative Literature in India” provides an interesting look into the role language and literature play in Indian culture. Dev analyzes the linguistic diversity of India and how, despite this diversity, all citizens undeniably share a core set of values and beliefs that shape the nation’s cultural cohesion. Dev argues that the act of reading and writing comparative literature has the potential to bridge many of the divides that exist between India’s different language communities.
Dev begins by exploring the variety of languages used in India, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and many others. He notes that this linguistic plurality is often used to divide India into distinct cultural and linguistic subgroups, thus leading to discord and disharmony between them. Dev argues that one way to begin to foster unity among these different language communities is through the study of comparative literature. Through reading and writing comparative literature, citizens of different languages can learn to understand and appreciate those of different backgrounds, thus strengthening intercultural understanding and appreciation.
Dev points out that India’s colonial past has had a significant impact on its literature. He argues that understanding Indian literature and its historical context can prove valuable in understanding the nation’s place in today’s world. Dev believes that by studying Indian literature through a comparative lens, readers can gain insight into the various cultural nuances that shape India’s national identity.
By engaging in comparative literature, Dev suggests that Indian citizens can become more aware of their own literary heritage, and in turn be better equipped to understand and appreciate those from other language communities. This type of increased understanding and empathy can have a positive effect on India’s future by strengthening its cultural identity and encouraging greater unity among its citizens. In this way, comparative literature can serve as a powerful tool for fostering unity and a shared sense of belonging among the different language communities of India.
Overall, Amiya Dev’s article provides an insightful look into the importance of comparative literature in India. Through his analysis, Dev demonstrates the potential of comparative literature in bridging divides between language communities and fostering greater understanding and appreciation among them. Ultimately, Dev’s article serves as a reminder of the important role that literature and language can play in strengthening cultural cohesion within India.
Key takeaways from Amiya Dev’s article “Comparative Literature in India”
1. Comparative literature is an interdisciplinary field of literary and cultural studies which looks at similarities and differences between texts across cultures.
2. In India, comparative literature is not widely known or appreciated, but it offers the potential to deepen the understanding of Indian literature.
3. Indian writers and scholars need to open their minds to the study of foreign literature and intertextuality in order to appreciate the cultural richness of their own literature.
4. Comparative literature in India still faces challenges such as lack of infrastructure and funding, but it is slowly becoming more accepted and visible.
5. Digital technologies offer new opportunities to re-connect Indian literary history to its global context, and to facilitate access to cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.
3. “Comparative Literature in India: An Overview of its History” by Subha Chakraborty Dasgupta
Comparative Literature in India is a phenomenon that is not only fascinating but also immensely relevant. In this article, Subha Chakraborty Dasgupta takes a closer look at the history of Comparative Literature in India and offers a comprehensive overview of its evolution over the years.
The article begins by noting that Comparative Literature in India is a comparatively newer field of study when compared to the long established literary and creative traditions of India. It is noted that the beginnings of Comparative Literature in India can be traced back to Rabindranath Tagore who, in his 1925 IATC lecture, famously advocated for an intangible ‘literature beyond borders’. Subsequently, Dasgupta chronicles the emergence of Comparative Literature in India within the broader sphere of academic curriculum, detailing its inclusion in the syllabi of leading Indian universities and the increasing number of research projects, national and international conferences related to the field.
The article goes on to explore the nuances of the development and practice of Comparative Literature in India, especially in the context of classical Indian philosophies like Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism as well as other Indological disciplines such as Comparative Mythology, Literature and Religion. Exploring the multifaceted nature of Comparative Literature in India, Dasgupta argues that it is not limited to the study of two literatures but covers a gamut of multilingual, multicultural and interdisciplinary areas of understanding.
The article then looks at the impact of Comparative Literature in India and its potential to unearth the deeper ethical and philosophical underpinnings of our rich cultural heritage. This can help to foster an environment of greater understanding, mutual respect and appreciation between communities, languages and cultures. The article stresses the importance of interdisciplinary research, cross-cultural dialogue and academic collaboration for furthering the cause of Comparative Literature in India.
In conclusion, Subha Chakraborty Dasgupta offers valuable insight into the history and evolution of Comparative Literature in India and how this field can be used to enhance mutual understanding and appreciation between different languages, societies and religions. This helpful article is sure to spark great interest and debate among literary scholars in India and abroad.
Key Takeaways:
1. Comparative literature in India has a long history, with its roots traceable to ancient texts.
2. Comparative literature in India began to flourish in the 19th century with a focus on a comparative study of Indian and European literatures.
3. Comparative literary studies in India experienced a period of growth and expansion in the mid-twentieth century and continues to be vibrant today.
4. The scope and range of comparative literary studies in India has expanded in recent years to include a greater focus on exploring the diversity of Indian literature, as well as examining literary cross-cultural interactions.
5. Comparative literary studies in India has been both enriched by, and have contributed to, the flourishing of Indian literature in dialects, genres, and themes.
6. Comparative literary studies has helped to foster new conversations between writers, scholars and readers, and continues to inspire new understandings and interpretations of literature.
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