FEEDBACK
Dear Amrit, Congratulations!! I really enjoyed this issue of Muse India. Best, Nishi Pulugurtha
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Dear Nishi, Please give your mail ID, Place and date when you give your feedbak. Thanks, Editor. |
Very wide spectrum of coverage
Dear Dr. Amrit Sen,
I have received Muse India's Special Issue on Rabindra Nath Tagore. Its spectrum is so very wide. Going through articles dealing with different facets of Gurudev's extraordinary genius will prove immensely useful. So far I have gone through only two of them, one by Dr. Uday Narain Singh and the second on the paintings of Tagore. I have found both profoundly illuminating.
I regret not having sent my article on Amrita Shergil's Critique of Tagore, which I had promised. My engagement with the project at hand did not let me devote time for writing it in time.
I appreciate very much the labour and time you have invested in bringing out this issue. It impels me all the more to prepare my article, definitely after my return from USA before the end of the year.
Wishing you the best,
Prof Tejwant Singh Gill, USA tejwant_gill@yahoo.com Sep 5, 2010
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(Latest Issue) is really good and helpful to all... I love it...
Abu Saleh, M Phil student, HCU, Hyderabad abussalehenglish@g,ail.com Sep 2, 2010 |
On 'Streer Patra'
Dear Professor Sanjukta Dasgupta,
Thank you for the beautiful article ` “Streer Patra” - A Feminist Text?' published in Muse India. Really enjoyed it. I thought I recently read somewhere about Tagore's reading of foreign lit. and in that connection, some mention of Ibsen---but I am drawing a blank on it now. I had thought about this before, but reading again in your article the stress on the initial address (Shricharankamaleshu..) and the final sign-off (..charantolashroychhinna..) in the story, I wonder if the name Mrinal of the protagonist has been chosen to resonate particularly with the latter.
With deep regards,
Samir Bhattacharya, Editor, Parabaas, New Jersey bhattacharyasamir@gmail.com Sep 2, 2010 |
Dear Prof. Amrit Sen, My hearty congratulations for your compiling, editing and publishing such a wonderful, voluminous special issue on Tagore, the sole charismatic link between the East and the West! In this world of multiculturalism, Tagore’s views, expressed through his literature, are quite relevant. Thanks for publishing my article and the review of my book.
Dr. K V Dominic, Editor, Indian Journal of Postcolonial Literatures, Kerala, India prof.kvdominic@gmail.com Sep 2, 2010
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Dear Amrit,
Just browsed through the special Tagore issue. I found Muse India sporting a new look. Congratulations to you since you have devoted much of your valuable time to this Issue. Wish you success for similar ventures in future.
Naina Dey, Kolkata naina.dey@gmail.com Sep 1, 2010 |
Outstanding Issue
Dear Dr. Amrit,
This certainly is an outstanding issue on Tagore. Best wishes,
Aju Mukhopadhyay, Pondicherry ajum24@yahoo.co.in Sep 1, 2010 |
Hi Amrit, Seen the Issue, great stuff.. Will read all the papers in detail. By the way, from one Tagore fan to another - have you seen my poem "Teaching Tagore to 10 AS". Not being vain - but this poem is widely anthologised. Best wishes
Usha Kishore, UK vajra@manx.net Sep 1, 2010 |
Editorial of Tagore section
Dear Sir (Amrit Sen),
Your editorial truly states that quality in Tagore which we generally associate with Sri Ramkrishna - that of being able to sieve milk from water, and yet he was so authentically engaged to the causes of his time, which, as you have stated, was a time of flux in history.
"Concepts as diverse as multiculturalism, globalization and cosmopolitanism, ecology, issues of gender and caste, models of rural reconstruction and co-operatives, theories of travel and exchange. The sophistication and nuances of his logic remain points of entry into such debates within the perimeter of aesthetic pleasure" - is perhaps the nutshell of what we have understood of Tagore to some extent, so far.
But vast eternities of the "worker" Tagore still remain to be explored. Some groundbreaking research on this aspect of Tagore has been done by the late Prashanta Kr. Pal. It will be a path-building effort if these could be brought to light in the form of excerpts or which ever form you think suitable.
For the efforts of your group and yourself, let me state, you have silently and without much fanfare, done something that generations to come will find to be: "A lifelong fountain of innocent and exalted pleasure; a source of animation to friends when they meet; and able to sweeten solitude itself with best society, -- with the companionship of the wise and the good."
If it teaches those indifferent to Tagore to love him, and those who love him to love him more, the aim and the desire entertained in framing this will be fully accomplished.
Regards, Suchintya Majumder, Mumbai ryansuchintya@gmail.com Sep 1, 2010 |
Amrit Da,
Great Work! Muse India Sep-Oct, 2010 Issue is a fascinating one. Congrats!
Dr Jaydeep Sarangi, Kapgari, WB jaydeep_sarangi@rediffmail.com Sep1, 2010 |
I have just finished seeing your latest issue--an exquisite collection of art and literature on Tagore. Each click was an enriching experience. I read some poems, the editorial and a couple of reviews. Thank you for carrying my poems. My collection is also about to come out. Most warmly,
Sharad Chandra, NOIDA sharadchandra9@gmail.com Sep 1, 2010
(Thanks for your kind words. We are glad you are enjoying the Issue. – Managing Ed) |
Thanks for publishing my short story in the latest Muse India. The issue is simply superb. Looking forward to the Literary Festival.
Krishna Kumari Poduri kkpoduri@gmail.com Sep 1, 2010 |
The Issue is very tastefully designed.
Sudeshna Majumdar, Birbhum, WB soomaz2@gmail.com Sep 1, 2010 |
Nice and attractive
Muse India, Sep.-Oct. 2010 Special Tagore 150 Commemorative Issue is really very nice and attractive with very good articles. Commendable are the sincere endeavours of editors and contributors. Congratulations and best wishes to all. Happy Janmashtami.
(Thanks. WE wish you a happy Krishna Janmastami too! - Managing Ed)
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I am very honoured to be a part of this issue of Muse India. This is an excellent literary journal, with quality editors giving us all a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this community.
Rama Shivakumar, Bethesda, US rama.shivakumar@gmail.com Aug 31, 2010 |
Tagore 150 Commemorative Issue
Congratulations to you all for gifting a wonderful issue on Tagore in the 150th year. Regards,
Prof Udaya Narayana Singh, Pro-VC & Director, Rabindra Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan unsciil@yahoo.com Aug 31, 2010 |
My sincere thanks to the Editor Mr Rao for carrying out the amendments of those four lines , which got corrupted in my poem -"Journey to the Khyber Pass" !
Raj Nandy , New Delhi , rajnandy21@yhoo.in Aug 19, 2010 |
Dear Sir, My poem on "Journey to the Kyber Pass" has been spoilt by the moderator at your end! The rhyming pattern have been changed, the capital letters have been made small and the lat line repeated in a twisted form !!
This did not happen whe I had posted the same poem on two other sites ! Could you kindly withdraw this poem and post the correct version I had submitted ? Thanking you , - Raj Nandy New Delhi
My e-mail : rajnandy21@yahoo.in - is presently not opening due to some problem at yahoo.com !Kindly concact through your message box.
(Your e-mail has been hacked. You can't open it. As regards your poem, it is kept in tact, except some changes like the numbers are written in words, lines have been wraped to keep the text inside the screen, the sub-headings are highlighted which you did not do and like that. Please read the poem once again, you shall find that nothing has been in essence altered - K. Mallick) |
Having published my works on various sites prior to posting in 'Museindia.com', I would like to thank the Editor for making "Your Space" site so easily accessible to the members - each time we log in ! In other sites, despite the registration, you have to fill-up details each time you want to access the site ! Thank you !
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Substantive and Fine-looking
Dear Editors, I meant to tell you this earlier, but hopefully late is better than never: I love the new layout. It's a pleasure to have poems in a journal that is both substantive and so fine-looking. Thanks,
Robert Bohm, USA rebsalerno@comcast.net
(Thank you for your very warm words, Mr Bohm. Appreciation is always welcome, irrespective of when it comes! - Managing Editor) |
Muse India, a sincere effort
While browsing the net for a site which promotes sensible literature, I found your site and am very happy to inform you that the first thing I felt reading it for sometime was, "Well, here is one sincere effort".
I thank you and appreciate you for bringing such wonderful content to the fore. Being a literature lover, it’s a feast to see your site. I have instantly enrolled as a member of Muse India.
(Thanks for your kind words. We hope Muse India will continue to please your literary taste. - Managing Ed.) |
The new Muse India website is amazing. It looks fantastic and the new issue with all the sumptuous contents is absolutely fabulous. I am proud to be a part of this great magazine.
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Srinivas Sistla – Interaction with GSP Rao
The interview of Srinivas Sistla, the first translator of Sri Krishna Deva Raya’s Amuktamalyada into English, by GSP Rao, himself a biographer of the emperor-poet is interesting and illumining. The adage “blessing in disguise” has proved true with Srinivas’s two-month bed-ridden hospital experience but for which it would have taken a much longer time for him to study the sources concerned. It’s providential that he had exuberantly come out of it, to our fortune – and for further accomplishments in future, including his proposed translation of Manucharitra. It’s also providential that he could launch his book during the quincentenary celebrations. It is hoped that the next edition of Amuktamalyada would be complemented with visuals from places like Madurai, Srirangam, Srivelliputtur, and Tirukurungudi. And I am sure that the waves and ripples created by this book would touch the shores of leading publishing houses.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com Aug 2, 2010 |
Dear Sir, when we submit a poem or comment on poems of other members, why does that take more than one full hour to show up? On other poetry sites it comes up almost instantaneously! Also how do we have access to collective poems of individual members? Thanking you.
Raj Nandy, New Delhi rajnandy21@yahoo.in Aug 2, 2010
(Muse India is run on voluntary work of its editors and doesn't have full-time staff to attend to postings being submitted in Your Space. Editors do the postings a few times a day, so submissions may appear on the site after a few hours. We need to screen all submissions to eliminate junk/spam or even undesirable postings. This too takes time. Policies and facilities at other sites could be different. On this site, we don't have a facility to access collective poems of an individual. We retain only the postings of the last couple of months or so. Every month the older postings are dropped. -Managing Ed.) |
This is new format is better than the previous one. Let's hope, it would enthuse our members. Regards,
Ashish Dimri, New Delhi ashishdimri1@gmail.com Jul 29, 2010
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Feedback note in a different format
I feel it would look better if the Feedback note is set in a different format, font, and colour – showing it conspicuously apart from the feedbacks received. Please consider.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com Jul 24, 2010
(This is a good suggestion. We'll implement it. - Managing Ed) |
The new format of Muse India is very reader- friendly. Thank you for the same. I noticed that in the Authors Index, in my account, you missed mentioning one of my stories: AMALA, published in Issue-29. Kindly include it. Maybe the system failed to recognize it because I signed it as Vasundhara Devi and not as Ratakonda. Sorry for the trouble given.
Vasundhara Ratakonda, Madanapalle vratakonda@yahoo.com Jul 23, 2010
(We will look into this. We are in the process of thoroughly going over all the past Issues, now converted into the new format, to ensure that all items are duly credited to the authors in the Index. - Managing Ed.)
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I would like to extend my hearty congratulations for revamping the website of Muse India. The new look is very contemporary and classy.
Supriya Choudary, Hyderabad supriya_scholar@yahoo.com Jul 19, 2010
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A suggestion: Everytime I have to type three items (1) Name: Rajaram Ramachandran, (2) Place: Juhu, Mumbai, (3) Email: rajaram1931@gmail.com before sumitting my poem or opinion or fiction or comments on others' postings. If these items are stored in the memory, they will come automatically once I type the first one or two letters. Is there any possibility for introducing this procedure please? Thanks.
Rajaram Ramachandran, Mumbai rajaram1931@gmail.com Jul 18, 2010
(It is a good suggestion and we have been thinking on these lines. We will consult our technical team and see what best can be done. - Managing Ed) |
Wonderful being here
Muse India is a wonderful site with several like-minded people, who are from diverse backgrounds. It is a wonderful feeling being there.
Hema Ravi, Chennai hemravi@sify.com Jul 17, 2010
(Thanks. We are glad, like many others you find being in the site interesting and motivating. – Managing Ed) |
The new format of museindia is definitely appealing, organised and has an international look. I am reminded of Marcus Aurelius' quotation, "Keep constantly in mind in how many things you yourself have witnessed changes already. The universe is change, life is understanding." Surya and the entire team deserves to be praised for this laudable effort.
Sujatha Gopal, Hyderabad sujathathudiyil@gmail.com Jul 16, 2010 |
Lessons from Amuktamalyada
Prema Nandakumar’s masterly review of Sistla Srinivas’s Amuktamalyada stimulates many to own a copy of the book. Her words that this “translation is not going to be the last” are prophetic, what with her intense love of Telugu literature. And congratulations to Srinivas on his pioneering work – brought out at a most opportune time.
Yamunacharya’s advice to his son on the management of temple funds deserves to be displayed at every temple, at every endowments office including the Minister’s. How interesting it is that even during the medieval times there was always the danger of the temple funds being diverted and appropriated by the State! But they were consciously thinking of safeguards to be put in place. Our present day democratic rulers are, however, unparalleled in the embezzling skills. Even to celebrate the quincentenary celebrations of SKD’s coronation, the AP government has contributed (that too very reluctantly) just a pittance of Rs1 crore, as against squeezing Rs4 crores that it made the TTD to cough up, as if it is a religious event.
And Prema Nandakumar’s concern over the lack of English translations of Telugu classics should serve as an eye-opener and challenge to the litterateurs.
U Atreya Sarma Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com Jul 14, 2010 |
I marvel at your speed in collecting contributions, putting them in place and releasing Muse India numbers well in advance … and without compromising on quality. It's a matter of pride for the Telugus that you are running an e-literary journal of such repute and standing in which every promising and established writer in the country would like to e-publish his/her work. The number of poems in 'your space' bears testimony to this. At a time when print journals are faced with fund crunches, want of quality contributions, erratic frequency, your ejournal has opened a portal of hope for creative writers and critics alike. Kudos to your team for their spirited enthusiasm, and enduring perseverance. Having brought out so many numbers, I know you would keep up the excellent work you have been rendering.
K Damodar Rao, Associate Professor of English, Kakatiya Univ, Warangal damodarrao_k@yahoo.com Jul 13, 2010
(This is high praise indeed, coming from a scholar like you. We are grateful for such motivating words. The credit for timely release of our Issues goes to all our Contributing / Guest Editors as well as writers, who all send the material in time. We are thankful for their support. – Managing Ed) |
Dear Mr. GSP Rao and Ms Ambika Ananth, Congrats first of all for the spectacular design of the journal. Beyond any doubt Muse India is number one e-journal in India, content-wise and beauty-wise. Sorry for being late in appreciation as I was drowned in sorrow with the horrible tragedy of my friend and colleague, Prof. T. J. Joseph.
K V Dominic, Editor, IJPCL, Thodupuzha, Kerala prof.kvdominic@gmail.com Jul 11, 2010
(Thanks for your warm words.
We are sorry to hear about Prof Joseph being seriously injured in an attack by terrorists. We offer our sympathies and wish him early recovery. We also apologise for inadvertantly mentioning earlier about his passing away. We pray for his long life. - Managing Ed) |
The new Issue is very elegantly brought out. All features are well-dressed up. Congratulations to the editorial team for such a pleasant treat.
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A perceptive review
Dear Ambika Ananth, Let me thank you very sincerely for the excellent review you have done of my book "Talks and Articles" for your prestigious journal, "Muse India". The review is as comprehensive as it is perceptive; it is as generous as it is brilliant. I am really very deeply touched by the compliments you have paid me in such pleasingly fluent English. I can understand how deeply and thoroughly you have read the book for the review. I very much respect your commitment to the job. Good wishes to your wonderful team. With regards
C.Subbarao subbaraochepuru@gmail.com Jul 10, 2010
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The web site looks gorgeous. Change is for good. I am pretty impressed by the towering title. All the best for muse and its community.
J Srinivas jagirdar.srinivas@gmail.com Jul 8, 2010
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I have gone through the current issue of Muse India and I must say it is very impressive and certainly deserves a lot of kudos.
Pallavi Jayakar pallavijayakar@yahoo.com Jul 7, 2010 (On FaceBook) |
Diversified writings of India
As usual, it is brilliant---the current issue of Muse India. Good selection and fine editing. A wonderful read for those interested in finding true India via its diversified writings. Thanks for the treat.
Sunil Sharma, Mumbai drsharma.sunil@gmail.com Jul 6, 2010 (On FaceBook) |
Your widely read, esteemed literary e-journal is truly well revamped: superb layout, fab design, high-quality page make-up, and very interesting write-ups-- they all bear the unmistakable stamp of your brilliant editorship.
Swapan K Banerjee, Serampur, Hooghly, WB momobanerjee@yahoo.co.in Jul 7, 2010
(Thank you for the high praise. We believe it is the result of our team work. - Managing Ed) |
Gorgeous!
The new site of Muse India looks gorgeous!
Aruni Kashyap, Guwahati arunikashyap@gmail.com Jul 7, 2010
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Muse India looks more impressive now. The latest issue is as engrossing as ever. Feature on 'Prakriti' is excellent.Regards.
T.S.Chandra Mouli, Hyderabad tscmouli@hotmail.com Jul 7, 2010
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Appreciation of Artists of NE
Dear Mr.Rao,
The new Issue featuring works of artists from North-East India along with the poetic works is amazing.
I appreciate the meticulous efforts taken by the editorial team at Muse India. Being associated with Muse India is a memorable moment. I hope we would collaborate in the future.
Warm regards and best wishes for your future endeavours.
Anutosh Deb, Guwahati anutosh64@hotmail.com Jul 7, 2010
(Thanks for your warm words. We thank all the artists once again and will look forward to opportunities to collaborate with you in future. Regards. - Managing Ed) |
Muse India's new look is cool and refreshing.
Annie George, Kottayam, Kerala anniegeorg@gmail.com Jul 6, 2010 |
More organised
Just had a quick glance. Looks good and more organized.
Sukrita Paul Kumar, New Delhi sukrita.paulkumar@gmail.com Jul 6, 2010 |
Thank you for publishing my short story "Scents of Marigold". I like the new profile of Muse India along with its new set up.
