Papers by Dr Aayushee Garg
IJELLH, 2018
Ruskin Bond is a prolific writer whose short stories for children are found to have a deep insigh... more Ruskin Bond is a prolific writer whose short stories for children are found to have a deep insight into several aspects of human nature as well as Nature in general. Bond grew up in Dehradun among trees, birds, and animals. Hence, his short stories and poems abound in metaphors and imageries borrowed from Nature. Through his writings, Bond observes and contemplates the symbiotic relationship between man and Nature.
This essay is based on the issues I faced as I embarked on the adventure of translating the songs... more This essay is based on the issues I faced as I embarked on the adventure of translating the songs of the Hindi film Fitoor into English. To familiarise myself with the grandeur of the language used by Dickens himself, I first attempted to translate the first three paragraphs of the first chapter of Great Expectations in Hindi. It landed me in the space and time that fascinated Charles Dickens to conjure the magnum opus. Though translation of prose gave me more freedom as there was less restriction in terms of form and style, translating Dickens’ charming humour into Hindi was a Herculean task. Nevertheless, it helped me gain more awareness of the elegance of the canon and appreciate it in the way well-read men and women do. The difference between the languages of Hindi and English does not end with word order. Reorganisation and paraphrasing become rudimentary as a text wears a new language- contexts change, traditions overlap, cultures rise and fall.
This research article delves into the exploration of the themes of truth and self-discovery in th... more This research article delves into the exploration of the themes of truth and self-discovery in the novelist Herman Hesse's literary works, particularly in the works Siddhartha and The Journey to the East, in the light of the Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy. Hesse's works primarily revolve around the quest for truth, which is a very subjective and personal journey. The characters in his works often act as instruments in helping him explore the essential questions of existence, identity, purpose, and the meaning of life. In today's world, the daily grind of modern life has led humans to lead machine-like lives. The relentless emphasis on mechanically completing tasks has left humans disillusioned and incapable of experiencing life in its true form. Humans increasingly find themselves uncertain, unable to understand their own emotions and feeling miserable about their lives. During such moments of existential crisis, one questions one's purpose in life, searching for the truth about the nature of existence. As one contemplates the meaning of life and seeks to understand the truth about existence, it becomes important to consider the philosophical ideas that have thus far helped people know the true meaning of life and existence. A school of Indian philosophy which concerns itself with the purpose of human life and the truth of existence is Vedanta. Vedanta offers a philosophical framework for understanding the ultimate nature of reality and the relationship between the individual self and the ultimate reality, Brahman.
International Journal of Innovative Research, 2023
This research articleis an attempt to explore the profound impact of poetry in producing spiritua... more This research articleis an attempt to explore the profound impact of poetry in producing spiritual knowledge by probinginto the language of the mystical songs composed by two renowned classical Indian poets: Mirabai, a sixteenth-century saint-poet deeply devoted to Shri Krishna, and Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel Prizewinning poet who wrote in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These poets played a crucial role in establishing mystical literature as a significant aspect of Indian literary tradition. Both poets made colossal contributions to Indian mystical poetry, and their works continue to inspire people around the world to rethink and reinvent Indian history and culture. As is evident in their compositions, each of the poets exhibited an intimate companionship with the divine. Despite hailing from different backgrounds, both poets shared a profound sense of universality and regarded the entire world as their home. However, it is noteworthy that Tagore's literary pursuits were more extensive and diverse, as he expressed himself in a variety of literary forms such as poetry, fiction, and plays, which contributed to his presence in the realm of writing. Tagore's poems and short stories explore philosophical themes, and Mirabai's enchantingversespredominantly venerate the spiritual beauty of Shri Krishna. What makes Mirabai and Rabindranath Tagore's works remarkable is the finesse with which they wield the pen and weave magic through poetry. The musicality of their words and the loftiness of their ideas have left indelible marks on the canvas of Indian literatureand continue to inspire people around the globe. Scholars have often compared Tagore's grand vision to that of Sufi mystics and British Romantics. Through a critical analysis of their famous works, one can achieve a better understanding of the Indian philosophical concept of the relationship between human and divine. This paper highlights the contribution of Mirabai and Rabindranath Tagore to Indian mystical poetry, with a particular emphasis on the metaphors of the mind and consciousness as they play out in the fabric of language and literature.
