Literary Druid
A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of English Language and Literature
Volume- 6, Issue- 3, July-2024
1. Revenge to Redemption in Kavita Kané’s Lanka’s Princess
Akshaya, T. Ph. D. Research Scholar (Department of English), Sri Sarada College for Women (Autonomous), Salem 16.
Dr. S. Ramya Niranjani, Associate Professor of English, Department of English, Sri Sarada College for Women (Autonomous), Salem 16.
Abstract
Indian mythology has been a rich source of inspiration for many writers, both past and present, who focus on interpreting and demystifying Indian mythology. Kavita Kané is a popular Indian author widely known for her retellings of Indian mythological stories from the perspective of lesser-known female characters. She has written several novels, including “Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen”, “Sita's Sister”, “Menaka's Choice”, “Lanka's Princess”, “The Fisher Queen's Dynasty”, and “Ahalya's Awakening”. Her novels typically explore themes such as the role of destiny and the power of belief. Through her storytelling, Kané offers readers a fresh perspective on voiceless female mythological figures, such as Ahalya, Urmila, Uruvi, Menaka and Surphanaka, bringing them to life for contemporary readers. Hence, Kavita Kané’s “Lanka’s Princess” is a compelling narrative that reimagines the life of Surpanakha, a character from the ancient Indian epic, “The Ramayana”. Traditionally portrayed as the vengeful sister of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, Surpanakha’s character in Kané’s retelling undergoes a significant transformation from seeking revenge to finding redemption. Kavita Kané humanizes Surpanakha in her novel by providing readers with a keen perspective on a traditionally denigrated character. The novel also underscores the themes of love, loss, empowerment, and forgiveness. It ultimately presents a story of personal growth and transformation. Thus, the present article attempts to analyse the novel “Lanka's Princess” which explores the story of Surphanaka from the perspective of revenge to redemption.
Kerwords: Revenge, Redemption, Kavita Kané, Lanka’s Princess.
2. Man by Rabindranath Tagore: Journey for Philosophy of Gerontology
Dr. Ryo Takahashi, Specially Appointed Professor, Health Sciences of Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Japan.
Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to introduce Sir Rabindranath Tagore’s (1861-1941) universal contribution through his lectures. There are a few papers about Tagore, but no papers about this topic “MAN”, at all from 2015- 2023. The main method used in writing this study was a literature review of online and offline media sources, assisted by qualitative research methodology through interviews. Prior research on the field has not been investigated. My research is originally Lectures at Andhra University when President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was vice chancellor at Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. this paper found that These lectures give teaching the foundation for the philosophy of gerontology and the origins of human education. I recommended readers conduct research for effective education for all ages from children to aged so that this understanding has an impact on society and benefits researchers, and educators involved in the study. In future studies, it might include comprehensive descriptions of approaches for using various ways to further education and research studies.
Keywords: Rabindranath Tagore, Andhra University, Care-Fit, Gerontology, Philosophy.
3. A Reflection of Inner Indentation in the Novels of Chetan Bhagat
Dr. Seema Devi, Post Researcher, Tantia University, Ganganagar, India.
Abstract
Literature works like an E.C.G. and every ionization and deionization of waves depict the heartbeat of contemporary society. It’s a transparent medium for every culture and plays a major role in depicting the depth of human psyche, which sometime is reflected in writer’s impartial effort in a work or other time is portrayed in the glimpses of own self that comes spontaneously in his masterpiece. A literary masterpiece is considered as perfect amalgamation of the waves that passes through human head and heart. And when emotions are overpowered, a writer’s self dominates in his work. As Ronald Barthes refers in his essay, “The birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of author.” (The Death of the Author, p. 148). Chetan Bhagat is a penned down novelist, columnist, script writer and motivational speaker of great success. This youth icon is openly admitting his works with an inherent touch of his self. His Five Point Someone (2004), One Night @ The Call Center (2005), Three mistakes of my life (2005), Two states: The story of my marriage (2009), Revolution 2020 are the perfect examples of it.
Keywords: Autobiographical, tribulations, intermingled, acknowledgements, reconciliation.
