The Indian World(s) of Indian English Literature

March 14-15, 2013

 

Indian English Literature has had a history of reception in India where it has been questioned on every count but mainly on account of its authenticity – whether the language can ever be capable of representing Indian realities. There has also been a history of reaction from Indian English writers and critics. Interestingly, influential anthologies of Indian English poetry have been titled anthologies of Indian Poetry, almost as if it is only in English that you get India; recently an anthology has gone beyond the borders and called itself an anthology of English poetry. For quite some time now Indian English literature has been represented outside India by Diasporic writers and has come to be almost synonymous with their works.

 

However, we have always had a strong body of writing that takes part in the construction of the contexts and the contestation of Indian spaces and makes its place in various worlds that constitute India. Indian English literature is one of India’s many literatures. It is not only politics or social life that Indian English literature shares with other Indian literatures but also aesthetics, attitudes to language and the sense of the literary. Indian English works have not just experimented with Indian literary forms, they have also situated themselves in the continuities of Indian literatures.

 

It would be fruitful to study Indian English literature in conjunction with other Indian literatures including in terms of the market and popular genres. How does Indian English literature construct or mediate with Indian world(s) in newer genres, and in newer media?

 

It is time to study Indian English literature in terms of its Indian world(s) and we hope that the conference will provoke further thinking in the area. 

 

Abstracts of 250 words to be submitted by February 14^th to sap.ces@gmail.com