New Perspectives in Teaching English Language, Literature, and Translation , 2017
ln the current pedagogical context of learning a second language, various strategjes are hough La... more ln the current pedagogical context of learning a second language, various strategjes are hough Language Learning Strategies (LLSs) are not imperative to learning e m p l o y e d by learners. Tho heigh foreign language, use ot appropriate strategies has led to increased performance and
Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 2023
The present research article undertakes a comprehensive examination of contrasting approaches to ... more The present research article undertakes a comprehensive examination of contrasting approaches to language and meaning, topics that have engendered contemplation and discourse across a range of disciplines including literature, philosophy, and linguistics. The article commences by delving into the foundational disparities between Indian and Western literary theories concerning the intricate relationship binding knowledge and meaning. While the Western tradition concentrates predominantly on interpreting textual meaning, treating literary works as subjects for analysis and critique, the Indian tradition perceives concepts and ideas within texts as indirect indicators of reality and self-realization. The ancient Indian school of thought, Advaita Vedānta, presents a distinctive viewpoint on the dynamic interplay between language and meaning. The article further dissects the distinct attributes of the seemingly paradoxical and contradictory language prevalent in classical Indian texts. Through this exploration, it strives to uncover the methodology of constructing meaning as employed within the framework of Advaita Vedānta. This analysis is juxtaposed against the approach to linguistic interpretation prevalent in the Western literary traditiona tradition largely rooted in the empirical world. Advaita Vedānta places significance on direct experience or anubhava, prioritizing it over transmitted knowledge, and acknowledges that the true essence of the self transcends human comprehension. By navigating the quandary of defining literary language, elucidating the process of meaning-making in Western literary theory, delving into Advaita Vedānta philosophy, and studying the role of language in representing the essence of the self, this research aspires to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discourse in the areas of literary criticism and philosophical studies.
The Criterion: An International Journal in English, 2023
This article provides a comprehensive examination of the metaphysical concerns presented in the B... more This article provides a comprehensive examination of the metaphysical concerns presented in the Bhagavad Gita, a seminal work of Indian philosophy that has made a significant contribution to the global philosophical discourse. The Bhagavad Gita, also known as the Song of God, has garnered extensive interpretation, critique, and analysis over time. The text has been thoroughly studied and analysed by scholars and literary figures both in the East and the West who have acknowledged its profound philosophical insights and spiritual richness. The philosophical scope of the Bhagavad Gita goes beyond theological and ethical matters to encompass epistemological and metaphysical concerns that merit a detailed investigation. Non-duality or Advaita, a key doctrine of Indian philosophy that traces its roots to the Upanishads, holds a pivotal place in the text’s understanding of the nature of reality and the self. This research contends that the Bhagavad Gita underscores the importance of transcending dichotomies to comprehend the true nature of the self, which is pure consciousness. The text exhorts the reader to recognise the impermanence of all phenomena and emphasises that the eternal nature of the self surpasses the transience of the material body. By offering a comprehensive investigation of the text’s metaphysical and epistemological concerns, this study contributes to the ongoing scholarly discourse on the Bhagavad Gita, advances the scholarship on its contribution to Indian philosophy and emphasises its enduring relevance as a work of literature and philosophy.
The Literary Herald: An International Journal of English Literature
This research article explores the approach of the Western philosophical tradition to understandi... more This research article explores the approach of the Western philosophical tradition to understanding the nature of the self and existence and contrasts it with the Advaita Vedānta philosophy. While Vedāntic views are not identical, they reveal the limitations of rationality in knowing the nature of the self. To analyse literature from a Vedāntic perspective, it is essential to explore the literary text's underlying assumptions and evaluate its representation of the self and human existence based on concepts of Vedāntic philosophy. The article then traces the evolution of metaphysical and epistemological problems concerning the self and reality in Western thought from Plato to Jacques Derrida. Additionally, it investigates the similarities and differences between Western literary criticism and Vedāntic philosophy concerning the status of literature as a discourse of knowledge. The article concludes by emphasising the potential benefits of considering alternative philosophical approaches beyond the Western intellectual tradition.
