The Red Hen Anthology of Contemporary Indian Writing: Contemporary Indian Writing

This anthology showcases one hundred contemporary Indian poets and fiction writers, exploring themes of modernist individuality, displacement, and ironic postmodernism across diverse sources and languages. The editors highlight the historical background and shared traditions of the collection while emphasizing the exploration of difference and common ground.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Red Hen Press

This remarkable anthology showcases a diverse collection of one hundred contemporary Indian poets and fiction writers, who excel in both English and the translation of works from other Indian languages.Spanning a wide geographical range, from Michigan to Mumbai, these creative minds draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of sources, ranging from ancient epics to twentieth-century world literature. Their themes explore a modernist individuality, a sense of displacement, and an ironic, postmodern embrace of multiple disjunctions. The editors provide a comprehensive historical background, highlighting the diverse Englishes present in the collection while also identifying the shared traditions and contexts that unite this diverse selection. By embracing coherence rather than unity, Hasan and Chattarji unveil the multifaceted nature of Indianness, as it serves as a means of exploring difference while also finding common ground. This anthology is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic literary landscape of India and its contributions to the global literary scene.

Introduction:
This anthology brings together a remarkable collection of one hundred contemporary Indian poets and fiction writers, who excel in both English and the translation of works from other Indian languages.Spanning a wide geographical range, from Michigan to Mumbai, these creative minds draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of sources, ranging from ancient epics to twentieth-century world literature. Their themes explore a modernist individuality, a sense of displacement, and an ironic, postmodern embrace of multiple disjunctions. The editors provide a comprehensive historical background, highlighting the diverse Englishes present in the collection while also identifying the shared traditions and contexts that unite this diverse selection. By embracing coherence rather than unity, Hasan and Chattarji unveil the multifaceted nature of Indianness, as it serves as a means of exploring difference while also finding common ground. This anthology is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic literary landscape of India and its contributions to the global literary scene.

Diverse Sources of Inspiration:
The sources of creativity for these poets and fiction writers are incredibly diverse, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity of India. From the ancient epics to twentieth-century world literature, they draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, allowing them to create works that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in Indian traditions. The themes they explore are multifaceted, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of Indian society.

Modernist Individuality:
One of the prominent themes in this anthology is the concept of modernist individuality. The poets and fiction writers explore the idea of personal identity and the challenges of navigating the rapidly changing world. They challenge traditional notions of identity and explore the complexities of cultural and social displacement. Through their writing, they offer a nuanced portrayal of the individual and their relationship with society.

Sense of Displacement:
Another theme that emerges is the sense of displacement experienced by many Indians in the modern world. Whether it is due to migration, globalization, or cultural clashes, these writers capture the emotions and experiences of individuals who are trying to find their place in a rapidly changing world. They explore the complexities of cultural identity, hybridity, and the search for a sense of belonging in a globalized society.

Ironic, Postmodern Embrace of Multiple Disjunctions:
In addition to these themes, the anthology also showcases an ironic, postmodern embrace of multiple disjunctions. The poets and fiction writers play with language, form, and structure, creating works that are both playful and thought-provoking. They challenge traditional narrative structures and explore the intersections of different cultures, ideologies, and perspectives. Through their writing, they offer a fresh and innovative perspective on the world.

Editors' Perspective:
The editors of this anthology have done an exceptional job in bringing together a diverse selection of writers and providing a comprehensive historical background. They identify the shared traditions and contexts that hold together this uniquely diverse selection, highlighting the importance of coherence rather than unity in the exploration of Indianness. By presenting a historical background to the various Englishes apparent in the collection, they offer a deeper understanding of the literary landscape of India.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this anthology is a testament to the incredible talent and creativity of contemporary Indian poets and fiction writers. Through their diverse sources of inspiration, modernist individuality, sense of displacement, ironic, postmodern embrace of multiple disjunctions, and editors' perspective, they offer a fresh and innovative perspective on the world. This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich literary heritage of India and its contributions to the global literary scene.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636280318