Ashoka Sen, UK ashokasen@hotmail.co.uk Jul 6, 2010 |
No Contributing Editors for Telugu and Sanskrit
While the list of Contributing Editors reflects the variety of regional literatures of India, it’s a bit disconcerting that Telugu and Sanskrit literatures are not represented though they are very rich. I hope this gap will be bridged at the earliest.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com Jul 6, 2010
(Telugu literature was being looked after by Late Dr Bhargavi Rao, one of our founder editors, and now it is being overseen by Ambika Ananth with the help of Guest editors. As such we have not mentioned a Contributing Editor for Telugu. We will certainly have one when it becomes necessary. Sanskrit is a classical language and, unlike in our regional languages, no significant new work is being done in it. As and when we take up a special feature on Sanskrit literature, we will avail of services of an expert in that language. - Managing Ed) |
Issue Number missed out
What a pleasant and elegant look! Thanks to the redesign of Muse India site. The overall mix of the features and the writings within promise a delectable and sumptuous fare, it so appears even from a cursory look. Though Muse India was prompt and among the first to highlight and cover the Sri Krishna Devaraya quincentenary (Jul-Aug 2009 issue), the ripples continue even now – even after one year - what with the AP government having pitched in though belatedly. In that background, Prema Nandakumar’s review of Amuktamalyada by Sri Krishna Deva Raya is still timely and welcome.
There are a few suggestions though, which I am unable to resist putting forth for your consideration:
1. The frequency and the date of the issue are not shown. It could be shown in the red band at the other end of the ISSN reference, I feel.
2. There could be a ‘Home’ link for easy navigation back to the main page.
3. Nothing more is known about Mohan Humnabadkar, the sponsor – whom I profusely thank for his gesture – for his name doesn’t figure in the Authors Index, and we don’t have a bank of the members’ profiles.
4. The entries in ‘Your Space’ from July 2 onwards got deleted. So also when the last issue (May-June) was being uploaded, the March section got prematurely deleted in addition to some of the latest postings of April. Could some precaution be taken to save the vulnerable sections before taking up any redesign, reconstruction, reformatting, or uploading so that the data is not lost?
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com Jul 6, 2010
(Thanks for your warm words and also for pointing out the lapse on Issue No. and period. It is being set right now. 'Home' icon is already there, on top of all screens, to be used to go back to the homepage. May be you did not notice it. Mr Mohan Humnabadkar, sponsor of the Issue, did not want any details about him to be publicised. He just wanted to support our work. We have honoured his wishes. The problems you mention about 'Your Space' were due to server problems with the ISP who were hosting Muse India site earlier. Due to such recurrent problems only we had to switch over to another ISP. We hope similar mishaps will not happen again. - Managing Ed) |
Many thanks for your mail. The new Issue is handsomely produced. Congrats! I'm really happy to see the Northeast English poetry supplement.
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New Look is pleasing
Many thanks for publishing my poems in the current issue of Muse India. The new look of the journal is colourful and pleasing.
Saroja Ganapathy, Mumbai sagacherub@gmail.com Jul 5, 2010 |
Oh! Thank you to all those who worked hard for bringing out an Issue to reach our hearts, as an eye feast. Such a beautiful e-mag, exactly to international standards.
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Thanks for your mail. Your plan is certainly timely and laudable. Best wishes,
Aju Mukhopadhyay, Pondicherry ajum24@yahoo.co.in Jun 10, 2010
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What a superb idea... museindia is really something wonderful :)
Usha Akella, USA usha.akella@gmail.com Jun 10, 2010 |
Thank you for taking the initiative. Looking forward to reading it.
Niharika Shah nshah@glenviewpl.org Jun 10, 2010 |
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Good venture. Like it. (About planned feature on Tagore literature in Sep-Oct, 2010 Issue.)
M K Devburman mkdburman@gmail.com Jun 10, 2010 |
I had been facing difficulty accessing museindia site the last few days. I had requested the internet/cable operators several times and they were kind enough to restore the museindia connection today (1-6-2010). I am glad that I am with you all once again. My thanks are due to the editors, Surya and Kumarendra Mallick for their good support to me during this black out from museindia.
(We are happy after your difficulties with Internet service provider, you are now able to access our site. We are also glad you are back with us, particularly in the Your Space forum. - Managing Ed)
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Unable to access Muse India
For the last one week I am unable to open the website museindia.com, as it had happened earlier. I am daily reminding the cable operator, who says that I am connected to Tata Server, which has blocked the portal that contains both good and bad websites. If they block bad websites under one portal, the good webistes also get blocked along with the bad ones. This explanation, however, I am unable to digest myself. They are trying to fool me, I think. Yet, they say they are trying their best to restore this site. I personally went to their office to complain, and they say that they are sincerely trying to help me. It is my misfortune that things like this should happen, particularly in my computer. I am gettting all other websites, excepting museindia. I am informing you about this problem I am now facing. I checked up with other places, where they are not connected to Tata Server and they are able to get museindia in their computers. To my bad luck, I am served by Tata server. With best wishes,
(We are sorry to note the difficulty you are facing. It is surprising that an ISP like Tata Server should be the cause of this. Instead of dealing with your Cable Operator, who sounds helpless, may be you could try to reach someone responsible in Tata Server and see what exactly is their problem. Alternatively, try to avail of services of some other Cable Operator who does not depend on Tata Server. None of our other members from Mumbai has reported this problem to us. - Managing Ed) |
Sant Singh Sekhon
I would like to know the where abouts of Sant Singh Sekhon, his children and his grand son, who was interested to come to USA. Any information will be appreciated. I was very close to the family. I have been in USA for the last 50 years and am a retired university adminstrator.
Pritpal Singh Gill, USA pritpal3@aol.com May 23, 2010
(Sant Singh Sekhon passed away in 1997. May be Prof Tejwant Singh Gill, our Contributing Editor for Punjabi literature, knows something about his children. We'll forward your enquiry to him. His email - tejwant_gill@yahoo.com. - Managing Editor) |
A work of art
The current issue is a work of art. It is a rich, warm blend of cultures that is pleasing to the aesthetic senses and stirring to the reader's soul. I first became acquainted with, 'Muse India' via Sukrita Paul Kumar's conversation with Dr. Wazir Agha. I have been an admirer ever since.
I was mesmerized by the story of the exceptional painter, K Suguna Rao. His triumph over his physical disability is truly inspiring. My salute to him. I congratulate you and all the editors for a unique and beautiful creative effort. Warm regards,
Sandra Fowler, West Virginia sandrafowler7@hotmail.com May 17, 2010
(Thanks, Ms Sandra Fowler for your warm words. - Managing Editor) |
Conscientious work
While offering my congratulations to the conscientious Editors for the Issue of MI (Issue 31, May-June 2010) that truly combines the local with the global and the ethnic with the cosmopolitan, there are some conceptual issues regarding literature and poetry that I would like to touch upon. I also would like to express my appreciation for the strong visual impact of the Issue and the vast range that it covers.
The sections on Karbi literature and the Nicaragua poetry festival are enriching for different reasons, and form the main attractions of the Issue. The poems from the festival selected by Usha Akella and her graphic impressions of it are a pleasure to read, and reiterate the faith that ‘the poetry of the earth is never dead.’ It is significant that the best poetry in the section comes from countries which have faced social and political turmoil (Israel, Slovakia/Hungary, Romania) and by poets who move beyond personal concerns in search of a larger truth or reality (Lina Zeron, Mexico, Tsead Bruinja, The Netherlands. Sigurdar Palsson, Iceland); the debate of whether literature is meant for intellectual elites or for the common man goes back to the famous debate on the topic by William Wordswoth in his “Preface to the Lyrical Ballads” and Samuel T Coleridge’s rejoinder to it in “Biographia Litereria”. In the 20th century, Modernists and Postmodernists have taken stands on both sides of the divide. What makes this section important, apart from the fact that it has made such good poems available to the readers of MI, is that all the poems featured exemplify that good poetry moves beyond a mere subjective expression of the poet’s feelings and emotions, has its own framework of art, craftsmanship and aesthetics and functions on multiple layers of meaning and complexity. This is what is posited by Indian aesthetics too, especially by the Dhvani theory, according to which the capacity of literature to work through suggestion rather than statement is what makes the multiple layers of meaning in it possible. Broaden this framework and it becomes the basis for the experience of all good literature, short stories included.
A very special mention of the efforts of Uddipana Goswami in putting together the Section of Karbi Literature and including three major forms of writing – poetry, short story and novel, apart from interesting insights into Karbi life in the other write ups - is in place. It draws attention to (a) the dynamism of a literature that is still trying to find its feet and evolve its script, (b) the urgent need for the richness of the oral traditions in literature to be documented, (c) the social and political realities that inhere in the lives of a group of marginalised people, and (d) the significance of translations in bringing the richness of this kind of literature within our reach.
On a personal note, I would like to add that our academia which actively promotes the studies of ethnic literatures of other nations (which have attained high visibility due to political and academic patronage in the shape of travel grants, scholarships etc), is hardly aware of indigenous traditions and literatures which voice equally important concerns. Good funding/Fellowships/Associateships for Projects dealing with Indian literatures and cultures are available from the University Grants Commission and other academic institutes like The Indian Institute of Advanced Study and Indian Council for Historical Research for scholars wishing to undertake such work, especially in hitherto uncharted areas, and young scholars must come forward to avail themselves of these facilities.
The Regular features are a mixed buffet of the good and the not-so-good, with a healthy blend of short stories, reviews, poetry and interviews. The interviews could have been more exhaustive, though. And, isn’t it a bit late in the day to review a book (“The Argumentative Indian”) in 2010, when it has been published in 2005, and when Amartya Sen has published, at least, a couple of much-discussed books subsequently – “Identity and Violence: The illusion of Destiny” (2006) and the voluminous “The Idea of Justice” (2009)? Perhaps that review could have been expanded into an independent critique and feature.
Ambika Ananth and Surya Rao – thanks to both of you and your team, for the innovativeness of the concept that could bring two such divergent currents in culture and literature together on one canvas.
Charanjeet Kaur, Thane charanje_et@yahoo.co.in May 16, 2010
(We greatly appreciate the interest you have taken to send a comprehensive feedback on the Issue and your comments on whether literature is meant for intellectual elites or for the common man. - Managing Editor) |
New Voices – Debate
Wise are the words of the Managing Editor, and I agree with him. The debate could have been a little more sober, but then the heat was like that – maybe due to the present blazing summer! I’m ready to bury the hatchet – though the debate is just academic - and I do respect the standing and erudition of Dr Raghupathi.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com May 15, 2010 |
Sometimes things go out of hand. I have an essay on reviewing written by L.E.Sissman who wrote it for the Atlantic Monthly. Indian Book Chronicle carried it long ago in 1976 and on my suggestion carried it again in 2001. I would be delighted to send it at this juncture when new reviewers may emerge. Let us always try to improve ourselves with constant striving.
(Thanks, Dr Rama Rao, Please forward the piece. We are sure it will be helpful to many. - Managing Editor)
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Reply to Dr Raghupathi’s rejoinder – New Voices
Let me, at the outset, assure everyone that I don’t have any claims to authority of scholarship, much less an audacious one.
After all, poetry is written for the readers, including the lay ones, and not for the delight of the reviewers or critics. Hence whatever I felt as a layman on the basis of my own understanding of things, I had so responded. I don’t think, once an issue has come up for public debate, there is any hierarchical protocol for reaction. And can anyone vouchsafe that unanimity exists on matters like this even among the savants of same hierarchical level of erudition?
The comment (“I am not a salesman, or a hired reviewer”) is uncalled for, for the reason that anyone who likes a work need not be a salesman or a hired reviewer. Conversely, couldn’t it be argued that a reviewer has been pungently critical for having not received any gratification?
If what I express from what I have learnt from my teachers, books, friends, and experience is “simply parroting” I don’t mind it. And I don’t think anyone could be self-taught in an insular atmosphere – in matters of scholarship. By the way, has the reviewer made any fresh discovery in his review in order to sound “new”?
I don’t deny the importance or felicity of writing in one’s mother tongue, but then felicity and aptitude are relative. In fact, I do feel that mother tongue has to be a compulsory subject at all levels, and whatever the course of study. I don’t deny Dr Raghupathi’s impression that the appeal of “commuter” writers lies mostly with the Western readership. But then don’t we have poets like Toru Dutt and Sarojini Naidu who wrote in English? Is not Aurobindo’s Savitri rated superior even to Milton’s Paradise Lost by some critics? Hasn’t the Aurobindian scholar Prof Srinivas Iyengar introduced the subject of “Indian writing in English” in the university education? If no Indian is supposed to write in English, then journals like Muse India have to pack up.
My take is that, if an anthology is not worth reading, won’t it be better to ignore it, rather than give it a negative publicity? The purpose of a review, in my opinion, is to draw readers to it, not to repel them away from it. And I don’t mean, a review has to be panegyrical.
In fact, in the present context, a big word like ‘poetics’ need not have been used, for after all, the poets in question have simply given their own approach and philosophy of their own poetry writing. Much of what Aristotle had originally postulated has drastically changed over the time. And I don’t suppose that creativity can ever be imprisoned in a strait-jacket – which is why – whether one likes it or not, poets have broken out of the rules of prosody in favour of free verse and similar innovations.
I do agree that a scholar of Dr Raghupathi’s eminence has nothing to learn from a student like me, but I am willing to learn from anyone including a teenager even with lesser qualifications. I am perplexed that Dr Raghupathi has got so offended as to feel that I have “downgraded” him. There is no scope for any “petty prejudice” at all since I don’t know anything about either Dr Raghupathi or the poets under review nor am I shackled to any particulars school of thought. Only now I may begin to know of them by browsing the Internet. Anyway, none has been / is above criticism, - and not even Rama, Krishna or Gandhi, - that’s the Zeitgeist.
I was only being forceful in what I had said, but didn’t mean any disrespect to Dr Raghupathi, who rightly said that he need not be apologetic. Far from it, I have utmost respect for the learned, especially the teaching community. If he still feels that I had hurt him, I do apologise to him.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com May 14, 2010
(We regret to see the tone and tenor of exchanges between Dr Raghupathi and Mr Atreya Sarma, both highly learned persons. We have refrained from editing their responses to allow their feelings to come through. Both have their valid points of view, but we feel the same can be, and should be, shared in a more sober manner, appropriate to their scholarship. It will be nice to see them bury the hatchet and not take anything personally. - Managing Editor) |
Rejoinder to Sarma’s Feedback – New Voices
The feedback of my review of “NEW VOICES” given by Sarma amply testifies, it seems so, that he must have over read my observations. I haven’t made any serious or otherwise outrageous observations in my review that should have prompted Sarma to come out in defense of the editor and the poets included in the anthology. First of all I am bit surprised, if not shocked, why he should overreact to my observations which I find sensible and objective for which I need not be apologetic when this, I expect, should have come from the desk of the editor of the anthology. However I would like to clarify certain remarks he has made in his feedback since the tone shows his audacious claim of authority of scholarship.
First, Sarma should know that review doesn’t mean only appreciation; and reviewers are not salesmen to promote the books which they review. I am not a salesman, or a hired reviewer, a much worse job that I can do so in my life.
Second, there is nothing new in Sarma’s claim that English as a medium of art has been a settled issue. He is simply parroting what others have said in the past. I do not however dispute with this fact in its global sense. But what I contend is that its serious limitation as having failed itself to adapt the nativity of different cultures, much of the Indian one as I confine myself to it in the present context. The nuances of the native culture are best expressed in their fineness, delicacy and excellence only in native languages howsoever one may claim the superiority of English. Even if the so called urban-polished writers have been successful at international markets and claim themselves to be the masters of English, their manner of using it as a medium to transport and transmit the nativity is a cry far from reality. Most of these writers are commuters, shuttling between the Indian capital cities and western capital cities and writing about cross cultural and Diaspora issues. Their comfortability in English is still questionable. They may have succeeded in pleasing the western audience but have failed to prove the ability of English or its malleability to express itself in the nativity. Even Rushdie’s chutnefication of English (he couldn’t have done more than that) is only a last experiment. Most of these writers have failed to live in native sensibilities, though have succeeded peripherally. A native writer writing in one’s own vernacular language is more comfortable than an Indian writer writing in English. That Indian mind is still colonized in reference to accepting the controvertible statement that English as a medium of art in Indian context is a settled issue. The feeling of enormity of English, simply because of its colonial character and now because of its global character is predominant in the ‘collective unconsciousness” of Indians, to use Carl Jung’s phrase, much more in the case of Indian writers writing in English. This cannot be erased so easily; and perhaps Sarma is talking from this anvil. If he feels he is comfortable, let him be so.
Third, Sarma should know that editing anthologies requires skill, experience and knowledge. It has emerged as a new genre of writing in the recent days. Maturity is an important element which is unfortunately not taken into account while editing. These days it has become a fashion with most poets writing in English in India who seem to have wedded to the philosophy of “get-quick-exposure/fame” and who have given little credence to these elements. Many of these anthologies are not worth reading, not to speak of their fitness to be placed on the racks in libraries. To review such anthologies and poetry collections one need not have the scholarship and vision of Dr. Johnson and other English critics as Sarma claims. It is enough if the reviewer has the finer sensibilities and a sense of objectivity.
Fourth, Sarma has also commented on my observations on the poetics. It is true poetics is a matter of subjectivity. But he should know that it has emerged as a science, its origin being traced to Aristotle. Writing poetry is immediate, while writing poetics is a product of maturity, experience and knowledge. Even the successful erstwhile poets of the post Independence period have talked less of it because of the uncertainty character of their poetry. Only Sri Aurobindo has done it with remarkable distinction, his background, knowledge and experience being different, and his poetics has come to be recognized as part of the continuity of Indian poetic tradition.
With all these pitfalls I have pointed out in less harsh tone only with an intention to educate not only the poets and editor of the anthology (perhaps they may come out with a new anthology with a difference) but also others who seem to be less ignorant, I have nevertheless carefully brought out the merit in a few pieces which I cited as examples. I feel I have done a balanced act in reviewing the book, and I don’t think I should have to learn lessons from Sarma as to how I should review books. Further, I don’t think the pitfalls I have pointed out should become the potential cause for Sarma to downgrade me or much less should become a source of discouragement to the poets. The only thing I suggest is that they may ponder and take my rightful comments, though may seem to be unpalatable, in right spirit. Let us be catholic in our outlook and not be swept by petty prejudices. Let our minds be not shut to the criticism with which we are most uncomfortable and be open to the praise with which we are most comfortable. I do not understand why the learned go jittery when criticism is made. K V Raghupathi, Kadapa raghupathi9_2007@yahoo.co.in May 13, 2010 |
Training programme in Book Publishing
National Book Trust is conducting a 2-week Training Course in Book Publishing at Vijayawada and New Delhi. Course fee is Rs. 5000/- for the New Delhi program and Rs. 1000/- for the Vijayawada program. Lodging and other expenses need to be borne by the participant.
This is ideally suited for young graduates keen on getting into the publishing industry in various roles. Details are given in website of NBT http://www.nbtindia.org.in/index.aspx. In their homepage itself there is a link to the Training Course.
I am very happy to share that one of Muse India’s members, an accomplished poet herself, Dr Nikhila Naik, has generously offered to bear the course fee of one candidate, if selected for the course. Those interested need to rush their application to NBT. They may contact Nikhila at nikhila_naik@yahoo.com.
