The Changing World of Contemporary South Asian Poetry in English : A Collection of Critical Essays

This collection uses a transnational approach to study contemporary English-language poetry composed by poets of South Asian origin. The poetry contains themes, motifs, and critiques of social changes, and the contributors seek to encapsulate the continually changing environments that these contemporary poets write about. The contributors show that English-language poetry in South Asia is hybridized with imagery and figurative language adapted from the vernacular languages of South Asia. The chapters examine women’s issues, concerns of marginalized groups—such as the Dalit community and the people of Northeastern India—, social changes in Sri Lanka, the changing society of Pakistan, and the formation of the identity in the several nation states that resulted from the British colony of India. Cover The Changing World of Contemporary South Asian Poetry in English The Changing World of Contemporary South Asian Poetry in English: A Collection of Critical Essays Copyright Contents Preface Acknowledgments Credits Part I: Introduction Chapter 1 South Asia in the Postcolonial Era Dalit Concerns Ethnic Strife in Sri Lanka Ethnic Conflict in Northeast India Gender Inequities Conclusion References Chapter 2 Time, Place, and Change Hybridization Caste and Class Historical Background Postindependence Poetry Women Poets in India English-Language Poets in Pakistan English-Language Poetry in Sri Lanka Contemporary Poetry in South Asia and Social Changes References Part II: Perspectives on Women in Contemporary Poetry from India and Bangladesh Chapter 3 Taslima Nasrin and Kutti Revathi References Chapter 4 Finding a Home in the World References Chapter 5 Outside Margins Note References Chapter 6 The Call to Awaken Notes References Part III: Perspectives on Marginalization in India Chapter 7 Poetry as Witness to Terror, Life (and Death) in the North-East Advent of the British *** Notes References Chapter 8 Poetry as Cultural Politics References Chapter 9 Representations of the Marginalized in Jaydeep Sarangi’s Silent Days References Part IV: Perspectives on Social Changes in Poetry from Sri Lanka Chapter 10 Sri Lankan Modern Tamil and Sinhala Poetry in English Revolt against Socioeconomic Oppression Ethnic War and Violence Poetry of Sri Lankan Women Eela Diaspora and Migration References Chapter 11 Poetry as a Political Statement Notes References Part V: Perspectives on Poetry from Pakistan in a Changing World Chapter 12 Demons in Maki Kureishi’s Poetry References Chapter 13 Adrian A. Husain’s Search for Truth and Identity within Dialectics of Violence and Freedom Note References Chapter 14 Matriarchy and Language Maki Kureishi Imtiaz Dharker Moniza Alvi Hima Raza Notes References Chapter 15 Fluidity in Words Afternote Notes References Part VI: SOUTH ASIAN Poets on Contemporary Poetics Chapter 16 Jaydeep Sarangi in Conversation with Sanjukta Dasgupta Note Chapter 17 Jaydeep Sarangi in Conversation with Michelle Cahill Note Chapter 18 Rob Harle in Conversation with Jaydeep Sarangi Note Index About the Contributors This International Collection Of Essays Examines Contemporary English-language Poetry From South Asia. The Contributors Discuss Women's Issues, The Concerns Of Marginalized Groups--such As The Dalit Community And The People Of Northeastern India--social Changes In Sri Lanka, And The Changing Society Of Pakistan-- South Asia In The Postcolonial Era : A Socio-political Overview / M. Yousuf Saeed -- Time, Place, And Change : The Location Of Contemporary South Asian Poetry In English / Mitali P. Wong -- Taslima Nasrin And Revathi Kutti : Activists Of The Female Body / Pramila Venkateswaran -- Finding A Home In The World : Reading Sanjukta Dasgupta's Urban Poetry Of Inclusiveness / Sutapa Chaudhuri -- Outside Margins : Sukrita's Poetic Oeuvre / Prem Kumari Srivastava -- The Call To Awaken : Feminine Concerns In Selected Poems Of Jayanta Mahapatra / C.g. Shyamala -- Poetry As Witness To Terror : Life (and Death) In The North-east / Sanjeeta Aheibam -- Poetry And Cultural Politics : A Reading Of Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih's Poetry / Arunima Ray -- Representations Of The Marginalized In Jaydeep Sarangi's Silent Days / Angana Dutta -- Sri Lankan Modern Tamil And Sinhala Poetry In English : A Reflection Of Societal Changes / Sivagowri Sivagurunathan Rajashanthan -- Poetry As A Political Statement : A Study Of Jean Arasanayagam's Poetry / Nayomi Abayasekera -- Demons In Maki Kureishi's Poetry / Ayesha Fatima Barque -- Adrian Akbar Husain's Search For Truth And Identity Within Dialectics Of Identity And Freedom : A Reading Of His Pre-9/11 Poems / Kaukab Roohi Rasool -- Matriarchy And Language : Maki Kureishi, Imtiaz Dharker, Moniza Alvi, Hima Raza / Muneeza Shamsie -- Fluidity In Words : Exploring Themes In The Poetry Of Shadab Zeest Hashmi / Ilona Yusuf -- Interview With Indian Poet Sanjukta Dasgupta / Jaydeep Sarangi -- Interview With Australian Poet Michelle Cahill / Jaydeep Sarangi -- Interview With Indian Poet Jaydeep Sarangi / Rob Harle. Edited By Mitali P. Wong And M. Yousuf Saeed. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.