4. Persian Myth and Miniatures in Orhan Pamuk’s Novels
My Name is Red and The Red-Haired Woman
Ms. R. Vadivukarasi, (Reg. no.18122024012003), Assistant Professor of English, A. P. C. Mahalaxmi College for Women, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dr. C. Geetha, Assistant Professor of English, Sri K.G.S. Arts College, Srivaikundam, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
The Nobel laureate and Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk explores the Turkish cultural settings in his literary works by skillfully incorporating the Persian myths. This article attempts to trace myth's existence as a potent storytelling tool that cuts across time and place to examine the varied functions that myth plays in Pamuk's works. It also explores how myth functions as a prism through which characters negotiate the complexity of modernity, confronts existential questions and struggle with their identities in Pamuk’s “My Name is Red” and “The Red-Haired Woman”. It explores Pamuk's skilful fusion of Western literary allusions with customary Turkish folklore by providing a hub on the meeting point of East and West. It emphasizes Pamuk's adept use of myth to ponder the changing nature of Turkish society and look into the human condition through a close reading of a few chosen passages and thematic patterns. Pamuk's use of myth is both a literary delight and a deep analysis of universal issues that intersect all ages and civilizations. Pamuk’s work is not just a plot but also a philosophical idea that is deeply rooted in the cultural records of the characters and their literary predecessors. His protagonists’ experiences are a mix of unfastened will and determination that are very similar to the heroes of ancient myths. Pamuk’s use of myth allows him to discover the apprehension among these ideas by encouraging the readers to understand what controls their lives. Hence, this article makes a study on the miniatures of Persian myths in Orhan Pamuk’s “My Name is Red” and “The Red-Haired Woman”
Keywords: Persian Myth, Orhan Pamuk, The Red-Haired Woman, My Name is Red.
5. Indian Women Novelists in English: Art and Vision by Dr. Dipak Giri (Book Review)
Reviewed by Dr. Meetu Bhatia Kapur, Associate Professor, Department of English, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies -Technical Campus, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
The book Indian Women Novelists in English: Art and Vision edited by Dr. Dipak Giri is a anthology of twenty five research articles on contemporary Indian women novelists and their works ranging from Anita Desai, Shashi Deshpande, Manju Kapur, Shobhaa De, Meena Alexander, Githa Hariharan, Arundhati Roy to the younger generation of novelists Anita Nair, Kiran Desai and Jhumpa Lahiri along with two less explored novelists Rita Garg and Nayeema Mahjoor. Three regional writers- Sarah Joseph, Qurratulain Hyder and Mahasweta Devi are also part of this volume, though their write-ups are in regional languages, yet their translated works in English have earned wide popularity. The anthology with its diversity of topics is able to instill knowledge into the critical minds by opening many windows of knowledge to be revisited in the field of Indian women novelists and their works. The book Indian Women Novelists in English: Art and Vision was published by Vishwabharati Research Centre in the year 2018. It encompasses the thoughts, ideas, views and opinions of different academics and scholars, drawn from the deep and detailed studies of different renowned female novelists of India. Writers like Arundhati Roy, Manju Kapur, Mahasweta Devi, Jhumpa Lahiri, Chitra Banerjee Divyakaruni form the axis of study in this book. Each paper has different viewpoint and understanding of the theme and the central idea.
Keywords: Indian Women Novelists, Art, Vision, Indian Women Novelists in English: Art and Vision, Dr. Dipak Giri.
6. Rushdie's Resilience through Stoicism and Optimism in Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder: A Book Review
Reviewed by Tirthankar Laskar, Guest Lecturer, Department of English, Women’s College, Agartala, Tripura, India.
Abstract
Salman Rushdie's Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder is an enthralling narrative of survival and rehabilitation that is wrapped tight and passionately around a love tale about his wife, Eliza and also about incidents of attack that almost changed his life. A man dressed all in black, including his mask and clothes, charged down the aisle toward Salman Rushdie as he was getting ready to deliver a lecture on the value of protecting writers from harm on the morning of August 12, 2022, at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York. The man was armed with a knife and attacked Rushdie. Hence, Rushdie had to undergo physical therapy right after emergency surgery to regain hand use, and one side of his lower lip was left permanently paralyzed due to a damaged nerve in his neck. Rushdie therefore writes with urgency, seriousness, and unwavering honesty in his memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder. It serves as a very poignant reminder of how writing can make sense of the unimaginable. This is a personal reflection about life, love, grief, art, and having the will to get back up after falling. Rushdie states in the book's opening chapter that his attacker— whom he will not identify—had read very little of his writing. It can be concluded, from this that 'The Satanic Verses' was not the subject of the attack, whatever it may have been, he will make an effort to comprehend the content of this book.
Keywords: Salman Rusdie, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, Stoicism, Optimism.