G S P Rao, Hyderabad chiefeditor@museindia.com May 13, 2010 |
VI International Festival of Poetry of Granada, Nicaragua
The potpourri of poems provided in the section is exotic coming as they do from across the globe – on a multiplicity of themes and in their distinct styles. Gahston Saint-Fleur of Haiti has potently portrayed the extreme paradoxes of human civilization on a wide and sweeping canvas. What title he gave to his poem, I am just curious.
Usha Akella is to be wowed for her panoramic presentation of the event as well as the sights, sounds, and smells redolent in this largest Central American Republic. The insertion of the idyllic pictures of Granada has lent the necessary ethnic touch. Her description of the ambient international bonhomie by way of “handshakes of uneven fingers in one clasp” is evocative. It would have warmed the cockles of our hearts had she given the names of the poets from India that attended and included at least one of their poems – taking Usha as an American. One more aspect I couldn’t make out is, in which languages the poems were presented.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com May 13, 2010 |
Thank you U Atreya Sarma for your generous and insightful feedback and good wishes. I think that your feedback adds to the content of the journal and enriches it further. One of the observations Sunetra Gupta made regarding her choice of profession was that she could be a scientist and still pursue writing whereas sadly it could not have been the other way round.
This also reminds me that John Keats in the early part of his short life studied medicine for some time to become an apothecary but he did not discard his medical books when he decided to become a poet because as he said, "Every department of knowledge we see is excellent and calculated towards a great whole." I am happy and thankful that Muse India has published my interview with Sunetra Gupta.
Amit Shankar Saha, Kolkata saha.amitshankar@gmail.com May 13, 2010 |
Focus on Karbi literature and culture as well as feature on poetry festival in Nicaragua are outstanding. All the poems and fiction in the current issue are enchanting. Thanks for providing enough engrossing material to keep us cool and comfortable at home, during this blistering summer. Best regards.
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Review of New Voices
The review of the anthology New Voices by Dr KV Raghupathi is unduly harsh and prefaced with avoidable generalities spread over two lengthy paragraphs wherein he even questioned about the merit of English as a medium of literary art for Indians though it has already been a settled matter.
His obiter dicta on the “limited exposure,” and “limited output” of the poets – and hence his “serious limitation to pass any verdict” sound extraneous. Is the size of the output a main criterion for literary criticism? Doesn’t Ben Jonson say:
“In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.”?
To evaluate and appreciate the current output, how will the earlier oeuvre have to be a pre-requisite, I fail to understand. To see and enjoy a movie do we need to go back to the earlier repertoire, if any, of its director.
The reviewer remarks: “Annie George is simple and less pompous” - thereby implying that the immediately foregoing poet Shyamala Nair is pompous, but without having shown any pompousness in the latter’s work. So also he faults Naushad’s poetic concept of “perfection” and rules that perfection is a myth, though the idea of perfection is relative to an individual.
The most shocking comment is that Sandhya in her confessional and reflective aspects has fallen short of renowned poets like Kamala Das, Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickinson! If an aspiring poet ought to have the calibre of famous poets, doesn’t it follow that a critic also ought to have the competence of a Dr Samuel Johnson, an AC Bradley, or a Matthew Arnold? Can’t we enjoy a work objectively rather than prescriptively?
So also the critic’s cavilling about the poetics enunciated by the poets is uncharitable, for the reason that poetics is a matter of subjectivity; and it’s not a science to fit into an iron-cast definition or prescription.
Only towards the end, the reviewer relents a bit and approves of the attempt of joint anthologies as bold and encouraging. But then the undue harshness in the rest of the article on the budding poets only serves to discourage and scare them away. After all, one is not supposed to assess the composition of a Tenth Class student on the yardsticks of an M Phil programme.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com May 11, 2010 |
Review of The Argumentative Indian
While it is interesting that the book by an economist has been reviewed by a lecturer in English, it’s not fair or correct to brand those who have different views on the nature of Indian identity as “bigots” (Para 8: “In his critical essay ‘The Indian Identity’ Amartya Sen compares his idea of Indian identity with the concept of Indian identity touted by bigots.”). While “bigot” is an attribute that is liberally foisted on others, one’s claim to being “liberal” is amusing, for “liberal” is a self-styled appellation in the Indian political lingo.
The book, it appears from the review, is an elaborate exercise in argumentativeness and polemics, if not sophistry. While some perceive the national or racial or religious identity as a colour in the spectrum of weltanschauung, some are given to self-abnegation in the name of rationality and supercilious modernism. Anyway, the complexity of globalisation and the travails of indigenous socioeconomic lives have landed vast number of people in a welter of weltschmerz. A much more ginormous and a larger scale synergic effort on the solid foundations of human praxis and hard realities is required – far more than Utopian shibboleths – to see smiles on the faces of people across the board.
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com May 11, 2010 |
Sunetra Gupta – In Conversation with Amit Shankar Saha
My impression that more creative writings have emerged from people of non-literature background has been once again confirmed in Sunetra Gupta, an epidemiologist who has produced prize-winning general literature. Her observation that “cultures should co-exist and enrich each other – but it is also important that they should not serve as permanent impermeable membranes,” is interesting and significant with increased trans-territorial and trans-cultural intercourses. And she is competent to say so, living as she does in the UK away from her country of birth.
The change of her stance on nostalgia and structured dreaming is a testimony to the vibrant and evolving life of a dynamic litterateur. And her observation that she is not after spotlight but is contented with the space to write is a healthy personal and professional trait. That her daughters when they grow up could have perceptions of their own that could be hugely different from her is an honest and pragmatic admission, and anyway no parent wants their children to be their clones.
And people like me will be eagerly waiting for Sunetra’s proposed book on the relationship between the languages of science and literature.
Godpseed to Sunetra! And kudos and good luck to Amit Shankar who has brought out interesting vignettes out of the interview!
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com May 11, 2010 |
Window with Multiple Panes
It’s a magic mansion
With multiple windows
The horizon goes expanding
The panes are uncountable
And unbelievably diverse
Each pane presents a person different
Revealing experience and expression
It’s all human – to our brothers and similars
The Muses are daughters of Zeus (King of Greek Gods) and Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memory). They are nine in number, each a presiding deity over a discipline or branch of literature and arts. But we in Bharat have one goddess of learning and expression. Ultimately all believe in the one and the same Supreme Being. Muse India has been doing wonderful work: it is a publishing house that takes immense pleasure in presenting creativity in all its multitudinous variety. This issue carries a bunch of fourteen poems from our international brethren, which were read in a festival in Nicaragua.
It is assuring and surprising that the preoccupations of poets all over are just the same or at least uniquely similar - the cries of anguish, dissatisfaction, aspirations and hopes, dreams and disappointment, poignant awareness of the tears in the nature of things and the presentation of the human condition. The best of the bunch is the assertion ‘My Country, My Great Country’ from Mexico echoing our vibrant asseveration Mera Bharat Mahaan! The poem from Netherlands, last but not the least, is without a title, which we appreciate: a title necessarily limits for it can never tell all.
We record our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the poet Usha Akella for presenting the feature.
V V B Rama Rao, NOIDA vadapalli.ramarao@gmail.com May 11, 2010 |
Thank you so much for the sweet memoirs of our grandfather (Mr P S Narayana). Blessed are we to be part of the dynasty he created.
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Dear Ms Ambika Ananth,
I must say that in a short time of your taking over as the Chief Editor, results are showing. My congratulations to you and all the team members of Museindia; earlier, now and in future. Museindia is destined to go places!
Wishing you all that is best,
Prof. Dr.P.S.N.Rao, New Delhi May 6, 2010 |
THE FUTURE OF RAJA RAO'S ARCHIVE IS THREATENED
Murli Melwani, Dallas, Texas, USA (teawala@hotmail.com) has forwarded the following mail.
Dear esteemed colleagues,
The rationale behind this email is my concern over a current threatening situation with regard to the future of Raja Rao's archive. Recent developments have meant the repossession of Rao's rented property of thirty years in Austin, Texas, where Rao's fragile papers have been kept for many years.
I am attaching an article I have written on the current circumstances regarding Rao's legacy and archives and which I would like to publish in a leading newspaper. So far, the editors I have contacted (from The Guardian, The Hindu and The New York Times), have not shown any interest in the publication and diffusion of the article. This appears to be incongruous with the great attention given to other prominent Indian authors such as Salman Rushdie, whose recent archive sale to Emory University has been widely publicised.
Unfortunately, the past attempts towards the funding of the Raja Rao Publication Project through the NEH have been unsuccessful. We aim to submit another application in October 2010. In the meantime, we are still continuing work on the Project and our core structure is currently working on the cataloguing and editing projects even without funding.
I would be grateful if you could thus spread the word about this current situation among the contacts that you deem would be interested in helping the Raja Rao Project, either academically or, if possible, financially. I strongly believe that spreading the news about what is happening to Rao's works and legacy will not only help to raise awareness about the Project generally, but will also influence and hopefully make it possible to reorganise the future of Rao's archives.
I look forward to your replies and the queries you might have with regard to the Project.
Best wishes,
Dr. Letizia Alterno
Editor-in-Chief of The Raja Rao Publication Project
http://www.therajaraoendowment.org/project.html |
Thanks for the info regarding the new issue. I am sure summer will be more bearable with all that delicious reading to do. Have a great month.
H. Kalpana, Pondicherry hkalp@yahoo.com May 3, 2010 |
The new issue of MI is impressive and informative. I have read most of the poems, and specially the section on Karbi. From my IIT Kharagpur days (1960-64) I have been very fond of NE, for I had many excellent friends from Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland. People in NE are simple, friendly, I should say very friendly, and in fact, if our post-independent administrators could have opened their eyes, a Switzerland could have been created in this region. As an earth scientist I am intimately connected with this region rich with natural resources like hydrocarbon (earlist discovery in Digboi) and a stage for earthquakes, the 1897 Shillong earthquake being one of the biggest in the world.
I feel deeply wounded that with ulterior motives the wily politicians have fractured a lovely land and its equally lovely and peaceful people. All the seven states are, in essence, one. In one of our Scientific seminars in 2001 we had conducted an essay competition for school children covering all the seven states. I had an opportunity to read through more than hundred essays to feel the young hearts of our north eastern states.
Today I see NE from another rich angle.
Kumarendra Mallick Hyderabad kumar.muse@yahoo.com May 03, 2010 |
I owe my debt to Muse India. I never thought of writing in English. But Muse India showed me a new horizon for my writings. My regards to Dr Kumarendra Mallick.
Puttu Kulkarni, Karnataka puttuputtuk@yahoo.co.in May 2, 2010 |
Delighted, as always, to see a fabulous Muse India issue. May Day greetings to you too.
Nabina Das, US nabinamail@yahoo.com May 2, 2010 |
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Thanks for another interesting issue. Some of the fiction pieces especially "The Neighbour with the dog" and "Vishnu and the two glasses of milk" were enjoyable. With kind regards,
Ahana Lakshmi, Chennai ahana@arm-c.com May 2, 2010
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Dear Muse Team,
Firstly, since this is my first feedback here, I need to appreciate the great work you are doing in promoting poetry and literature. It is indeed a great delight to see innumerable talented poets find a place in Your Space (courtesy You!).
Secondly, I wish to thank Ambikaji for mentioning me and my poem among her selected few. I was surprised to find my poem up there!
Finally, the new venture of contests is great! It would be a nice incentive for writers to submit more of their poems and it will also give Muse India some more quality stuff .
Wishing Muse India all the best in the coming years. Regards,
(Thanks for your kind words. - Managing Editor) |
I read museindia literary e-journal and I am very happy with it. Well known poet Brammarajan is the right person for the Tamil literature section. Thiruppaavai and Thiruvembai translation work is worthy. (Editorial) on current Tamil literature world is also good. The photographs used in the section taken by Selvan are fantastic. Keep up the good work.
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Manu Das' tribute to Dilip lit my memories of UR, Nirmal Verma and Sartre. Incidentally I read Dilip's poem Bhopal only yesterday in Pratilipi. There wasn't a trace of personal anguish in the poem. It has the poet's revulsion to the first world export of chemicals of mass destruction to our country. Thanks Manu!
Raja Jaikrishan (email not given) Mar 13, 2010 |
Thanks for the letter and the latest issue of Muse India. I feel so honoured to be in touch with you and your team. I shall try to translate some of my poems dealing with nature (fitrat in Urdu). It is really good you are paying attention to the nefa poets and literature. They are usually not in our collective consiousness. With regards,
Arman Najmi armannajmi@gmail.com Mar 9, 2010
(Thanks, Najmi Saheb. Please send your fitrat poems in translation. – Managing Editor) |
Congratulations on the success of Muse India! I have been following many of your online issues and found them different and interesting. I work with Nagaland Board of School Education and have done a great deal of work in changing the English language teaching curriculum based on inputs from practicing teachers. I have just redone the 9th standard text book and am, at the moment, working on the 10th standard text book. I found it extremely difficult to get relevant material, contexually appropriate and thematically relevant. Since your Issue seems to focus on NE this fortnight (actually the Jul-Aug 2010 Issue – Mng.Ed.), I would be grateful if we could look at the short stories, poems or plays from the angle of using them as teaching texts in our book if found suitable? Thanks and regards.
Jayshri Kannan, Faridabad, Haryana jayshrik@gmail.com Mar 6, 2010
(Thanks. You seem to be doing interesting work. We have forwarded your mail to Mr Robin Ngangom who will be editing the special section on NE poetry. – Managing Editor) |
The March-April 2010 issue of Muse India is well presented. The usual features and special items are aesthetically given. We thank the Muse India team for the treat.
Varanasi Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry rbvaranasi@gmail.com Mar 6, 2010
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The editorial by Ambika Ananth is panoramic touching upon a mosaic of things. Every creative writer and habitual reader would agree with her quote that “writing and reading is therapeutic.” Conversely, one can say that the dry and unwelcome spells of cessation from writing and reading could be pathogenic. If we weigh Ambika’s words and thoughts a bit keenly, one would consent that it foretells of a more professional touch to Muse India - true to a quality and respectable literary journal.
The editors are to be thanked for having introduced to Muse India readership yet another skilled artist Suvarchala Vissa. The gallery of this self-taught artist is refreshing, serene as well as scintillating. They are certainly a good poetry - in a pictorial form. They are almost life-like, and I liked two of them best: Hibernation and Submerged.
The contents list indicates that the current journal is a cornucopia of varied and interesting topics. Well … it takes time to be able to go through it all … and I am sure it would be worth its while … and we’ve nearly two months of time to feast on the fare.
So...well done, Muse India!
U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com March 05, 2010 |
I feel it a must to register a few impressions of mine regarding your Special Issue on Tamil Literature. Though 'glimpses', yet it should have been more comprehensive and inclusive. Women writing poetry in Tamil are probing deep into the mysteries, complexities and politics of life but Ms.Thara Ganesan's article deals with the usual, conventional Theme of Loneliness, more or less in the conventional manner. Where is the need to call Leena Manimekalai's poems 'confessional'? True, there is a certain percentage of confession in all poems, but no poem is mere confession. While introducing Tamil Literary trends and works to the discerning readers of the other parts of India as well as the world it is really sad and unfortunate that the Editor of the Special section has not even a single positive observation to make. I sincerely feel that the situation is not all that dismal here. And, I have six poem-collections and more than twenty works of translation to my credit and I do translate literary works too from Tamil to English. This I say by way of correcting my brief profile given in the said Special Issue. Regards
Latha Ramakrishnan ramakrishnanlatha@yahoo.com Mar 5, 2010
(A comprehensive and inclusive coverage is difficult in just a ‘section’ of a journal, that too for such an evolved literature like Tamil. It is for this reason that we had called the section mere ‘glimpses.’ We have suggested to our Contributing Editors to work on specific themes, within a language literature, for a more effective coverage. The section editor will be in a better position to respond to the other points you raise. As for your profile, it is same as that which has existed on museindia site for some time now, created based on inputs from you earlier. If you send us updates to your profile – and that is the only way we get to know of developments in your literary work - we will bring it up to date. – Managing Editor) |
Dear Ambika,
Thank you for a lovely review of my book. You write with such feeling and are always very kind as a reviewer. It is encouraging for a writer to get such a warm response. Many thanks. I must congratulate you for Chief Editorship. I am very confident Muse India will get better and better. I read your Editorial and was impressed.
Ranu Uniyal Pant ranu_uniyal@rediffmail.com Mar 5, 2010
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My tribute to you and all your staff and participants! It's a soulful job (done)!
I have deep north-east connections. So, I would very much appreciate your inclusion of Seven Sisters' living material for research, and highlight (it). North-east is unexplored area. It's still not a privileged (literature). Why not mesmerise the readers with north-east gems?
Muse India is literature's flag of honor! Best regards,
(Thanks for your warm words. NE literature has been getting recognition. We have covered some aspects of it in our past Issues. We hope our coverage in May-Jun 2010 Issue will bring to light new talent. If you have specific suggestions, do write to us. - Managing Editor) |
Latest issue of Muse India, as usual, offers a rich variety in genres and content. The obituary-cum-memoir of Dilip Chitre by Manu Dash has truly brought out the greatness of the man and the poet. I also remember how he used to address "Dear All," implying those who are on the same wavelength.
The article on Manju Kapur's novel presented a lucid, critical analysis of the text. I haven't read, as yet, the other articles (and will be doing so soon).
K Damodar Rao, Warangal damodarrao_k@yahoo.com Mar 4, 2010 |
After going through the poems and some articles selected from Tamil literature I am deeply overwhelmed by the treasures India has. I wish our authors take a look at our riches.
The present Mar-Apr 2010 Spring issue of Museindia is of special significance to me for it carries, besides two of my poems selected from Your Space, an excellent review of my book of verses by Ambika Ananth. The review leaves me speechless.
I wish to thank Ambika, Surya and all my fellow authors for their inspiring words and emotional support encouraging me to do what I never dreamt of doing even two years back.
Kumarendra Mallick Hyderabad kumar.muse@yahoo.com Mar 04, 2010 |
Thanks a lot for sending another brilliant issue of Muse India. Article by Manu Dash on the late Dilip Chitre is excellent. Prof John Oliver Perry in his email exchanges with me has talked about Mr Jayanta Mahapatra and Mr Dilip Chitre. You may consider requesting Prof Perry to write an article on these two giants. Other articles are praiseworthy and arrest attention. I thank Madam Ambika Ananth for her selecting my poem in selections from Your Space.
You and your team have been doing a peerless service to humanity.
Dr K K Srivastava kksrivastava_ran@yahoo.com Mar 3, 2010
(Thanks Dr Srivastava for your kind words and suggestion. We'll follow up on it. - Managing Editor) |
Thanks again for the recent issue Muse India which continues to inspire the reading public. Regards,
Baskaran Gavarappan rgbaskaran@gmail.com Mar 3, 2010 |
Congratulations to you and Ambika for another glorious issue of MuseIndia.
