Revisiting Indian Literature is a collection of eighteen essays on literary criticism, woven around authors, living on no more, like K.S. Duggal, Nirmal Verma, J.P. Das, Gulzar, Adiga, Anita Desai, Kiran Desai, Ramakanta Rath, G.C. Narang, Sitakant Mahapatra, and others, including their works. Assembled at one place who wishes know more about Indian literature and laureates. Written in an easy and lucid style unencumbered by any jargon of academic nature, as well, to create an ambience of mutuality between the authors and readers in the common pursuit of knowledge and scholarship.
Not too many non-academic people read Indian literature coming out from diverse regions of the country. They tend to read literature written mostly in their own languages or at the most in English translations. As a result, not so many collections of comments or reviews of diverse Indian regional literary works are available in any of the lingua franca; Hindi or English. But, now, thanks to Sahitya Akademi and the NBT publications, it is easy for anyone interested in any of the linguistic cultures to turn to a translation either in English or Hindi, or even Odia (or in any other Indian language). So that now even Odias have access to authors as diverse as Manto and Mahasweta Devi, Indira Goswami and Kartar Singh Duggal. Consequently, one expects to find full-length discussions or collections of essays on many Indian authors in a single volume. But barring a few intellectuals with a catholic and unselfish taste, such as K Satchidanandan, one does not come across many such volumes. Dr Ashok K. Choudhury has engaged himself in a noteworthy enterprise with same dedication and sincerity of purpose. We have already had the benefit of his first volume entitled, Nurslings of Immortality: A Panorama of Modern Indian Writers some years ago. After a small gap we have got yet another volume from Dr Choudhury in our hand. I have often wondered how the author has managed to keep up his interest in literature even when he is information professional. The mystery is solved if one recalls the author's quiet and ungrudging toil on a regular basis. During his regular office chores, Dr Choudhury manages to browse books and magazines, and keep aside the ones that catch his attention for his evening and weekend readings. I can clearly recall how he would often share with me his impressions of various books he had then keeping aside. Whenever he had any doubts, he would check with me or any of his other friends whose judgment he never failed to respects. It is amazing that he still finds the time to write down his thoughts about any of these books and authors. Needless to mention he reads not only Odia books but also of those written in English, Hindi and other translations from many other languages, which is his main official responsibility. I am happy to see again a collection of his assessment of great Indian writers and their memorable works, which I am sure, will bring joy to young and mature readers or scholars alike. They are written in an easy and lucid style unencumbered by any jargon of academic nature. He likes to write because he loves to read; and he wishes to share his own sense of enjoyment with his readers. Thus, this volume is not only rewarding in terms of information and ideas, but because of the joy it brings to the reader.
India, from time immemorial, is a united nation as it has been practicing one and the same culture. S.Radhakrishanan, , former Vice President of India, and an eminent philosopher and statesman, who gave the aphorism: "Indian literature is one though written in many languages", at the inaugural function of Sahitya Akademi, on 12 March 1954 in the Central Hall of Parliament. The 'Sahitya' of India reflects the joys and sorrows, aspirations and expectations of the teeming millions of India. The Indian writer mirrors the total Indian life in its socio-cultural and politico-economic changes. Indian literature denotes the togetherness of word and meaning and also of the writer's work and his life. The most remarkable feature of the post-Independent literary scene in India has been the creation of more and more opportunities to know writers and their writings in the vernaculars. Revisiting Indian Literature is a collection of essays on literary criticism, woven around authors, living or no more, like Kartar Singh Duggal, Nirmal Verma, JP Das, Gulzar, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Qurratulain Hyder, Anita Desai, Sitakant Mahapatra, Arvind Adiga, Kiran Desai, Rahman Rahi, Vinda Karandikar, Naiyer Masud, Basanta Satpathy, Mahasweta Devi, Jayakanthan, Ramakanta Rath, Gopi Chand Narang; including their works in our times. The features, written over the years and published in various journals of national repute, are intended for the general reader who wishes to know more about Indian literature and the laureates. I have not looked at the authors and texts from any rigid ideological perspective. The articles and assessments do reflect my understanding of literary values. Readers, I hope, will receive this book with the same enthusiasm they have received Nurslings of Immortality: A Panorama of Modern Indian Writers, my first collection of critical writings. This book has evolved over many years. During the flow but sometimes interrupted evolution of Revisiting Indian Literature, I have incurred many debts, only a few of which I have the space here to acknowledge them. The study would not have been possible without the valuable guidance of Professor G.K.Das, my mentor, who constantly boosted my morale. I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to Professor Sumanyu Satpathy, Professor of English, University of Delhi, for his interest and helpful suggestions and advice throughout the work besides writing the 'Foreword'. I am most grateful to my parents for their moral support and blessings, particularly my mother whom I lost on 24 July 2010. I express my sense of gratitude to my friend Dr. Bhabani Dikshit who has given me the much needed inspiration ail along. I must acknowledge the willing help of Pradeep Sapra, a writer-critic, theatre personality, painter, and above all my friend, who has made my job easier by going through the manuscript with meticulous care and making it ready for press. It's also a pleasure to thank Ravi Malhotra and Deepak Malhotra of Eastern Book Linkers, Delhi, for their keen interest in the publication of Revisiting Indian Literature. I wish to acknowledge the indispensable support of my wife Ranjulata (Mamali) whose compelling motivation and persuasion made it possible for me to complete the book. For a very important inspiration, of course, from Bishakh, my son, I offer a loving, though unsolicited, thanks. His whole-hearted cooperation and enthusiastic support, especially in cover designing gave my never ending work a final and complete shape
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