Ashvamegh Indian Journal of Literature, 2017
The paper attempts to study what goes on in the mind of the artist Philippe Petit, as he performs... more The paper attempts to study what goes on in the mind of the artist Philippe Petit, as he performs the historical illegal walk on a rope taut between the tops of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in the movie The Walk. This interestingly is based on a true story. The claim made by Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, talking about the Law of Attraction that says that one's experiences in life are consciously attracted by oneself, is clearly seen operating in the life of the protagonist throughout this movie. The research shows that Philippe Petit is indeed propelled by the Law of Attraction working in his favour as he thinks positive thoughts all the time and has his dream clearly etched on his mind. There have been acknowledged various real-life interviews of the original Philippe Petit where he talks about how he defies fear, anxiety, and death itself with the help of positive emotions. Thus, the research also explores the importance of Positive Psychology as an emerging branch of Psychology, and how the high Emotional Intelligence of the protagonist helps him deliver the incredible and unimaginable.
Rhetorica Quarterly, 2021
Ashvamegh Indian Journal of English Literature, 2017
One of the most-watched cartoon series of all time, Tom and Jerry is a great artistic contributio... more One of the most-watched cartoon series of all time, Tom and Jerry is a great artistic contribution in terms of a musical animated television series introduced in the twentieth century. Unlike most other cartoon series of that time which primarily targeted children as their audience, this theatrical series served to entertain all ages of audiences. The plot revolves around a perennial cat-mouse fight. The grammar of the slapstick comedy is significantly characterized by sound effects that accentuate the comic element. Positing the show into the socio-cultural context of the period in which it was made, there are quite a few observations to be made. There were various controversies that surrounded several runs of the show. There is implicit racial prejudice portrayed in various scenes. Feminist critics also brought the sexist elements of the show to the forefront. They claim that stereotyping of gender is done in terms of the cast being almost completely male and the females only been represented to turn up the glamour quotient. This article is, therefore, an attempt to critically analyse the socio-cultural aspects of the Tom and Jerry show hence situating it in the time and space of the twentieth century America.
Daath Voyage: An International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in English, 2020
Different traditions of theorists have defined the relationship between literary text and history... more Different traditions of theorists have defined the relationship between literary text and history in myriad ways. In keeping with the tradition of the early Marxists of a literary work being a reflection of the economic base of the social, historical and cultural aspects of existence, Pierre Macheray and George Lukacs posited the role of literature in transfiguring the ideological structure in which it participated. Later when critics like Bertolt Brecht and Walter Benjamin established a correlation between literature and ideology, language ceased to remain an instrument in the hands of the author and/or the reader, rather becoming a concrete narrator, not only representing the conditions of a particular space and time thereby mirroring lived experience, but also, with creating experiences anew, oftentimes not even corresponding to the objective reality. Further, theorists like Louis Althusser and Jacques Lacan held the view that as soon as one is born and acquires language, one is constituted as a subject. Interpellation causes the notion of the ‘self’ or the ‘subject’ to be a construct of the ideology one inhabits and the language one uses. Mikhail Bakhtin also upheld that language had both ideological and dialogic overtones, therefore, considering form and content inseparable. He understood fiction to be immersed in the socio-historic rhetoric of the time of its composition – the ‘heteroglossia’ of language. In the first half of the twentieth century, New Critics and Formalists denounced acknowledgement of contingencies of any specific time or place in analysing a text, thus emphasising an objective interpretation. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, when New Historicism arrived at the theoretical scene, it was against any kind of reading that pretended to be absolute, therefore recommending a non-linear, disjunctive and fragmented reading of the text. While Stephen Greenblatt’s New Historicism challenges the traditional historicist method of approaching a text, Hayden White's view tends to depart from it. In the light of these two models of approaching literature, this paper tries to locate Harold Bloom's discontent with the reduction of literature to history as he makes a case for aesthetics and canonisation.
Keywords: New Historicism, literary text, theory, history, interpretation.