Brian Mendonca, New Delhi brianlibra@gmail.com Mar 3, 2010 |
Waiting for the Karbi issue (May-Jun 2010). May be this would be the first on a lesser known tribe of North-east.
M K Devburman mkdburman@gmail.com Mar 3, 2010
(We had briefly covered about Karbi, Bodo, Rabha and Nepali literatures in our Issue on Assamese Literatures, Jan-Feb 2008. - Managing Editor) |
Congratulations to Ambika Ananth ! The first issue of Muse India under her Chief Editorship is just wonderful. I read her editorial - it is great, and I only could give the remaining portions a brief glance. One thing about Muse India is that one can never read it all in one go - one needs to read and read several times to really savour the ingredients of this lovely e-journal. It is indeed a treat for the person who appreciates the finer sensibilities in life. I am sure that Ambika Ananth's able stewardship and the dedicated work of her team will carry it forward to greater heights. I wish Muse India all success.
Prof. Dr. PSN Rao, New Delhi drpsnrao@hotmail.com Mar 3, 2010 |
Congratulations to all Muse-icians for this wonderful issue! Greatly enjoyed reading Ambika's editorial. Took me straight to the Tamizh traslations... Hema's translations of some verses of Tiruppavai and Tiruvempavai was very nice - brought across the mood of the original so well. As was Usha Rajagopalan's translation of Bharati's poems. yet to dive into the others - but thought I should put in a quick feedback reg the richness of what I have already savored. Best Wishes.
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Hats off to Ambika Ananth for publishing such a scintillating issue! Suvarchala Vissa's paintings are colourful and captivating. The poems are thought-provoking and attractive. Tribute to Dilip Chitre is relevant and worth publishing. Thanks to Atreya Sarma for selecting my story. I like the other stories also.
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I was posting my English poems all these days. Some were also published but I have more of Indian language poems (Hindi). Can you please tell me where and how I can post them. Thanking you.
(kritya.com is a bilingual web journal, which carries Hindi poetry. There are a couple of other Hindi websites. You could do a Google search on Hindi journals and web-journals to gather more information. Then you may contact them. - Managing Editor) |
I am working in the rural area of coastal belt of Karnatak. The Hindu (6th Dec 2009) enlightened me about "museindia". Within one and half month tenure, it helped me to publish 20+ poems and participate in Museindia meet 2010 at NGRI Hyderbad on 10th Jan 2010.
Indian English writing is creating a new horizon in language world. While Sanskrit was the communication language during past, southern India had helped lot to protect Sanskrit language. Now also, the same geographical area is attending to shape the new comunication language for modern India.
Feb 14, 2010
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I wish Muse India a successfull and creative 2010!
Thara D'Souza (other details not given) Jan 16, 2010
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Invitation from Central Univ of Kerala - Programme on Jan 22, 2010
The Dept of Comparative Literature, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, is pleased to announce the launch of its PUBLIC INTERFACE PROGRAMME (CUK-PIP) with the inauguration of the KATHA series of lectures and public events based on the theme of 'Narrative'. The one day programme celebrates the vital role of story in moulding cultures, and brings together various narratives - oratory, poetry, photography, docu-film and puppetry.
Prof. Jancy James, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, will inaugurate the programme at 10.00 am on 22 Jan 2010 at Hotel Highway Castle, Kasaragod.
Please do inform us of your attendance in advance, and give us your suggestions. Participation certificates will be issued on demand.
Thank you
Yours,
Dr. Rizio B Yohannan (Co-ordinator)
Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature
School of Languages & Comparative Literature
Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod,
Vidyanagar PO, 671 123, Kerala, India,
Phone: 9496192947
email - rizioraj@gmail.com |
Wows and bows to Varalakshmi Jonnalagadda for her humanitarian movement of “Charity through Art”. While she rightly commemorates her departed mother, “Omu” herself is now being a mother of thousands of differently enabled persons and children. May God bless her in her philanthropy. May others too from artistic community emulate her. I congratulate Muse India on having introduced a humane artist like Varalakshmi.
U Atreya Sarma, Lincoln (Nebraska) atreyasarma@gmail.com Jan 7, 2010
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As usual a meticulously put together issue. It was a treat to read first thing in the New Year. Wishing the journal scales greater heights in the future!
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Wish you and your team a very Happy and Bright New Year 2010 !!!!!
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Best Wishes for 2010. Hearty Congratulations on completing 5 successful years. Thank you for holding fort the last years. Welcome to Ambika Ananth as the new editor.
Amita Desai, Exec Director, Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad amita.desai@dfg.de Jan 5, 2010 |
Thank you so much for your mail. I wish all the members of the Muse India team a happy and wonderful new year 2010.
Srinivasa Rao Ch N K V raosvummethala@yahoo.in Jan 5, 2010 |
You are doing a wonderful job for poets. I send you my greetings.
Prof N K Singh narinderksingh@vsnl.net Jan 4, 2010 |
The new issue is simply grand. Hearty congrats to G.S.P.Rao and friends. I wish all the members of Muse India a very happy and prosperous New Year and joyous Sankranthi. Many thanks for publishing review of Explorations in Indian English Drama co-edited by me.
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The 5th Anniversary edition of Muse India gave me a good read. A big thumps-up!
Khurshid Alam, Ahmedabad khurshids.poetry@yahoo.com Jan 2, 2010
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I have browsed through the current edition of Muse India and will go through it thoroughly soon. I do heartily appreciate your attempt to explore the pristine beauty and elegance of Varalakshmi Jonnalagada’s paintings. The content of the literary articles section is also quite varied and thought provoking. I wish you and your team a very happy new year!
Bipasha Som mamani281@yahoo.co.in Jan 2, 2010
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Wish you and the entire Muse India team a very happy and prosperous 2010.
Naina Dey, Kolkata naina_dey@hotmail.com Jan 1, 2010 |
Wish you and Muse India a very happy and productive New Year. Warm regards,
Lakshmi Kannan lakshmi_kaaveri@yahoo.com Jan 1, 2010 |
Thank you for the new year wishes. I wish you a very happy, fulfilling and peaceful new year - 2010.
Namita Waikar namita.waikar@gmail.com Jan 1, 2010 |
Many thanks for your kind information about Muse India. Wish You a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2010.
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The Jan-Feb 2010 issue is presented very well, as usual. The associated photographs and paintings add beauty and grace to the write-ups. The selection of the presented literary material is done with taste and discretion. Wish Muse India flourishes entertaining and enlightening us all. Congratulations to the Editorial Team for pleasant presentation.
Varanasi Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry rbvaranasi@gmail.com Jan 1, 2010 |
Many thanks for your good wishes for the New Year. Here is wishing you, your family and colleagues all the best during the New Year. You are doing a wonderful job. Please continue the venture.
Narendra Luther, Hyderabad nluther@hotmail.com Jan 1, 2010
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Thank you for the communication and new year wishes. I wish you and your colleagues a thrilling and highly successful 2010 !
M G K Nair nairmgk@live.com Jan 1, 2010 |
Happy new year! All the best. Ambika has inexhaustible energy. Godspeed to muse!
VVB Rama Rao, Noida vvbramarao@yahoo.com Jan 1, 2010 |
Thank you for your good wishes and wish you and your entire team a very Happy New Year! My hearty congrats to my friend Ambika Ananth. I wish the New Year will give me some time to go through all the reading material that I want to read.
Sudha narasimhachar rvnachar@dataone.in Jani 1, 2010
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Thank you, Mr. Rao. Wish Muse India a very happy new year too. I am a writer
based at New Delhi, though new to Muse India. Warm Regards,
Kulpreet Yadav kulpreetyadav@gmail.com Jan 1, 2010
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Thanks for the mail. Happy new year to you and all the readers of Muse India.
Naga Raju rajunn4@yahoo.co.in Jan 1, 2010 |
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I thank you for your new year wishes. Please accept from me also heartiest greetings and very best wishes for a happy and creative new year. Most warmly,
Sharad Chandra sharadchandra9@gmail.com Jan 1, 2009 |
Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year 2010! May the new issue of Muse India be a grand success. Regards,
Amit Shankar Saha saha.amitshankar@gmail.com Jan 1, 2009 |
May I take this opportunity to wish you, Sri Rao, and all the editors of Muse India a fulfilling New year 2010 and several glorious ones to follow thereafter? Warm regards.
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Wish you and all members of Muse India a happy and prosperous New Year!
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Thanks for your greetings. I join many other readers in wishing you a happy, successful, glorious New Year, 2010.
I do not know much about you, but I know you have been doing great service with this e-journal which sometimes surprises us by appearing ahead of schedule! Indeed a rarity, nowadays. It shows primarily your resolve and commitment. And your efforts got due recognition when The Hindu mentioned your journal prominently in the Literary page. I felt happy at your contribution and the much needed recognition. I'm sure you will keep up the good work in future too.
K. Damodar Rao, Associate Professor of English, Kakatiya University, Warangal damodarrao_k@yahoo.com Dec 31, 2009
(Thanks for your kind words. We will continue to do our best. - Managing Editor) |
May the New Year shower the best of everything on you and Muse India family!
T. Bijoykumar Singh bijoytay@yahoo.co.in Dec 31, 2009 |
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Thanks for the new year greetings and for the Indian Writing in English issue. May I wish you a very happy new year!
Naresh Jain jainenkay@yahoo.com Dec 31, 2009
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It's great to have your 5th Anniversary Issue... HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Swapan K Banerjee, Hooghly momobanerjee@yahoo.co.in Dec 31, 2009 |
Wishing you all joyful, peaceful and prosperous New Year 2010. With regards,
Dr. Jayshree Singh singh.67jayshree@yahoo.com Dec 31, 2009 |
Wish you and your team a happy New Year!
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I am very happy to visit your last issue of ejournal. Within very few days I shall send my creative works to you. Really this is a very good magazine of 21st century.
KamalaKkrushna Tripathty, cell no-9937014863 |
Have been reading the recent issue. You have created something of tremendous value and I am sure Muse India will come to have a primal importance in India's Literary history. This platform was much needed. I know that at my fingertips I can access so much regional literature that I'd be unaware of due to my paucity of languages knowledge.
I was wondering why Ghalib's translation in English does not follow the couplets form, if not the repetition of sound patterns, which is forgivable in translation.
Usha Akella, Austin, USA usha.akella@gmail.com Dec 24, 2009
(Thanks for your warm words. Translating Urdu ghazals in the same form is usually very difficult and doesn't come naturally in another language. It can certainly be attempted. Here the translator's main objective was to convey the bard's feelings. - Managing Editor)
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I have finally gone through the latest issue of Muse India ( Nov.-Dec. 2009 ). It was a great treat indeed. I have gone through the various sections of the magazine. As I surfed and went through, layer by layer, various facets of life and living unfolded. The poetry, literature, book reviews, pictures, articles and discussions were all good in their own way. Each of them opened our eyes to a particular department of our existence.
I particularly liked 'Street Children' by Satya. The manner in which he portrayed the harsh reality of our times, our children, our future, was indeed heart rending and moved me the most in the entire issue. 'Cold Fury' written by Ambika Ananth was also very very good. It gave a graphic description of the flood situation that plagues our country from time to time. I like the style in which the poem was written.
The book review by A.Giridhar Rao was well written and insightful.
I am very happy to see two young boys, Raj and Krishna, doing a noble deed of sponsoring this issue, in appreciation of the contribution of their beloved mother. In these times when most youngsters are drifting away from the fine arts and other cultural activities, for apparently 'greener' pastures, it is refreshing to see some of them actually proving us wrong by evincing keen interest in the finer aspects of life - money is not all in life ! My blessings to these two boys and I hope that they provide encouragement and support to all the brave artists in this country who have chosen to tread on this lonely path of art, in whatever form it may be; literature, poetry, painting, dance, drama or song.
Last but not the least, congratulations to Ambika Ananth for doing a great job of putting together and editing this issue in a lovely manner. My best wishes to the entire team at Muse India.
Prof.Dr.P.S.N.Rao, New Delhi Nov 18, 2009 |
Namaste! The article on 'Naaneelu', the little ones, of N. Gopi is good and informative. The naaneelu translations are nearly as beautiful as Telugu ones.
Bhavani (details not given) Nov 15, 2009
(May we request the sender of this message to kindly furnish details of place and email please? - Managing Editor) |
Dileep Jhaveri, Muse India’s Contributing Editor at Georgetown University
We are happy to reproduce an announcement regarding Dr Dileep Jhaveri’s engagement in Georgetown University.
The South Asia Forum at Georgetown University
Proudly Presents Award-Winning Gujarati Poet
Dileep Jhaveri
Wednesday, November 18th, 7 PM
Gervase Conference Room
Dileep Jhaveri is among the most prominent contemporary poets in the Gujarati language today. His poetry collection “Pandu ane bija kavyo” is considered a milestone in the history of Gujarati poetry. Many poems of this collection use traditional narratives in place of modernist images, thus taking Gujarati poetry back to its narrative roots. He has also published an English play, “A Breath of Vyas,” which as the title suggests is based on the great Indian epic Mahabharata.
Jhaveri has won two prestigious awards for his writings: The Critic Award and The Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Award. In addition to his creative writing, Dileep Jhaveri is also a member of the editorial board of two journals: Museindia.com and Bilingual Journal in Bengali and English. He has played an important role in publishing many contemporary Gujarati poets in English translation.
Jhaveri is also associated with the National Literary Academy, Sahitya Akadami, Delhi. He is currently editing a special issue of Indian Literature devoted to Gujarati poems in English translation. Jhaveri has been invited to recite his poems in many cities in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Bhopal and others. Outside India he has recited his poems in Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. His poems are translated in English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Bengali, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian languages. Though by profession he is a general doctor practicing in Mumbai, he has also studied classical Indian texts and European poets such as Rilke and Paz. He is a very good orator who can give talks on Mahabharata, Ramayana and European literature. Dileep Jhaveri is also a polyglot. In addition to Gujarati and English, he is fluent in Marathi, Bengali and Hindi.
Philip Thomas
Program Manager, International Initiatives
Office of the Provost
Georgetown University
Phone 202.687.7583
Email pt73@georgetown.edu , mailto:pt73@georgetown.edu
Henry Schwarz
Associate Professor
Georgetown University
Washington, DC 20057-1131
414-795-0017
http://vimukta.org/ |
Thank you for this rich issue!
The Amin-Rai-Mehrotra conversation is no longer at the URL mentioned. Indeed, the online archives of Tehelka currently go back only up to 2004 (and the conversation is a 2001 one). But the conversation has been archived elsewhere on the Net, among other places, on the Columbia university website at
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00urduhindilinks/txt_alok_rai_shahid_amin_1.html ( or http://j.mp/2mViNg ).
Also, the URL given on Muse India has an extra space, which means that it would have given an error even if it had been a valid URL. It might be a good idea to use only hyperlinks, rather than the entire http://... URL. Else, there are excellent URL-shorteners like http://j.mp which I've used above.
Thanks, once again, for the good work that you are doing!
A Giridhar Rao, Hyderabad agiridhar.rao@gmail.com Nov 13, 2009
(Thank you Dr Giridhar for bringing this to our attention and for the useful information shared. – Managing Editor) |
I first read _kala’s article in Moonset. I have long admired _kala’s haiku and tanka and her special way of distilling a moment into its essential qualities. When I read _kala’s poetry, all duality between us disappears and I, who am Western, recognize my sister in a sari. Who, Eastern or Western, would not appreciate haiku as fine as these and not see in them a touchpoint to their own experience?
Fireflies!
far into the midnight field
a twinkling sky
autumn lyrics:
Father talks gently of life
beyond death
Karen Cesar, USA Nov 12, 2009 |
Dear Kala,
Thanks for bringing out the wonderful section on Indian short verse. I read the entire issue at one sitting with great delight. Your introduction was sensitive and alerted me once again to the difficulty of brevity and simplicity. The poems you referred to were superb. The essay on haiku and Hindu thought was refreshing and informative. In fact, I was amazed to find so much original work being done with the haiku in India.
Please congratulate Sunil for his translations of Kabir. I will use some of his translations in future articles of mine. Do let me know about any other such issues in future. Regards,
Amrit Sen, Reader, Dept of English & OMEL, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan amritsen@gmail.com Nov 9, 2009 |
Congratulations and many thanks to the editors. I enjoyed reading the poems, articles and the short stories in the Nov-Dec issue.
K. Ramesh, Chennai aniram86@rediffmail.com Nov 10, 2009
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Kudos to Ambika Ananth for serving such a fantastic feast to our eyes and mind even without the help of Mr. GSP Rao! The first thing I did was to deposit all the winter beauties as well as the classic paintings of Raja Ravi Varma to my picture album.
Having satiated my eyes I sought for my mind. What captivated me most is the interview of Dr. Jaydeep Sarangi with Dr. Sarojini Sahoo. Dr. Sarojini's eloquent words speak nothing but truth on gender issue. To Quote her words (from another source):
"I differ to Simon de Beauvoir in her 'Other' theory where she tells us that 'one is not born but rather, becomes a woman'. I think a woman is born as a woman. There are inherent physical, behavioral, emotional, and psychological differences between men and women. And we affirm and celebrate these differences as wonderful and complementary. These differences do not evidence the superiority of one sex over the other but rather, serve to show that each sex is complemented and made stronger by the presence of the other. As a different unit, similar to man, the female mass has their right for equity. . . . I am never against marriage and motherhood as the Western feminists of second wave projected themselves. . . . What I want is a gender-neutral society. I am for a woman's existence with all her 'feminine-fragrance' as a different 'genus' or 'species' with her complete 'generosity.'"
And finally I am grateful to Museindia for publishing my poems.
K V Dominic, Editor, Indian Journal of Postcolonial Literatures, Newman College, Thodupuzha, Kerala, prof.kvdominic@gmail.com Nov 9, 2009 |
Good work as usual ... commendable job by you and kala on the haiku front. Keep it up.
Angelee Deodhar, Chandigarh angeleedeodhar@gmail.com N ov 9, 2009
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Browsing through the issue, I saw the pictures of the two sponsors. And my first thought was, "Ah, what Sattva guna", "such serenity". And my reading of their bios, subsequently, only served to corroborate my picture impression. It was only later, when I was reading the 'feedback' part of the issue, I realized that these two fine boys are Ambika Ananth's sons! I felt a wave of happiness surging in my heart! Almost like a citizen of Mithila seeing the young princes of Ayodhya for the first time! God bless the young boys...!!!
(All the three should be quite thrilled reading this! - Managing Editor) |
What a lovely issue! Thanks for publishing Raja Ravi Varma's paintings. Congrats on bringing out the issue with great content value. Best regards,
T S Chandra Mouli, Hyderabad tscmouli@hotmail.com Nov 9, 2009 |
It is wonderful to come across such a literary fraternity who, even after looking into so many responsibilities, has time to coordinate with the team and works for others. Congratulations for the latest issue of the MUSE INDIA.
Jayshree Singh, Udaipur singh.67jayshree@yahoo.com Nov 8, 2009 |
First, let me congratulate the Pandravada brothers – Raj & Krishna – on having sponsored this issue, and Ambika Ananth, their proud mother, on having inspired their thoughtful sons to do so by dint of her literary and creative accomplishments. The issue has come out well with its rich fare and variety thanks to the editorial, managerial and technical coordination.
The editorial by Ambika Ananth is illumining and comprehensive. She has done the right and appropriate thing in paying a poetic tribute to the victims of the recent floods that ravaged Andhra and Karnataka. Ambika’s following lines are, especially, very touching:
'the dead are dead
the living feel more dead
with an ice block for heart…'
To share and supplement the intensity of her feelings on this score, I have posted my poem, penned recently, in Your Space column of this journal.
I concur with Ambika Ananth’s views on the quality of some of the poems and responses in Your Space, which she has aired in her prefatory remarks to the selection of poems. If her suggestions for constructive criticism and for avoiding unqualified praise are taken in the right spirit and adopted, it will only go to further enhance the standing of Muse India. So also, it would be good if the writers themselves go through their work thoroughly before posting, keeping a critical eye on every aspect with a view to steering clear of ambiguities, inconsistencies and basic errors of language.
Atreya Sarma Uppaluri, Lincoln, Nebraska atreyasarma@gmail.com Nov 7, 2009
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Another great issue. The cover picture is amazing!
Uddipana Goswami, New Delhi uddipana@gmail.com Nov 8, 2009 |
The Nov-Dec 2009 issue of Muse India is well-prepared and presented. It is heartening to know that Mrs. Ambika Ananth's sons have sponsored this issue for their mother's work. I congratulate all who are behind this presentation.
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Associated with Muse India over the past two years, I am convinced that India has a lot more unexplored treasure to showcase to the outside world, paticularly the talented young lot who are bubbling with novel ideas and burning desire to express themselves. The present Nov-Dec 2009 Issue is an eye-opener to me and makes me feel proud to read short versions of poetry in ancient India. Not only Kabir's dohas (couplets) and Chanakya's 'Neetis' (codes), but all the 'slokas', even the entire Gita, may come under the short verse form.
Ravi Varma's paintings, in essence, are poems written in colours. The efforts of our team - Ms Ambika Ananth, _kala, Dr. Chandramouli, Mr. Atreya Sarma and GSP Rao are laudable.
Kumarendra Mallick Hyderabad mallik_ku@yahoo.com Nov 08, 2009 |
I've just gone through the Nov-Dec '09 issue. It is simply wonderful. Ambika Ananth's editorial is thought provoking. Muse India proved itself a very helpful resource for students and scholars.
Dr.Rao S Vummethala Nov 7, 2009 |
I am Editor of Indian Literature from April 2007 and am currently on lien, teaching English in Garyounis University, Libya. I am a poet writing in English, with a collection brought out in 1989, and publishing in journals like Indian Literature (when I am not editing it), The Little Magazine (quite regularly), Haritham (Journal of School for Letters, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam), Beyond Borders(SAARC Literary Journal), The Journal of the Poetry Society of India, The Literary Review (USA), etc., and websites like www.writersconnect.com, openspacesindia etc. A.J.Thomas, Libya tomsaj@gmail.com Oct 31, 2009
(Nice to hear from you, Mr Thomas. We are aware of your literary credentials and have published your work in our past issues. We will be happy to receive fresh contributions from you for publication. Warm wishes. - Managing Editor) |
T P Rajeevan's view in the editorial regarding native language writers is something which should be seriously taken into consideration. But at the same time I would like to bring to your attention that Anita Nair, Shashi Tharoor etc. are not the only Indian writers in English. Now in India you can stumble upon Indian English writers of quality in every state and place who are fuming inside not getting enough space to pen and confident publishers to bring them out (not to the International audience but at least to the Indian readers.)
Why on earth are Indian publishers so reluctant to take Indian Writings in English (not by expatriates or the foreign educated) to the Indian audience. I would say that the most neglected writers in the Indian literary scenario are not the regional writers (they have enough space at least in their region) but those who are born and brought up in India but write in English.
It is time even Muse India looks into this.
J T Jayasingh, Kuttikkanam, Kerala jtjayasingh@gmail.co Sep 27, 2009
(Muse India has been encouraging and publishing the works of such writers from its inception. Please go through all our past issues - Managing Editor) |
Hi........... I am Rajashri at present residing in USA. Congratulations to Muse India for bringing in such wonderful and amazing collectoins of poet, paintings, art, literature and many more......I like it's diversity. I am very fond of paintings specially oil paintings.
I am impressed by the paintings of beautiful budding poet-painter Gorima Basu. I like her theme and concept of rural India and the way she conveys her mesage. In this modern world of latest technologies her simple yet peaceful and pleasent thoughts touch me. It takes me down my happy memories lane. Her deep thoughts, feelings and emotions are captured so well on the canvas. Her brush strokes are bold but yet beautiful, magnetic and energetic. Her paintings reveal the power and brightness of colour. The colours are bright and yet soothing. It uplifts my spirit. Indeed it brings in sunny happiness amongst the viewers and would elevate their mood. It's true when one says beauty lies in simplicity ........ away from home these paintings of rural India are an absolute pleasure n delight, her creations bring forth both exitement and calm. Great job..........keep it up eagerly waiting for more pictures.
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Muse India really inspires! I am truly impressed by what I have come across and the broad spectrum of thoughts and imagination woven into the fabric of poetry.
Sujay Kantawala, Mumbai kitkantawala@yahoo.com Sep 9, 2009 |
When I was in India lately, I collected a few poetry magazines published from Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Bangalore, Chennai, and other places. I was simply disappointed. They publish trash, not poetry. Some academic magazines do a good job but the scope is limited.
I was vaguely aware of museindia.com. This time I looked the contents closely and find it a breath of fresh air. I intend to send a minor donation to museindia.com when I visit India in December. Your meticulous effort is silently and keenly appreciated.
Prem Kumar, Edmonton, Canada pkedmonton9@yahoo.com Sep 9, 2009
(Many thanks for your kind words. – Managing Editor) |
We wish you constant and consistent devotion and successful publication of knowledgeable works in your journal.
Jayshree Singh, Udaipur singh.67jayshree@yahoo.com Sep 6, 2009
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Congratulations! I compliment you for the excellent job you have done. The issue is brought out very well and the lay out and the format are commendable. Best wishes,
P.Mallikarjuna Rao, Warangal rajamallik@yahoo.com Sep 4, 2009
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Thank you for bringing out, as usual, a content-filled issue of Muse India. Regards,
Dr. Varanasi Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry varanasi_ramabrahmam@yahoo.co.in Sep 4, 2009
(Thanks for your kind words, and more importantly, for your fine gesture of support to our efforts through sponsorship of this issue of Muse India. - Managing Editor) |
Tejinder ji,
I must confess, your poems in muse india are simply great! I liked 'the morning newspaper' and 'once again.' You may not reply to me counting this as a routine praise … but it will not matter to me. I wish to convey my feelings to the writer only. Deep regards.
Dr Dushyant, Sunday Magazine Incharge, Daily News, Jaipur
dr.dushyant@gmail.com Sep 2, 2009
(Thanks. We believe Mr Tejinder Sharma has responded to you. - Managing Editor) |
Let me thank you for this eye-catching issue of the Muse. I can only imagine how hectic it must have been for you to get everything done and on time. I don’t know many online Indian literary journals but I do regard the Muse as the BEST for its unique structure and format, and for its intense approach to art and literature with a highly specialized outlook. You know, I have it somewhere at the back of my mind to start a literary journal on my own one day or to at least professionally work for one in near future. I assume it is hectically challenging and probably just the thing for me.
I looked at my article (Maryam Ala Amjadi – Charulata, in “Cinematic Adaptations of Indian Literary Texts") and I saw that the hyperlinks to video clips, though underlined, do not function. Isn’t it possible to make them functional or you don’t see them as essential? Just thought I should mention in case this was overlooked.
Maryam Ala Amjadi, Pune m_alaamjadi@yahoo.com Sep 2, 2009
(Many thanks for your generous words about Muse India. Yes, we have always strived to give that special and unique look to the e-journal. Our good wishes are with you for your dream journal! With determination, you will succeed.
As for the hyperlinks in your article to the scenes in the movie Charulata, they were no doubt interesting and we wanted to retain them. However, the links don’t seem to be working properly and consistently. We will try to restore them. – Managing Editor) |
The issue looks fabulous. Charm of Malayalam literature is excellently communicated through translations of Annie George, Divya Rajan, Ramesh and others. Feature on Cinematic Adaptations of Indian Literary texts transports the reader into a different world. Well researched articles of Prof. Basavaraj Naikar, G.A.Ghanshyam and others are scholarly demanding detailed study. Ambika Ananth's review, and selections from 'Your space' are highly impressive. More time is required to go through the entire issue. Sumptuous fare for festive season. Congrats!
Dr T S Chandramouli, Hyderabad tscmouli@hotmail.com Aug 31, 2009 |
Congratulations on your latest issue of Muse India, and on the continuing progress and success of this venture. I am especially grateful that you are making more available to the larger world the various literatures of India that only become available through translation. This will surely expand the western academy's understanding and theorization of Indian writing, and of much else. All best wishes.
Prof. John C. Hawley, Associate Editor of the South Asian Review, president of the United States chapter of the Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies. JHawley@scu.edu Aug 31, 2009
(Thank you, Prof Hawley, for your kind words. We are happy that we are able to meet some of the main objectives with which we had started this venture. - Managing Editor)
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I must confess that I am greatly improving my knowledge as far as Indian poetry and novels are concerned. Thanks for all the colleagues who work towards intercultural understanding. Congratulations for the quality of articles and any kind of expression, notably photos. All the best,
Fewzia Bedjaoui, Algeria fewzia.bedjaoui@gmail.com Aug 24, 2009 |
Such association of Muse India with a publishing house (Abhidanantar & Poetrywala) is really beneficial to members. On behalf of all members I would like to thank you. More such associations should be worked out if possible. Thanking you.
(Thanks. We will try for similar understanding with other Publishers. - Chief Editor) |
Reading APS Malhotra's poem 'Taj Mahal' (Issue 26, Jul-Aug 2009, 'Selections from Your Space'), I am reminded of Rabindranath Tagore's tribute to the mausoleum: a tear drop on the cheek of time.Taj Mahal is best described by the English poet Sir Edwin Arnold as "not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor's love wrought in living stones."
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Accidentally I found this interesting website and am surprised! But, it is a shame that you did not include Bengali literature of Brahmaputra and Borak valleys, though others (Bodo, Karbi, Nepali etc) included in your website. Please try to improve...
With regards,
Shyamal Ghosh, Guwahati (email not given) Jul 13, 2009
(If you are referring to our coverage on Assamese Literature in the Jan-Feb 2008 issue, yes the focus was on Assamese and some of the other languages you refer to. If the Bengali literature of the Brahmaputra and Borak valleys is a distinctively different genre from Bengali literature in general, we will try to cover it in a future issue. Each State of the country has many languages in use, with their own regional flavour. Covering all these would take time. Presently our focus is on the main languages. - Managing Editor) |
Congratulations on bringing out yet another wonderful issue of Muse India. I am delighted to see my translated poetry find a place in it. Best wishes,
Jayalakshmi P, Hyderabad jaya.popuri@gmail.com Jul 8, 2009
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The literary articles published cover a wide variety of subjects hitherto unexplored. The poems featured in this issue are lucid and packed with a definite message. I am happy and proud that my article also finds place in your esteemed journal.
Urmila S, Tanjavore, TN urmila_chandrasekaran@yahoo.com Jul 4, 2009 |
It's great to know that Muse India now has an ISSN number. Journal is looking forward for great journey ahead ....best wishes.
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Thanks for your mail. Quite rich articles on Indian literature I haven't read before. Best,
Fewzia Bedjaoui, Algeria fewzia_bed@hotmail.com Jul 3, 2009
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Thanks once again for the beautiful monsoon edition of Muse India. Classes also have begun which also means that our reading time begins to wane. Great to know of the ISSN number. Anyway best wishes for you and of course the journal's well-being.
H Kalpana, Pondicherry hkalp@yahoo.com Jul 3, 2009 |
I have received the latest issue of Muse India. The focus on Indian Plays in English is interesting indeed. A discussion on contemporary Indian theatre / drama is much needed at the moment. I congratulate you to have got the ISSN for Muse India.
With profound regards,
Kanwar Dinesh Singh, Shimla kanwardineshsingh@yahoo.co.in Jul 3, 2009
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Congratulations on getting the ISSN number. Wishing the new issue a grand success.
Amit Shankar Saha, Kolkata, saha.amitshankar@gmail.com Jul 3, 2009 |
It would be better if ISSN is given on the home pages of back issues too.
Dr.Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal, Rae Bareli, U.P. nilanshu1973@yahoo.com Jul 3, 2009
(Thanks for the suggestion. We will look into the feasibility of doing this. - Managing Editor) |
Congratulations on getting ISSN!!!!!
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Congratulations on a beautifully conceived issue of Muse India yet again! And of course, another congrats for being granted an ISSN no, that surely is a milestone.
My book review on “Sea of Poppies” looks beautiful; thanks.
Sakoon N Singh, Chandigarh sakoon.n.singh@gmail.com Jul 2, 2009
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I just saw Muse India and I want to congratulate you on this wonderful journal. All my best wishes to this great enterprise.
Gurcharan Das gurcharandas@gmail.com Jul 2, 2009
(Thanks for your warm words, Mr Das. - Managing Editor) |
I have received the latest issue of Muse India. The focus on Indian Plays in English is interesting indeed. A discussion on contemporary Indian theatre / drama is much needed at the moment.
I congratulate you to have got the ISSN for Muse India.
(This message again is without the person's idenity. We have been mentioning often that personal details of name, place and email should accompany feedback submissions. - Managing Editor)
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The July-August Issue of Muse India is great as usual. I can say that the USP of the journal is the focussed variety it offers.
Dr I S V Manjula, Visakhapatnam satyadrmanju@rediffmail.com Jul 1, 2009
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Response to Prof Perry’s Mail of May 2009
I thank Prof. John Perry for evincing such keen interest in our article on Jayanta Mahapatra. Prof. Nirupa Rani sends her wishes to him and shall be mailing him personally.
As for Prof. Perry's response to our article, I understand he feels that we have treated Mahapatra as too much of a metaphysicist. Here, I would like to state that there is no doubt that Jayanta Mahapatra as a poet is grounded in reality. In fact most of his poems are reflections of the stark reality of unhappy sections in India in general and Orissa in particuar. However I would like to add that, in a wider perspective, Mahapatra's humanitarian concerns and empathy for the poor and downtrodden elevate the imagery in his poems to a metaphysical plane.
I thank the Editor of Muse India for giving me this opportunity.
Dr.I.S.V.Manjula, Visakhapatnam satyadrmanju@rediffmail.com (22 May 09/1 Jul, 09)
(This response from Dr Manjula was received on May 22, 2009. Due to an oversight, it was not posted. We deeply regret this lapse on our part. Our apologies to Dr Manjula – Managing Editor) |
What a treat to read through the latest Muse India! I have learned so much about Krishnadeva Raya. I wish I had known more when we visited Hampi last year; it would have made the whole trip more meaningful.
Those are not mere photos of Araku – they are paintings! So beautiful!
Thank you for publishing my translation of the story.
Ahana Lakshmi, Chennai ahana@arm-c.com Jul 1, 2009
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Thank you for the information (on the new issue). I wish you all the best from Japan. We are also in the Rainy Season right now.
Greve Gabi, Japan gokurakuatworldkigo@gmail.com Jul 1, 2009
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Here is another example of your good work! This time the navigation is better. I enjoyed looking at the excellent photographs by B Rajan Babu.
Biman Mullick, London bimanmullick@lineone.net Jul 1, 2009
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Congratulations on getting ISSN number.
Dr. Falguni Desai, Bilimora, Gujarat psdesai69@yahoo.co.in Jul 1, 2009
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Delighted to go through the latest issue. The choice photographs in the Krishnadeva Raya feature enchant the lover of history. Thank you very much for your generous comments about my work. Though I do grow despondent now and then, your words are certainly a great encouragement for me to keep persevering and complete the translation of the Raya's epic.
I was glad to go through the other essays too. Yours (GSP Rao's) which I have read already, Atreya Sarma's pointed introduction to the Raya's varied achievements, Sri Reddy's note on Jambavati Parinayam and Chandra Mouli's excellent review of your book have all been most welcome. Of course, I am happy to see Ahana's translation of my story which was published three decades ago.
The focus on Indian plays in English is an important contribution. As the daughter of K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar, I have lived with Indian writing in English all my life and we have found this the weakest link in this literature. Sri Aurobindo's Shakespearian plays do get staged, but only in Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry or the Mother's International School at New Delhi. It is almost the same case with Tagore. Plays get written but not easily staged.
I am glad Dattani has been given good spread. I have enjoyed his thought-provoking plays.
Rajan Babu's photographs of Araku Valley evoked nostalgia for my Visakhapatnam days and reminded me of an Araku Valley-based short story I had written long ago. How time flies!
Thank you for the sumptuous spread in this issue.
I have been browsing through the two volumes of Administration and Social Life Under Vijayanagar by T.V. Mahalingam written thirty-five years ago. What a marvellous compendium!
With every good wish,
Prema Nandakumar, Srirangam, TN premnand@dataone.in Jul 1, 2009 |
I submitted a translated poem of Sunil Ganguly in November. How can I access the poem?
Niamul Hossain Mallick, Burdwan, WB Jun 30, 2009
(It doesn't seem to have been properly received. Please resubmit. - Managing Editor) |
Enjoyed the current issue of Muse India. This belated feed back may look odd; it took a lot of time to go through the issue.Contributions of Annie George, Rajeshwar Mittapalli, Sachchidananda Mohanty and other friends are outstanding. 'Gallery' in particular is captivating with great photos.
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Great! It's good news (Muse India getting ISSN). I hope the online journal will gather strength and mutate into an internationally known net forum.
Dr Murari Prasad, On holiday in Bihar prasadm123@rediffmail.com Jun 18, 2009
(Thank you for your good wishes! - Managing Editor)
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Hi, I am unable to send my work as the emails are bouncing back.
( We regret the inconvenience caused. Could be technical glitch. In case of continued difficulty, please send your material to GSP Rao at gsprao2003@yahoo.co.in. - Managing Editor) |
I am extremly happy to give this feed back. Sri Asish Dimit, an upcoming young journalist without my knowledge wrote an article under the title SUPER COP and informed me. It was a pleasant suprise. He wrote excellently well. I am also impressed of the getup and fuctioning of your web. I am author of a book, AS I LOOK BACK, releasd by the CM. I am interested in whole eventful career of all India importance to be squeezed into a page and published in WIKIEPEDIA and Google. Please let me know whether you can undertake this assignment. Thanks.