The Criterion: An International Journal in English, 2019
It is crucial to remember that Gandhi did not receive the informal honour of the 'Father of the N... more It is crucial to remember that Gandhi did not receive the informal honour of the 'Father of the Nation' all of a sudden. In order to dismantle the imperial regime of the British Empire and resuscitate India with truth and non-violence as weapons of resistance, there was a metamorphosis that this saintly yet controversial figure underwent. A self-transformation on this visionary's part was imperative to the realisation of his grand vision of a national revolution taking place, and it can be traced back to his perusal of the works of a range of philosophical writers from Leo Tolstoy to John Ruskin among the Westerners and from Rabindranath Tagore to Gopal Krishna Gokhale among the Indians. Movements triggered by him such as those of civil disobedience and non-cooperation can be largely attributed to his fervent encounters with works of these seminal writers. This research article, therefore, intends to look at how a multitude of Western and Indian writers have significantly contributed towards shaping the psyche of the 'Mahatma' that this leader of the national independence movement gradually came to be known as. Though remarkable in its own right, this article does not seek to discuss the influence that Gandhi, in turn, had on several prominent writers both Indian and foreign.
The Literary Herald: An International Journal of English Literature, 2019
Archibald Lampman is endearingly called the Canadian Keats‘ owing to the large repertoire of Natu... more Archibald Lampman is endearingly called the Canadian Keats‘ owing to the large repertoire of Nature poetry produced by him. Lampman‘s poetry had a characteristic element of being timeless. Also, more, perhaps, than that of any other Canadian poet, it is objective; and his vignettes of the outward Canadian scene will always have a present value. Traditional and Native American life was frequently portrayed in Lampman‘s writings. His primary interest in Romanticism had its most elaborate expression in his early poems. However, if one looks at the philosophical inclination of this Canadian poet who had death and mortality as themes
featuring quite often in his short yet fruitful oeuvre, one could identify Archibald Lampman as an Existentialist thinker. Lampman wrote about the frivolity of life - its uncertainty and the hopelessness that ensues as one matures, and also about the inevitability of death. This research article attempts to critique a few poems by Archibald Lampman.
Keywords: Canadian Literature, Poetry, Archibald Lampman, Existentialism, Romanticism
The Literary Herald: An International Journal of English Literature, 2017
Avant-garde modern art thrived in the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century of the Russian ... more Avant-garde modern art thrived in the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Modern art was characterised by a tendency of deviating from the conventional forms of art that the world had seen so far. It was an attempt to move away from the narrative form of art. Avant-garde art particularly refers to radical experimentation concerning the existing art. Suprematism was a Russian avant-garde art movement conceptualised by painter Kazimir Malevich. It was heavily influenced by Cubism,
Futurism as well as Formalism. Malevich is credited with creating a Suprematist grammar characterised by basic geometrical shapes like squares and circles. The celebrated abstract art form allowed the use of only minimal fundamental shapes and colours. The fourth dimension of art is what concerned Malevich‟s abstract paintings the most. This research attempts to critically read the modern abstract art form of
Suprematism with special emphasis on Malevich‟s works of art. The influence of this art form on other art forms can nevertheless be undermined. Therefore, its interaction with other art forms prevalent at the same time has also been explored.
Keywords: Suprematism, Avant-garde, Russian art, Modern Art, Kazimir Malevich
Elixir International Journal, 2017
This research seeks to critically analyse the portrayal of the life of Gautama Buddha in the Zee ... more This research seeks to critically analyse the portrayal of the life of Gautama Buddha in the Zee TV serial Buddha telecast from 2013. The television serial presents itself as a didactic religious discourse and for the first time it offers to present Buddha’s teachings on the small screen. Through the narrative, the show successfully attempts to answer some of the fundamental questions which are essentially sought after by anyone on the path of eternal truth, like what is reality, what is one supposed to do in life, what is life, who are we, what is our goal of existence. The research also investigates the various ways in which the text serves to express spirituality in an approachable manner. It intends to look at how the show contributes to the first representation of Buddha on the small screen. The aspects explored do not include portrayal of characters and the acting prowess of the cast.
Language in India, 2017
Within the extant domain of humanities, both poetry and philosophy are accorded
almost an equal a... more Within the extant domain of humanities, both poetry and philosophy are accorded
almost an equal amount of veneration. Since Socrates in Plato’s Republic expelled the
imitative tragic poets from his ideal state laying grounds for reformed ethical poetry, there have been numerous debates in this regard. Poetry and philosophy have remained at loggerheads since then. However, there are various approaches to read the binary of poetry and philosophy. A comparative analysis of any two ideas must aspire to estimate
the recognisable differences as well as similarities between the two of them. Are poetry and philosophy similar to each other? Is there a dichotomy between the two? This essay attempts to contrast and compare the two fields critically.