G Raghva Reddy, IPS( Retd), Hyderabad rgongidi@ yahoo.co.in Jun 5, 2009
(Thanks for your kind words about us. We do not take up the kind of assignment you have in mind. - Managing Editor) |
It seems poetry is the least commercialized product in the world today and that is why it is the most valuable. It is free from all the influences and compulsions. Poets, you are needed here and your vocation is essential for the existence and sustainability of this universe. So keep on writing with pleasure and vigour. With love and regards,
Thampi Jayasingh, Kuttikkanam, Kerala jtjayasingh@gmail.com Jun 5, 2009
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I am very happy to go through the May - Jun issue of Muse India which opens with 12 striking photographs of Finland and I am happy to know about Natasha and her efforts are commendable. Muse India provides us ample knowledge in every issue and I go through it in small parts and by the time I finish it, it's like time for a new issue. This time I liked the Medeival Oriya Bhakti poetry and to a beginner like me, it's a vast subject to learn and percieve. I am very much thankful to you and I know it involves lot of effort in presenting it as a whole. My special thanks to Ms Ambika Ananth, who inspite of her busy schedule makes sure that she goes through all the postings in 'Your Space' column and selects a few. I thank her for selecting my poem titled "Whom shall I blame," a poem dedicated to those who suffer from the dreadful disease AIDS. I feel delighted and honoured. You have helped a bud grow and blossom into a nice flower as I am happy to share with you that two of my poems titled "Emancipation" and "The door of heaven" have been selected for publication in "A Posy of Poesy." So, I thank you and Dr Mallick who have helped me grow as a poet. Muse India has given me a platform and I thank you very much.
Dr Pooja G Bhuyar, Bijapur pooza_29@yahooc.om May 11, 2009
(Thanks for your kind words. We are happy that Muse India has helped you in your efforts to write good poetry and to hear about your recent successes. We wish you well. - Managing Editor) |
It was so wonderful to see our article on Jayanta Mahapatra in Muse India, a journal that has not limited itself to only one category of aesthetics. Browsing the 'Gallery' was a great experience.
Dr I S V Manjula, Visakhapatnam satyadrmanjula@yahoo.com May 6, 2009
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I had posted a short story in 'Your Space' column a few days ago. But it does not appear in the Space. Nor have I received any response in that regard. Would you recommend that matter for publication should only be sent via normal mail? Regards,
Jaswant Singh Saini jaswantsinghaman@yahoo.com May 7, 2009
(Mr Saini, may be your submission was not properly received by us. It is not necessary to send submissions through normal mail. Please resubmit it. You may also mark a copy to Dr Kumarendra Mallick, editor of 'Your Space,' at mallik_ku@yahoo.com. - Managing Editor) |
Response to article on Jayanta Mahapatra's Poetry
Dear V-C/Dr. K. Nirupa Rani,
Namaste and a hearty hello. I suppose you recall our meeting and talking together several times at the December 2004 Andhra University Conference in Visakhapatnam on Contemporary [Literary]Theory and Practice. I have very good memories of those meetings with you and the public presentations and have many lovely afterthoughts of the generous reception I felt quite specially coming from you and which we all received at the Forum conference from both the host and Baroda-based organizers.
I ran across today your essay in MUSE India (done with a colleague) discussing the poetry of Jayanta Mahapatra, a long time friend of mine from before he was the first Indian poet in English togain (for Relationship, 1980/81) an award from the Sahitya Akademi in that (so often called ‘alien’) language. My own understanding of JM’s strengths as a poet is rather different from yours--quite expectedly and even necessarily, given our different cultural perspectives. But I thought it worth commenting on and even publicizing. You (with your colleague) wrote:
Jayanta Mahapatra chooses the metaphysical tone to express his sentiments with regard to the physical and psychological features of his country. His poetry is a metaphysical rendering of a smouldering vision and highly representational in regional adherence. This he accomplishes by weaving some arresting imagery in his poetry.
Imagery, derived from the Latin imago "a likeness", is a deliberate use of words in a work to evoke distinct mental pictures. Eliot in his "The Music of Poetry" elucidates: "A poem or a passage of a poem, may tend to realize itself first as a particular rhythm before it reaches expression in words, and this rhythm may bring to birth the idea and the image" (66). Elaborating the function of imagery, Gurrey states in his Appreciation of Poetry:
“We can experience imaginatively that which has come to us through the senses. And every impression we are conscious of, however ethereal it may be, can be expressed if only the mind can find imagery to represent it: imagery which is definite enough to work on another mind without nebulosity. So we find sense impressions of all sorts are suggested in poetry --cold, heat, dryness, moistness, tension, pressure and movements, weights and sounds-- they are suggested by the sound and rhythm of words, but chiefly by imagery.” (42)
Poets, irrespective of their personal choice of the tone and style, make use of imagery to create an immediate effect on the reader 's mind. Imagery which is essentially cerebral or emotive depends on the general outlook of the poet -- for instance the way Donne saw a sunset is different from the way Shelley saw it. (MacNiece 94).
I can suppose from your references that you are writing for an audience that is familiar with major English poets and poems (the M.A. syllabus?) but perhaps not very practiced in thinking about their stylistic and thematic achievements very specifically, rather focussing mainly on surface content and effects. To broaden their understanding you emphasized throughout (as above) JM’s metaphysical outlook and tone. I wonder if you think he is generally more concerned for ‘spiritual’ experiences or abstractions from concrete experience or maybe thoughts scarcely grounded in everyday life? If so, I would disagree wholeheartedly—from the famously gutsy ‘Hunger’ to the mythicizing from Konarak stones and his parents’ lives in Relationship. Does his supposed metaphysical tone of voice (often called “obscure” by those who have difficulty reading indirect poetry) include and issue from the vagueness of descriptions and feelings that mark much of his earlier poetry? This description does not accord with how I read and understand the poems, especially those of his more mature years, after Relationship and especially after Whiteness of Bone (which, for its “Building Strength on Strength,” I reviewed for Kavya Bharati 5, 1993). As the selected passage above proposes, you attribute the achievement of this metaphysical tone, attitude, or whatever to his particular mode of imagery (which early on had, indeed, a certain dream-like, often falsely termed “surrealistic” quality) that, besides suggesting to you something “metaphysical” (meaning “Spiritual”?), is, to me, very scattered in its mode of presentation; I’ll hazard the word “rain-like,” for I note a kind of ‘patter’ of similar sorts of images. But that vaguely suggestive technique is not what dominates in the later poems, and even some of the early ones that I prefer. Rather, whatever its sensory modalities, the imagery arises from or, better, the imagery itself defines distinctly, indeed very particularly, presented events and is not (or at least less) dependent on a vaguely cumulative, mainly suggestive effect.
If you will skip to the latter part of my final essay on Jayanta’s poetry you will see a close analysis of two very recent poems that emphasize these quite other, more cognitive than emotive virtues. This was the only time that Jayanta allowed his work to be reviewed/discussed in his own journal, in the final number, Chandrabhaga 15 (2007), and then only because I evasively set the discussion in the context of detailing my own limited American perspective from being trained as a “New Critic.” As I discussed in an earlier essay, “Compassionate Poetics—East and West? A Personal Confession and Refusal to Mourn,” in Journal of Literature and Aesthetics 2:1(2002, Kollam, Kerala) Indian expectations of and ways of grasping poetry are profoundly different from the New Critical ones. The concerns of classical and still operative Indian aesthetics—as, for example, in your essay--grow out of attributing the virtues of Kavita not to any truth-value (that is for the Vedas and the variedly topical sutras) but to the emotions (rasas) which are suggested, aroused and shared by and even require identification with the poet. The prime method of such arousings is through suggestive imagery, dhvani, and most of your essay makes this point repeatedly. You know this classical theory well, much better than do I, but I ask you to read Jayanta’s poetry with another set of criteria that emphasize how he makes profound probings into concrete experiences that induce careful, indeed, critical readers to understand more fully and deeply the life around them by noticing closely and engaging with how the particular persona in each poem enacts it.
I can send you attachments of the above cited essays if you would like, but I would most like to get Muse India to present this other view, for consideration of others on their site.
Best wishes for you in your new academic position which, surely, you have well earned,
John Oliver Perry, USA joperry2@gmail.com May 2, 2009 |
The May-June, 2009 issue of Muse India is incredible for Indians in general and the Oriya knowing people in particular. Can just a wooden deity we call Lord Jagannath win million minds and set music in each heart? A tradition of devotion, based on love and peace, had pervaded, or still pervades, generation after generation. I do not know whom shall I thank, there is a great team work headed by GSP Rao, Ambika Ananth and ably supported by guest editors, Prof Priyadarsi Patnaik and Tandra Pattnaik. Though Tandra literarily means slumber, she has awakened all by her brief and excellent descriptions of the saints and seers. Hailing from Orissa I had a chance to read the originals (in parts) of all the masters, yet I got a thrill to read the translated versions too. Hope, this issue gives glimpses of what India has in different parts of its vast territory.
Kumarendra Mallick Hyderabad mallik_ku@yahoo.com May 02, 2009
(The credit for the section should rightly go to Dr Priyadarshi Patnaik, who conceived and compiled the section, and to all the contributors for their scholarly work. - Managing Editor) |
Congratulations for such a splendid issue! Thanks also for featuring my interview. One more issue of dedicated work!
Prof Sachidananda Mohanty, Hyderabad sachimohanty@yahoo.co.in May 1, 2009
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Another excellent issue of Muse India! I look forward to read it though I have just finished the article on Jayanta Mahapatra' poetry. Warm regards,
KKSrivastava, Rajkot, Gujarat kksrivastava_ran@yahoo.com May 1, 2009
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Despite the heat, the occasional, unannounced power cuts (2 in the last one hour!), and despite yesterday's deadlines staring me in the face, I just couldn't stop myself clicking through the entire content. And the only reaction is --INCREDIBLE! The range, the response from contributors, the new addition ... everything. And above all, the enviable punctuality with which you have been able to bring out issue after amazing issue. Hats off!
Prof. T Vijay Kumar, Hyderabad tvk2k4@gmail.com May 1, 2009
(This is high praise indeed and I am left speechless. Thanks for the wonderful support I receive from you and all other editors. - Managing Editor)
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Congratulations on yet another unique edition. I feel a lot of admiration for your commitment and work.
Usha Akella, USA usha.akella@gmail.com Apr 30, 2009 |
It is remarkable that you have been bringing out the issues in time, every time - and with a rich variety. Congratulations to you and to your team. It is exhilarating to learn that the next issue would feature Sri Krishna Deva Raya's literary contributions. I wish you and your team every success in your endeavours.
Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad atreyasarma@gmail.com Apr 30, 2009
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I would like to say how much I enjoyed Biman Mullick's Ragamala series in your Jan-Feb issue. Ragamala painting is a beautiful tradition. I was fortunate enough to be attending an Indian music concert at the Horniman Museum last summer when Biman Mullick was sketching during a performance, capturing so well the essence of the music and the muscian in his drawing. I especially love the Sarod players and the Sarangi player.
(Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We have received a large number of such appreciative responses on Biman Mullick's graphics. - Managing Editor) |
Anna Maria summerises in just four short lines what Muse India stands for and how does it bring happiness to a contributor (Your Space, April 15, 2009):
Muse India
A post
opinions...
My response
A printout
feeling of elation
Kumarendra Mallick Hyderabad mallik_ku@yahoo.com Apr 16, 2009 |
It is so convenient to read e journal. The sketches prtraying the stories are exquisite. Just as viewer without any artistic taste, I enjoyed Sitar badika 2, bhepu player 1 and sarod player 3 sketches of biman mullick. However other sketches of all the artist had their inner depth and sensuality. Every effort is genuinely noteworthy.
Tandra Das, other details not furnished Mar 11, 2009
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I liked the recent issue of Muse India. Please continue the commendable work. My thanks to all concerned involved in bringing out the nice edition.
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This issue as the earlier ones is a real feast to the mind. Being a lover of poetry, I am greatly impressed by the poems of Jayanti M Dalal, Laksmisree Banerjee and Sanjukta Dasgupta. Congratulations once again to Mr. GSP Rao and Muse India.
KV Dominic, Editor, Indian Journal of Postcolonial Literatures, Kerala, India.
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I love Biman Mullick's graphic art submissions. The musicians are brought to life with simple brilliancy. His use of colour is very effective. I could look at his graphic art all day.
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I'd like to congratulate you on the great work you're doing by providing such a variety of good reading, apart from an excellent forum for writers, poets and critics. Warmly,
Deepa Agarwal, New Delhi deepa.agarwal@gmail.com Mar 3, 2009
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Congratulations on the release of Muse India 24. It looks as though it'll be a very fine issue. Best wishes,
John Thieme, UK JohnThieme@aol.com Mar 2, 2009
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Congratulations for your efforts to keep the Indian muse alive! Regards,
Alaka Yeravadekar alakaa@gmail.com Mar 1, 2009 |
I started my poetic journey with Muse Iindia. Now I see my poems featured in the main journal. I am indebted for the encouragement I am being given. Thank you.
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Let me express my heartfelt thanks for featuring my poems in the current issue of your most praiseworthy magazine. I also find the Gandhi painting that precedes my work most suitable! Let me also congratulate you on a a first-class issue with brilliant articles, artwork and poetry. Best wishes,
Frank Joussen, Kerala u_joussen@t-online.de Feb 28, 2009
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The Ragamala drawings by Biman Mullick are perfect and well thought out. Each individual picture has it own expression of individual Ragas. I am neither a musician nor an instrument player and do not know anything about Ragas. Only I know that different Ragas should be played at different hours in a day and night. The drawings are really beautiful because the artist, Biman Mullick brought the musicians to life through few strokes of brushes and choosing right colours. The amount of details that are put in the simple drawings including distinct postures of each instrument player are excellent. The colours are bright and they are well matched. Especially, I like the outfit of Esraj and Tabla players, the outfits are so rich in proper colours and the players are real. In Raga Kafi I like the blue head of hairs matching with the dots of her suits and veil - it is beautiful. I also like the outfits for Bansuri Badak, Krishna with Bansuri, and also Raga Kafi 2 -they are very colourful and real just like photographs.
I have a small comment regarding the Sitar Badika. I have noticed that although Badika’s left hand is in playing position on the Sitar, the right hand is resting on the Sitar itself. Shouldn’t it be on the strings? Or there must be another explanation for it which I am perhaps missing out. All in all, the sketches are well-defined, exceptionally good; I enjoyed them enormously. My sincere thank to artist Biman Mullick for amusing us with his ingenious creation.
Mrs Rina Nandi, Reading r.nandi@ntlworld.com 28 February 2009 |
The Ragamala drawings by Biman Mullick are really interesting and expressive, depicting the Indian musical instruments and players. I am not an expert on Ragas but I understand these are based on period of the year, i.e., the month, and time of the day and night. For example some Ragas are appropriate for the early morning and some for early evening or dusk. Also they represent combination of specific musical notes. It would have been more interesting if these could be incorporated in some way either in the drawings or in the form of notes. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the drawings enormously.
Biman Ghosh, London bandrghosh@hotmail.com Feb 28, 2009 |
The drawings (Ragamala series of Biman Mullick) are really beautiful. What amazes me most is the way the artists (musicians) are brought to life with only a few pencil/brush strokes. Cases in point are the simple sketches of the "Esraj Player" and Rabindranath Tagore. The amount of detail that is put in the simple drawings is also amazing. Things like the posture of different music players, sitar as distinct from the flute and the esraj player but similar to the sarod and the tanpura player, the fact that you use all your fingers to play the flute, but not so in the sarod. I also like the Bhepu Player as it gives an impression that it is drawn on a slate or carved in stone. I cannot comment on the pictures that are based on different Ragas as I do not know the significance of each raga.
I have (an observation) regarding Sarod Player 2 and Sarod Player 3. I thought that while holding the Sarod, the outstretched hand (left hand for right handers) goes under the sarod and the fingers are on the strings. I thought that this posture was important because it gave stability to the sarod. In both the drawings 2 and 3, I find that the outstretched hand is holding the sarod from above. Am I seeing something wrong, or is that an alternative posture for playing the sarod?
Mrinmoy Ghosh mrinmoy_ghosh@yahoo.com Feb 26, 2009
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My sincere thanks to Kaushik Pal, Bidi Broderick, Santi Chakrabarty, Tridib Das, Mrinal Mitra and Robert Foes for their comments. Robert Foes would be interested to know that over fifty years ago I created some images on Bauls of Bengal. In future I intend to add those images in this series of Ragamala Graphics.
I am grateful to all who managed to look at my graphics. I know it is not easy to find them. Most of my friends could not find the graphics and became extremely frustrated. My sincere apology to them.
Biman Mullick, London bimanmullick@lineone.net Feb 24, 2009
(Mr Biman Mullick had brought this to our attention that some of his friends were not able to view the graphics on Muse India site. We had replied giving the possible difficulties they could be facing in their regions and saying that this was not due to any problem with Muse India server. If specific details are given to us, we can suggest how this problem can be overcome. - Managing Editor) |
I am grateful to Muse India for providing this space for artists and writers to expose their work to a large audience. I am particularly moved by the work of Biman Mullick. As mentioned before, he is unique in his versatility. He is obviuosly not one to be pigeon-holed. I would love to see him interpret the spirit of the Bauls of Bengal, the singing-wondering country-minstrals of his native land. Wonderful work.
Robert Foes, California, USA Feb. 23,2009 |
Raagamala Drawingd by Biman Mullick
I am honored to write a few lines on Mr. Biman Mullick’s graphics and sketches appearing as Raagmala series. To me his works in the Raagmala series have captured the essence, depth and mood of the Raagas he depicted through his subtle and unique lines. I feel at times artists concentrate more on theirs feelings than grammar and Mr. Mullick is no exception here. These pieces also tell his in-depth knowledge and love for Indian Classical Music.
As an artist/ illustrator, I know Biman Mullick for over two decades and to me he is a very friendly, loving and respected brother.
Mrinal Mitra, Toronto, Canada, mitra_mrinal@hotmail.com February 22, 2009 |
As an art lover and artist myself, I take strong exception to Mr. Santi Chakrabarti's comments. His obvious lack of art appreciation should best have been left to himself without exposing it in public. If "attributes like symmetry, proportionality..." is what one is looking for, one should look at photographs. An artist's job is not to reproduce photographs alone. Symmetry in a picture makes it predictable and boring. A street lined with identical box shaped symmetrical houses that mirror the other side of the street is 'symmetrical', but very few people will find that visually pleasing. An artist brings life to a picture. Through intentional violations of proportionality, an artist emphasizes his perspective of what brings out the life in a subject and brings it out to the viewer.
I do not like Opera. I've never been to one and have no interest in going to one. I do not understand it, and hence, I think I'm not qualified to comment on what is wrong with it!
(Art appreciation is, by and large, subjective and aesthetic sense differs widely from person to person. Mr Chakrabarti did mention that he was a layman and not an art lover, and that his views could be very traditional. Mr Biman Mullick whole-heartedly accepted his feedback though he may not necessarily agree with all of Mr Chakrabarti's views. - Managing Editor) |
I visited your site (and registered as a member of course). I thoroughly enjoyed some of the archived issues! It’s an excellent and a much needed effort in the country! Cheers on the wonderful journal!
Dr. V. Raghunathan, Chief Executive, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, Hyderabad Raghunathan.V@gmrgroup.in Feb 12, 2009
(Thanks for your warm words. – Managing Editor) |
Keep up the nice collections. I liked Biman Mullick's artwork. It is something original! Best regards,
Tridib Das, The Netherlands Feb 13, 2009
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Comments on Ragamala Graphics by Biman Mullick
I should begin with a warning. I am not at all versed in the techniques of art appreciation; nor am I an art lover and habitual visitor to art galleries or exhibitions. The following comments should therefore be treated as those of a layman whose likes and dislikes of paintings are based on conventional notions of beauty and spirit. I think the objective criteria of the conventional concept of beauty are attributes like symmetry, proportionality and natural order. The spirit concerns the impression portrayed by the paintings, such as grace, vigour, dynamism and fluidity. Here one is entering the realm of beauty that lies in the eye (i.e., mind) of the beholder. I have a vague notion that there are modern schools of art, which have scant respect for the objective attributes of beauty that I have mentioned. Their paintings are not my cup of tea.
The last point I wish to make in this longish introduction is that my comments below are based on first impression. It is possible, indeed likely, that I shall change my views about some of the paintings if and when I take a closer look at them.
As is usual, I liked some of the paintings very much and others not so much. Some paintings have an apparent lack of proportionality and order. Examples are ‘Krishna with Bansuri’ and ‘Narod Muni’ where the lower part of the body is out of proportion with the upper. In ‘Gayak with Tanpura’, the difference in bearing between the rug and the floor covering (carpet) hurts the sense of harmony and serenity. In ‘Bibhas’, one would expect the arrow in the right hand of the archer and the bow in the left. ‘Sarod Player 1’ appears a bit lifeless. In ‘Krishna with Bansuri’, the expression in the eyes is harsh. In ‘Bilawal’, the lady lacks grace. In ‘Raga Todi’, the antelope is fine; but I would prefer the lady to be playing on her instrument, enticing the antelope with the music, rather than her chasing it.
There appears to be some symbolism or abstractism in some paintings such as ‘Asavari’, ‘Sarod Player 2’ and ‘Sarod Player 3’. If so, I missed it.
Among the paintings that I have liked very much for reasons mentioned before are ‘Sarangi Badak in Horniman Museum’ and ’Esraj and Tabla Players’, which are lively and expressive. ‘Kafi 1‘ is a delightful painting. The eyes in ‘Bansuri Badak’ are very expressive and the painting has beautiful colour contrast. ‘Raga Bhairabi’ is a very good painting. The female body is exquisitely proportioned and the body curvatures and posture express dynamism as well as grace. One can feel the vigorous emotionality subsumed in the brush strokes.
The lines in ‘Sitar Badak 3’ convey an impression of both motion and rhythm. Head of the player touching the instrument gives an impression of fusion of the player’s soul with the music emanating from the strings. The lines in ‘Sitar Badika 1’ similarly give an impression of flow and rhythm. ‘Narod Muni’ depicts very expressive face and hand gesture. ‘Surya Sarang’ conveys strong impressions of radiance, power, motion and vitality.
Santi Chakrabarti, London santichakrabarti@hotmail.com Feb 10, 2009
(Dear Mr Chakrabarti, we appreciate your keen observations on Mr Biman Mullick's graphic art. The obvious error in "Bibhas" of the arrow being held in the wrong hand by the archer, is being set right. Mr Mullick has sent the corrected version that will soon replace the wrong one. Thanks indeed. - Managing Editor) |
What an interesting and innovative site! The access to Indin art and literature is most welcomed. I especially like Biman Mullick art work. Well done!
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We are grateful to Muse India for providing a world wide exposure to the regional literatures in translation. The poems by a renowned Gujarati poet Ramesh Parekh are nicely translated by Dr.Rakesh Rao. Ramesh Parekh is a poet who moves with beautiful words in his pocket and the same beauty of imagery and figurative language can be experienced in his poems. While translating his poems Dr.Rakesh Rao has taken care of retaining the sentiments intact which is really commendable.
Gopalsingh Rao, Principal, Gujarat Commerce College, Ahmedabad rao.gopalsingh@yahoo.com Jan 22, 2009 |
I loved the artwork of Musicians by Biman Mullick. A single artist, drawing in so many different styles, yet they are interconnected by a unique style. Beautiful!!
Kaushik Pal, Michigan, USA chobitara@yahoo.com Jan 14, 2009
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Hats off to you, for thinking of a quality literary ejournal and having successfully completed four years.
U.Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad u_atreyasarma@yahoo.co.in Jan 10, 2009
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It was nice to work with you ... You guys are doing an excellent job, and I look forward to our continued association.
Hirsh Sawhney, New York hirshs@gmail.com Jan 10, 2009
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The feature on Diasporic Writings was well-designed and laid out and easy to navigate. But the email feature did not work, at least from my computer. I might try it again from the office. Keep up the good work.
Saleem Peeradina, Adrian, Michigan salmum@mail.com Jan 10, 2009
(Thanks for bringing to our attention that "Mail to a friend" feature is not working. We will fix the problem as soon as possible. We regret the inconvenience caused. - Managing Editor)
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Congratulations on a beautiful issue of Muse India. I've very much enjoyed reading the work of my fellow contributors as well as feasting my eyes on the enclosed artwork.
Pireeni Sundaralingam, San Francisco pireenis@yahoo.com Jan 9, 2009 |
I viewed the site and it looks really wonderful. I've been looking through the work of the other contributors and, despite being familiar with the work of some of them, and with the experience of Diaspora, I am consistently, repeatedly amazed at the diversity and richness of the Indian Diasporic experience!
Sasha Parmasad, New York sparmasad@gmail.com Jan 9, 2009
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The Work in your Magazine is so wide angled! How very many worlds we all are, in such a tiny space on this earth! Thank you Muse India for triggering my own personal hibernating Muse. Best wishes, always,
Rayla Noel, Artist, Bangalore raylanoel@yahoo.co.in Jan 6, 2009
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Best wishes to you for the continued effort for the cause of Telugu Modern literature.
Srivirinchi, Chennai srivirinchi@rediffmail.com Jan 6, 2009 |
Congratulations on a wonderful issue of Muse India, and many thanks for including my work. I've enjoyed so much of the poetry: Ravi Shankar's taut lyrics and Shanta Acharya's poems. There is such diversity of the voices and richness.
Michelle Cahill, Australia mail4michelle@optusnet.com.au Jan 6, 2009 |
I enjoyed going through the latest issue - would like to read more - but did find the classification of the world into US and Rest of the World unnecessary. Just poets - doesn't matter where they reside. You are doing a terrific job and I wish you every success in 2009! All the best.
Shanta Acharya, London shantaacharya@btinternet.com Jan 6, 2009
(The classification was just for our convenience as Usha Akella could spend time only on sub-section involving US writers and not the entire section. It has no other significance. – Managing Editor)
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Dear friends,
In response to this ongoing debate, I just ask you a very simple question: What is poetry?
(Our members have their own perceptions and understanding of what is poetry or literature. We need to respect these individual insights. In this discussion we seem to have digressed somewhat from basic issues raised by Prof Perry in his comments. - Managing Editor) |
A true anecdote in response to Dr.Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal:
When I was in school there was a classmate of mine whose mother tongue was probably Hindi, whose first language was Urdu, and second language was English. In everyday conversation he was fluent in Hindi but not so fluent in English. But when he used to get piqued he used to show a spontaneous fluency in English expressions (expletives and all). He was not aware of this peculiarity of his, although his classmates as external observers could notice this distinctly. What this shows is that human mind on being exposed to a multilingual environment acquires different vocabularies for different expressions and not all expressions can be termed as poetry.
If a six-month old child’s hand gets burnt what will be its medium of expression? Naturally, the cry of pain, but not in any language. As it grows up its cognitive ability will help it to acquire words as exclamations, then as syntax/phrases, and then as language(s). So if a child is exposed to more than one language it will not make any distinction between them on the basis of which one is its native tongue. A grown-up person’s cry of pain or use of an abusive term in anger is more a matter of interjection, because it is used as fixed expression which might be the peculiarity of that person’s colloquial language (+culture+surrounding). That is why such words used as exclamations are untranslatable. (Many Indian writers in English who often interject their texts with vernacular expressions are unfairly accused of deliberate exoticism). But if that same person wants to express the same feeling in poetry he/she might use a different language, which can be the natural language for his/her intellectual stimulus and creative output, and might, if appropriate, even incorporate the expression of the colloquial language therein.
It is not often that a writer might have an instantaneous spontaneity in emotional release, and can struggle to find an adequate expression in any language, until there is like Ted Hughes a discovery of Shamanism, or like Yeats an acquirement of the knowledge of Mount Meru.
Amit Shankar Saha, Kolkata, saha.amitshankar@gmail.com Jan 6, 2009 |
Dr. Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal's interveiw with Dr.Christoper Rollason and Dr. Ludmila Volna imparts to the readers an enlightening account of the very act of poetic creation, the beauty as well as demerit of poetic translation to IWE and the writers' problems with publishers. As Academic journals have few subscriptions, and can't run on subscription alone, it's my opinion that writers should atleast co-operate with the journal publishers by subscribing to it. My Hearty congratulations to the Muse India team again for their miraculous achievement!
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This refers to the feedback of Amit Shankar Saha. Of course, emotion has no language. But, when that emotion is released, that release is in a language. And that release is the truest form of poetry and it comes out in one's native language. I have given example of it in the interview, where I say," Suppose my hand is burnt, what will be the medium of my expression?" Naturally, that cry of pain will be in my natural first language and it is the best example of genuine poetry, as it gushes out directly from my heart.
Dr.Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal, Rae Bareli, UP nilanshu1973@yahoo.com Jan 5, 2009
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Regarding Indian writings in English, I concur with Sri Amit Shankar Saha completely. It is not necessary to say that Indians must use English for scientific purposes only and not use it for emotive expressions. Language is the choice of the writer or poet. Critic has only to say whether the work is to his liking or not. Objective criticism is very rare today.
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Wishing this issue of Muse India a rousing success. On my reading of the interview of Christopher Rollason and Ludmila Volna by Dr Nilanshu K Agarwal I was of the view that the questions posed were intentionally hortatory to generate insightful responses. In fact the answers given by the scholars were really well measured and explicative. But in response to Prof John O. Perry, Dr Nilanshu K Agarwal has posed four points which seem to reiterate the answered questions. I give my humble observations thereon –
1. To be in empathy is to imagine an identification. Otherwise someone like Mahasweta Devi can never be in empathy with the tribals. Synthetic? Only autobiographies can then be strictly non-synthetic.
2. What is the core? Can literature be compared in terms of superior/inferior? Many Indian writers have genuinely studied English as their first language. Their language of thought is English.
3. Once Rushdie mentioned that “Trotsky was Trotsky's jailer's name. By taking it for his own, he symbolically conquered his captor and set himself free.” That is the case with English language in India.
4. Emotion has no language. Its spontaneity will be hampered if there are restrictions in its language of expression. Thus the statement that it is not proper to apply English for emotive uses is itself confining.
Amit Shankar Saha, Kolkata, saha.amitshankar@gmail.com Jan 5, 2009 |
I have read a couple of articles posted here. Let me congratulate you on a very professional work done here. My first take was, naturally, Srimati Ambika Ananth's review of my book, Telugu Women Writers, 1950-1975. The review picked up on the main features of my book, which I appreciate very much. She did a wonderful job.
I have read Usha Akella's review article (editorial comment) on the poetry featured in this issue. Once again, I must say I am impressed by her insights. Best wishes,
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Response to Prof John O. Perry
This is with reference to the comments of Prof. Perry on my interview with Christopher Rollason and Ludmila Volna. With due respect to the penetratingly sharp literary acumen of Prof. Perry, I wish to lay certain points for further discussion:
1. Most of the authors of IWE have an intense awareness of Indian culture and civilization. But, then there is a whole breed of contemporary novelists, who are brought up in anglicized European atmosphere. They are from the upper strata of society. How can they generate the feeling of empathy for the masses in their works; if they portray the lot of the masses, it will be synthetic, as they have never experienced the pain themselves.
2. IWE is not inferior to vernacular literature. But every literature which is not from the core within is inferior to a literature of genuine emotions. An Indian writer (whose first language is his native one) writing his works in English language cannot claim spontaneity in his works, as English is his second language. There will be no problem, if English is his natural and spontaneous first language.
3. English language was used by the Empire to colonize our institutions. How can this language of colonial exploitation become the language of our creative upsurge, while the subconscious layers of our minds consider it to be a tool of colonial oppression?
4. One should not oppose English language in the present scenario, as it is a global language, linking various cultures. Even in India, it is working as a lingua franca. I. A. Richards had talked of two functions of language—scientific and emotive. For the Indians, it is proper to apply English language for its scientific uses, but not for its emotive uses, as it is not the language of our emotional well being; and to borrow an expression of Wordsworth, poetry is nothing but ‘the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings’.
I had presented a paper at Calicut Book Fair of 2008, which addressed most of the issues raised here. If the editors of Muse India agree, I can send them a copy of the said paper. They may use it in the next issue of Muse India for further elaboration of my point of view.
Dr Nilanshu K Agarwal, Rae Bareli, UP nilanshu1973@yahoo.com Jan 4, 2009
(You may send your paper for our consideration, Dr Agarwal. - Managing Editor) |
Thank you Muse India for including my translation in the present issue. I have been a member of Muse India since a couple of years now, and the issues have always been commendable. Having worked for sometime closely with the 'Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature' at Sahitya Akademi, translation became even more meaningful for me when I read and compiled the works of authors, writing in 24 different Indian languages, each with its own distinct flow and yet all combining to form that mesmerizing stream called 'Indian Literature'. Muse India's initiative to reach out across all diversities through the art of translation is indeed a magnificent effort in this area. Looking forward to more such wonderful issues in future...
My New Year wishes to the entire Muse India team.
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Crucial issue of aesthetic expression in IWE
The exercise involving Nilanshu Agarwal asking two foreign critics of Indian writing in English some fairly standard, if not outmoded (potentially condescending?), questions concerning the functioning of English in India was disappointing. One had expected a more knowledgeable interlocutor--or one who employed his thorough reading of current thinking about Indians writing in English. At a minimum he would recognize that there have been great accomplishments in all genres of Indian writing in English--poetry, fiction, criticism, (auto-)biography, history, philosophy (cultural theory), and so on. Such an interlocutor would not use disparaging terms like Indo-Anglian for such writers or accuse them of being alienated from one or another slice of multicultural Indian living--both quite passé stances for those Indian critics who want to promote (as they well may and must do) writing in the other-than-English Indian languages. He would not assume that Indian writing in English is inferior writing as well as not truly Indian, whatever that term can possibly mean concerning work produced by persons native to India or still connected to one or another of its diverse, at times conflicting, self-contradictory heritages.
Quite evidently, much, perhaps most, Indian writing in English that gets published in some way (including on independently vetted internet sites) reveals some idiosyncratic, even solecistical practices of an English user who lacks a relatively subtle and sensitive idiomatic competence, compared with those who have evolved a personal style within the wide range of usages that are tolerated in the sub-continent. That degree of toleration, well explored decades ago by Indian linguistic scientist Braj K. Kachru in his work on the Indianization of English in South Asia has arisen for various reasons. "Indian English" (as that wide indigenous assemblage of "Indianized" usages is often termed) is certainly necessary as the linking language of governance, education, technology, commerce, etc., across the subcontinent as well as globally. Indeed, such linguistic looseness (distinguishable from necessary innovation, true aesthetic creativity, and inevitable dialectical [distinctive group] variations) is a potentially useful, but immediately counterproductive, by-product arising from every sort of cultural communication, whether termed "literature" or personal expression, technological labelling, or whatever the underlying cultural practices with language that arise among India's wonderfully diverse (linguistically as well ethnically defined) cultures, intercultural societies, national institutions, non-governmental and/or commercial enterprises, and so on. So much for questions about effective interactions among India's many language usages.
The crucial issue that the intercultural interlocutors never seriously discussed concerns not differing language usages as such but the underlying assumptions about aesthetic expression and reception that differ substantially among such widely differing mega-cultures as the Western European, the Slavic or Eastern European, and the South Asian. It is these differences, more than those of language-translating, that hinder the full appreciation by a foreigner of literary art in India that most likely is based on the classical Sanskritic triad of rasa, dhvani, and alamkara that Agarwal mentioned as a "theory" of literature which non-Indian reader-critics need to be aware of. It is not as a theory for critics that the aesthetic assumptions prioritizing emotion in Indian-heritage (including popular) aesthetic productions are difficult for non-Indians to make operate in their experience of literature (specially poetry); it is as a learned but basic way of experiencing literary language, when, for those imbued with Western aesthetic assumptions, which prioritize cognitive experiences (insights, new ideas, new understandings) of possibly new human relationships-- from city-dwelling to liberated ethnic, feminist, gay-lesbian life-styles to subtleties of psychology, sociology, whatever seems "new" and thus valid to experience as "artfully" transmitted.
For the final issue of Chandrabhaga, #15 (2007), I wrote an essay praising two recent poems by Jayanta Mahapatra because I could appreciate them in my own American (i.e., Western European-heritage, cognition-valuing terms). I tried to show what meanings in the poem impressed me. Classical and folk Indian cultural productions understand that the experiencing of art is for pleasure and that may best come from feelings that are beautiful and beautifully presented, while the culture's moral and other truths are conveyed in communications divinely conveyed in the earliest understanding or conveyed through a person or chain of knowledgeable persons ultimately resting on some more or less incontrovertible basis. Any such simplified explanation of the different assumptions of two quite different ways of experiencing what are considered aesthetic objects is obviously open to wide-ranging debate, but that is the sort of discussion that I had hoped would be part of the intercultural exchange in Muse India.
All good wishes,
Prof John Oliver Perry, Seattle, USA joperry2@gmail.com Jan 3, 2009
(Thank you, Prof Perry, for your detailed observations. We will welcome a discussion on the issues you have raised. - Managing Editor) |
Greetings and Happy New Year!
It's an honor to be part of Muse India community. You have done a tremendously beautiful job of putting so many diverse talents and voices together that the 4th Anniversary Issue looks like a well-organized orchestra playing soulful melodies each time you visit the site. It's a blessing and a live source of encouragement and adventure. The first impression of the New Issue is magnificent.