Book Reviews by Dr Aayushee Garg
In the heterogeneous potpourri of thought systems that the Indian subcontinent is often reckoned ... more In the heterogeneous potpourri of thought systems that the Indian subcontinent is often reckoned with, there have emerged, in due course of time, thinkers and philosophers of exquisite variety. Time and again, in the history of this tradition, it has been observed that when one has become weary of the trials and tribulations of existence and a thirst for the Supreme has meandered one’s path into that of a seeker, the necessity of having a guru or a mentor arises who would lead one, by the hand, from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, and from death to immortality. In his three timeless notebooks titled Commentaries on Living, Jiddu Krishnamurti, in clear and simple terms, traverses through the sea of conundrums that life subsumes.In the heterogeneous potpourri of thought systems that the Indian subcontinent is often reckoned with, there have emerged, in due course of time, thinkers and philosophers of exquisite variety. Time and again, in the history of this tradition, it has been observed that when one has become weary of the trials and tribulations of existence and a thirst for the Supreme has meandered one’s path into that of a seeker, the necessity of having a guru or a mentor arises who would lead one, by the hand, from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, and from death to immortality. In his three timeless notebooks titled Commentaries on Living, Jiddu Krishnamurti, in clear and simple terms, traverses through the sea of conundrums that life subsumes.
Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak Can the Subaltern Speak? Essay The term "subaltern" was introduced by ... more Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak Can the Subaltern Speak? Essay The term "subaltern" was introduced by South Asian historian and a member of the Subaltern Studies Group, Ranajit Guha, in his eloquent article "On Some Aspects of the Historiography of Colonial India," wherein he defined the term in the sense of subordination in South Asian society, which in turn made it a part of postcolonial studies. Guha explained it as the difference in demography between Indians and the "elite." Later, Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Francesco Gramsci, possessing a natural inclination towards the historiography of the subaltern, adopted the term in his own writing. In his renowned work Prison Notebooks, Gramsci used the concept to denote those populations that are subjected to the hegemony of the dominant class. Gramsci"s idea of "subaltern" was later borrowed as well as questioned by Indian-American critic Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak in order to deconstruct the postcolonial attempt of liberating and empowering the third world with notions of subjectivity and representation under her direct lens.
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Papers by Dr Aayushee Garg
Keywords: New Historicism, literary text, theory, history, interpretation.
featuring quite often in his short yet fruitful oeuvre, one could identify Archibald Lampman as an Existentialist thinker. Lampman wrote about the frivolity of life - its uncertainty and the hopelessness that ensues as one matures, and also about the inevitability of death. This research article attempts to critique a few poems by Archibald Lampman.
Keywords: Canadian Literature, Poetry, Archibald Lampman, Existentialism, Romanticism
Futurism as well as Formalism. Malevich is credited with creating a Suprematist grammar characterised by basic geometrical shapes like squares and circles. The celebrated abstract art form allowed the use of only minimal fundamental shapes and colours. The fourth dimension of art is what concerned Malevich‟s abstract paintings the most. This research attempts to critically read the modern abstract art form of
Suprematism with special emphasis on Malevich‟s works of art. The influence of this art form on other art forms can nevertheless be undermined. Therefore, its interaction with other art forms prevalent at the same time has also been explored.
Keywords: Suprematism, Avant-garde, Russian art, Modern Art, Kazimir Malevich
almost an equal amount of veneration. Since Socrates in Plato’s Republic expelled the
imitative tragic poets from his ideal state laying grounds for reformed ethical poetry, there have been numerous debates in this regard. Poetry and philosophy have remained at loggerheads since then. However, there are various approaches to read the binary of poetry and philosophy. A comparative analysis of any two ideas must aspire to estimate
the recognisable differences as well as similarities between the two of them. Are poetry and philosophy similar to each other? Is there a dichotomy between the two? This essay attempts to contrast and compare the two fields critically.
Book Reviews by Dr Aayushee Garg