Here is a poem in honor of Muse India / HMV (Her Master’s Voice)
Muse India is Mother India
Living next door
She is there anytime
I knock at her door
She waters my roots
Nurtures my mind
Stirs my heart
Distills my rhythms
Enlivens my fantasy
Embraces my reluctance
I hear Her Voice
She is my young antiquity
And still blossoming!
Encore!!
With best wishes,
Sat Paul Goyal, John Hopkins Univ, USA paulgoyal@yahoo.com Jan 3, 2009
(This is a tremendous tribute, Mr Goyal. We are humbled by it. We can only say thank you; this motivates us to strive harder. - Managing Editor) |
I quickly skimmed through some of the pages. I have read the editorial by Akella Usha. It is very interesting. I still have to read other articles. Congratulations on an issue well put together.
Malathi Nidadavolu, thulika.net, US thulikan@thulika.net Jan 3, 2009
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Uniqueness is your forte. I wish you and through you all distinguished members of Muse India a very happy, thought provoking new year. Kindly feel free if I can be of any help to you in this journey of yours.
KK Srivastava, Rajkot, Gujarat kksrivastava_ran@yahoo.com Jan 3, 2009
(We too wish you a happy New Year. Thanks for your offer of help. We’ll keep that in mind. – Managing Editor)
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The entire issue is very well organized and has good stuff for me to read. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Ranu Uniyal, Lucknow ranu_uniyal@rediffmail.com Jan 3, 2009
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Thank you for the "communication". This issue, like previous issues, managed to keep a very high standard and I am sure your effort will be appreciated.
Biman Mullick, London bimanmullick@lineone.net Jan 3, 2009
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Thanks for the new issue of Muse India. It is quite rich in content. My New Year wishes to you, your family and the Muse India fraternity too!
K Satchidanandan, Trivandrum satchida@gmail.com Jan 3, 2009 |
Thank you for sending me the Muse India issue, and congratulations on your fourth anniversary. As someone who has been closely involved with poetry for many years, I know how difficult it must be to keep it going in a world where so many people believe that literature is a waste of time.
I just wanted to wish you and your team a very happy and productive 2009 and hope there are many, many more editions of the magazine. If there is any way in which I can help, please do let me know.
Menka Shivdasani, Navi Mumbai menka.shivdasani@gmail.com Jan 3, 2009
(Thank you for your good wishes. Though literary journals are difficult to sell, we believe there are many who would support a good publication. We wish you a happy New Year and will keep your offer of help in mind. – Managing Editor) |
Congratulations on such a wonderful January issue!
Pramila Venkateswaran, New York pramilav@optonline.net Jan 3, 2009 |
Your effort in keeping Muse India attractive is commendable.
A. Sethuramiah, Bangalore asethu1357@yahoo.com Jan 2, 2009 |
My only regret is Muse India does not allow unknown or budding creative minds to flourish properly. These scholars (who are being published) have already found their space. May I hope you will treat my grudge as a humble request!
Ashish Dimri, New Delhi ashishdimri1@gmail.com Jan 02, 2009
(We have presented a number of relatively unknown writers in our issues, including the latest one. We try to strike a balance between established writers and new voices. We created “Your Space,” our online posting column, basically to provide a platform for budding writers. It attracts several postings every day. – Managing Editor) |
I read a little bit from the new edition of Muse India that has just been uploaded. It looks lovely and there are wonderful diasporic writers. A good edition!
Nabina Das, Ithaca, New York nabinamail@yahoo.com Jan 02, 2009 |
Congratulations to Surya and his team for bringing together so many poets, translators and academics. The poetry of Meena Kandasamy, Kala Ramesh, Arathi, Mamta Sagar and Kondepudi Nirmala, Shajahana, Varanasi Nagalakshmi to name a few was truly a delectable fare to savour for a long time to come. To top it all, as an icing on the cake, an evening of music! May we have many more such Muse Meets.
(Thank you, Prof. Jayalakshmi for your candid comments. We shall try our best to hold such meets more often in future. And yes, we need your participation and kind patronage. - Editor) |
It was really nice to interact with poets of different flavours all on one platform. I am grateful to Muse India and all the poets who attended the meet. I did learn a lot about translations, role of poets in crises times and also styles of presentation. The panel discussion was clear about the present situation in the country and gave a platform for poets to expres their views.
I gathered loads of food for thought and I am happy I was a part of the meet! I am sure youngsters need to attend such confluence of thoughts to better serve the nation as they will be exposed to various thoughts and ideas. I thank all the poets and Muse India for creating this rich and rewarding experience.
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I never expected so many academics to come to the meet. In Chennai, academics are quite divorced from writers. But this was really unbelievable in my opinion. I actually spent half an hour in the station, and every second I was wondering about what is happening in the meet. This was really beautiful. I think we should organize one in Chennai sometime next year.
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I can imagine the effort you have put, along with others who assisted you, in organising this event. Avery big 'thank you' to Sri Mallick garu for the hospitality which we enjoyed thoroughly! The entire program was conducted with just the right kind of balance. Congratulations for this wonderful job!
Varanasi Nagalakshmi, Hyderabad sarma_varanasi@yahoo.com Dec 23, 2008
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Thank you very much (for inviting us to Muse Meet 2008). It was a great occasion. We could meet and interact with several people from across the nation and share our passion for poetry. Regards,
Hanumantha Reddy K, Hyderabad hrkodidela@yahoo.com Dec 23, 2008
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Thank You for organising the wonderful meet and truly it has stirred something very deep listening to the powerful poetry. I have always enjoyed telugu poetry, but with the translations in front of us, I understood how difficult a task it is really to get the essence during translations ... three cheers to the successful translators and a note of caution to amateurs. From my professional perspective , I felt really how therapeutic poetry is (though we do use it .. along with lyrics of songs!!) Thank you once again for the opportunity and looking forward to many more!!!
Vasuprada Kartic, Hyderabad vasuprada@deeksha.org Dec 23, 2008
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We are very happy on having the rare opportunity of participating in a multi-literary meet on a very crucial theme (Muse Meet 2008). Your mission of projecting Indian literary sensibilities through internet is a difficult task. We are with you in this effort. Thank you.
Dec 23, 2008
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I heard about this site a few days back through a friend. I have read quite a few stories. The story "Jhumma" written by Vempalli Shariff Mohammad was really impressive. It rightly pointed out the burning topic of bomb blasts, and need for religious tolerance. The writer has nicely projected the heart-touching feelings of a mother towards her son, and her consideration for his safety. The stories from Bengali and Oriya literatures are impressive. The work of Sindhu Menon is good.
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I suggest that you slightly modify your software for "Your Space" column. As soon as someone posts some matter, the computer must send a message thanking the sender and acknowledging receipt of the matter so that the sender is sure that it has been submitted and properly received. Do look into this aspect please.
J S Broca, New Delhi jsbroca@yahoo.com Dec 15, 2008
(Thanks for a good suggestion. Certainly we'll look into this. - Managing Editor) |
I just read the short stories that won the translation prize. Margaret Pachuau’s story was very captivating and brought the north east closer to my heart. Nonovo is still fresh in my heart. Ahana Lakshmi's story revived my own family traditions. I kept smiling to myself throughout and experienced whatever the protagonist felt. I was taken aback when the american in yellow skirt was infact the goddess herself. I looked around and pinched myself to ensure that what I was reading was fiction and not real!!
Amazing short stories! CONGRATULATIONS to the winners!! I congratulate Muse India Team to have conducted the translation contests. It binds the diverse indian culture in its own unique way!
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I suggest that some colour should be added to the postings - be it poetry or fiction or opinion, a coloured picture will enhance the visual appeal and as you know, a picture is much more worth than a thousand words. Please let me know whether this is feasible.
J S Broca, New Delhi jsbroca@yahoo.com Dec 4, 2008
(Dear Mr Broca, as of now visuals cannot be handled in Your Space postings. We will look into this possibility. - Managing Editor)
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Dear Sir,
I would like to know how to correct a posting. Suppose some error/mistake has crept in and it is observed after it is posted, then have we to inform you and only you can correct it ? Please guide.
Name and other details not given.
(In spite of our instructions, you have not furnished your details. Obviously you are referring to postings made in 'Your Space.' Yes, once the matter is posted you have to ask us to make the changes; you have no access to the text to do it yourself. - Managing Editor) |
I am repeatedly trying to send a literary article on Jayanta Mahapatra to Muse India, but the mail is bouncing back. However I keep receiving mails from the managing Editor. Kindly specify the mail id that I can send my article to.
Dr.I.S.V.Manjula, Visakhapatnam satyadrmanjula@yahoo.com Nov 24, 2008
(Dear Dr Manjula, sometimes our mail inboxes do give problems temporarily. We regret the inconvenience caused. You may send the material to managingeditor@museindia.com and gsprao2003@yahoo.co.in. - Managing Editor) |
Sri GSP Rao garu,
You have proven yourself indomitable! You and your team have successfully launched the rich and varied Indian literatures on the global scene - a Herculean task. We are happy our works and our cultures are showcased and broader critical evaluations are in sight, thanks to you. We are happy to glimpse the achievements of other regions.
I know only Telugu and am heartened by the translations of Telugu stories. They carry the tone and resonance of the sources. About Raavi Shastri's story: even readers who had felt that his plots were overly sensationalized, were always delighted by the sensuous and lyrical quality of his distinctive style. The poetry and the rhythm of his language was caught by the translator Ms B. Indira. We see a promise of real good translators showing up in future.As you said in your editorial, there is a strong need for good translations of acclaimed stories. Congratulations, Sir.
Vasundhara Ratakonda New York vratakonda@yahoo.com Nov 11, 2008
(Thank you for your kind words, appreciation and constant support to Museindia. We shall try our best to achieve our mission with encouragement of people like you.) |
I observe from the authors' list (index) that it needs to be updated. Does it also include the names of poets? If yes, then I tried to see Shernaz Wadia's name under "S" but it was missing. If names of poets contributing to Muse are not listed/indexed then I feel an effort should be made to do the needful. Further, after reading background of Editor Shri GSP Rao, I feel it may be worthwhile to know the background of other eminent persons comprising the Editorial Committee (if there is one !) so that readers can get to know about them. Still further, if feasible, a short biodata (with a photograph) must be compiled in case of all the poets and authors and displayed suitably some where in the magazine.
Do think over these suggestions and implement them if found worthwhile.
J S Broca New Delhi jsbroca@yahoo.com Nov 09, 2008
(We do have a panel of eminent editors. Their profiles and photographs can be viewed by visiting "Team" and clicking on their names. Our "Authors Index" carries profiles of only those writers whose works are featured in our bi-monthly eJournal but does not cover those who are posting their work in Your Space. Further, profiles of all authors are included in each issue, with their photos wherever available. May be you are still new and have not tried out these facilities. Please do use them. - Managing Editor) |
I have a small suggestion to make. These days it is a common practice to post photographs of poets and authors along with their contributions. For example, I had submitted an article to Business Line and they had asked me to send them my photograph which was published along with my article. Recently I have submitted an article to The Indian Banker, a publication of IBA, and they too have called for my photograph which is being published shortly. Our Bank's house magazine has also recently started this practice. Do think it over and implement it. Thanks.
J S Broca New Delhi jsbroca@yahoo.com Nov 09, 2008
(Thanks, Mr Broca; photographs of the authors are available in their profiles. Profiles can be viewed by clicking on their names on top of the page of their work. However, some writers don't send their photos. - Managing Editor) |
The current issue on translations is truly delightful. I enjoyed going through it very much. In Bangla, (as I'm not in a position to comment on other literatures) we do have a rich fare in the post Tagore-Nazrul period too which needs to be translated for wider circulation. Writers like Bani Basu, Nabaneeta Dev Sen, who are living authors, or poets like Shankha Ghosh, or the writers and poets of the mid twentieth century. Anyway, thanks for Muse India. It offers a great reading pleasure!
Jayita Sengupta, Kolkata indianlit@rediffmail.com Nov 8, 2008
(We agree with you that in Bangla - and this is true of all our regional literatures - there have been several important writers in more recent times whose works need to be translated. We have carried in this issue selections from submissions received in our contest. Incidentally, we have featured articles on, or works by, Bani Basu and Nabaneeta Dev Sen in our past issues. We will be happy to receive translations of other writers from our members / readers. - Managing Editor) |
Thank you for the wonderful boost you have given me with the prize in the story translation contest.
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It is heartening as well as encouraging to see my translation receive an appreciative mention in Muse India. Thank you. I congratulate the Muse India team that worked hard to bring out this delightful and impressive issue on translation. Your attempt to attract the best in all regional literatures through translation and for offering them a common platform is highly commendable.
Popuri Jayalakshmi, Hyderabad, jaya.popuri@gmail.com November 05, 2008
(Thanks for your participation and a good submission. You may continue to send your contributions to Muse India in future.) |
The translations from Oriya language and literature have given altogether a bleak picture of the said literature. You could have selected better writers. With this number and standard, a sincere reader can’t (get a correct picture of the literature) … I have no intention to be judgmental on the translations or the poets. However, I congratulate you for the noble and sincere effort.
Manu Dash, Editor, Dhauli Review manmohan_dash@yahoo.com Nov 4, 2008
(Thanks for your honest comment. These were merely selections from the entries received in our translation contest and in no way reflected the best of translations of regional literatures available. We have drawn attention in the Editorial to observation of some of the Judges that caliber of translations and selection of works could have been better in the contest. We drew the conclusion that "this suggests that there is a strong need for good translations of our regional literatures so that their richness could be more effectively reflected." - Managing Editor) |
I have to admit, if there is one magazine in India that shows the promise of attaining the quality of the likes of THE PARIS REVIEW and AGNI, it is our very own Muse India. What an excellent issue!
Thanks to you and your editorial board, writers and translators in India have a global platform that exude professionalism and creative brilliance.
Nikesh Murali, Australia nikeshmurali@gmail.com Nov 4, 2008
(Thanks indeed for your generous words. - Managing Editor)
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The current issue of Muse India offers rich fare in terms of variety and depth. The prizes are incidental, translations are really good. A great effort on your part to promote regional literatures! The poems and stories can be compared with the best in the world. Now that Telugu has got ancient language status, efforts such as yours should get institutional support. Mine was a lonely mission in the late 80s - Chandra Mouliji knows this, there were very few who considered translation as a dignified preoccupation - and I'm now happy that the perception is reversed. I hope your e-journal stands for the best traditions of the translation activity, capturing the brightest in the country!
K.Damodar Rao, Assoc. Prof. of English, Kakatiya Univerisity, Warangal damodarrao_k@yahoo.com Nov 4, 2008
(Thank you for your kind words. We will continue to strive to encourage and publish good translations from our rich regional literatures. - Managing Editor)
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Mr GSP Rao, you and your team deserve all the accolades coming your way for this superb edition you have brought out. It is a rich and valuable mosaic. Thank you very much. Keep it up!
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Congratulations to Mr. GSP Rao and his team for publishing a special issue on tranlations! As translations from poetry and short fiction were invited on competitive basis, you could receive several excellent ones and with them you could make this elightening and entertaining garland!! I do feel that you are putting into practice the Gandhian philosophy. As India lives in thousands of villages, her pulse could be read only from the regional languages and literatures. By inspiring writers to translate these regional literatures, you are not only enriching Indian Writing in English but also promoting national integration which very few editors and publishers do!!! Mr. Surya, feel proud and march ahead. We are behind you.
K. V. Dominic, Editor, Indian Journal of Postcolonial Literatures, Thodupuzha, Kerala. E-mail: kdominicnewman@gmail.com Nov 3, 2008 |
As usual Muse India has produced a delightful and beautiful edition. I congratulate and commend the editors who strove so much for presenting this variety in such a pleasant form. This issue of Muse India is beautiful garland made of flowers picked from all beautiful places. Thanks for a delicious treat. Glad that my Sanskrit story and its translation has been found commendable and got a place in this delighting composition. Best wishes for further progress with more enthusiasm.
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Congradulations on the new issue of Muse India. It is so good to know about the response from various languages. Keep it up. All the best for future efforts. With seasons geetings,
Binda Paranjape, Varanasi binda_bhu@rediffmail.com Nov 2, 2008
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Thank you very much … the Issue brings in a lot of encouragement for me as a translator, and I am privileged to have a journal such as Muse India bringing Mizo literature in translation into a more 'mainstream' platform. My heartiest congratulations to you on the issue on translation.
Margaret L.Pachuau, Aizawl, Mizoram maggielpachuau@gmail.com Nov 1, 2008 |
Congratulations! Now you need to plan for a future volume in which translations of some important and interesting Classical Telugu and Classical Kannada texts could be published. Regards,
Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh Director, CIIL, Mysore unsciil@yahoo.com Nov. 1, 2008
(Thank you, Prof Singh. We will keep this in mind and work towards it. Your suggestion comes on a day when the Govt.of India has decided to confer the status of classical language on both Telugu and Kannada. - Managing Editor) |
Lage raho, Surya bhai!
Naresh Jain, New Delhi jainenkay@yahoo.com Nov 1, 2008
(This is one of the most encouraging mails we have ever received! Thanks indeed. - Managing Editor)
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Congratulations to Muse India for rendering precious service to Indian Literature for four years now. I'm sure Muse India will keep doing this for decades to come. I will always be glad to be a part of Museindia Mission.
Hemang Desai, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat hemangde@yahoo.com Nov 1, 2008
(Thank you for your good wishes. Together, all of us have to take this mission forward. We appreciate your gesture of wholehearted support. - Managing Editor)
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Thank you very much for including my work in the ‘commendable’ part of Muse India. I'm thrilled beyond words. It’s a terrific issue and most diverse that I've seen so far. This is India indeed!
Annie George, Kottayam, Kerala anniegeorg@gmail.com Nov 1, 2008
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Thank you for a wonderful issue and especially for being kind enough to include my work. I really feel honoured. I specially liked the prize-winning contributions. I am looking forward to reading the entire issue carefully.
Swapna Dutta, Bangalore swapnadutta2000@yahoo.com Nov 1, 2008
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Hearty congrats! The latest issue is impressive in content and visuals. An astounding endeavour, well conceived and exquisitely executed by Muse India team, deserves warm compliments. Your triumph lies in kindling and sustaining the spirit of emotional integration among fellow countrymen. When people with short term goals arouse regional fervour resulting in loss of life and public property, you have provided soothing service silently. We are indebted to you for offering creative out put in different parts of the country through translations in this issue. A multilingual nation like India with several sub-cultures needs channels to transmit literary and cultural heritage to all parts of the land and beyond the borders too. Emphasis on human relations and significance of regional flavour in the poems and short stories is all the more gratifying. Kindly keep the good work going. Warm regards.
(Thank you for your warm words. - Managing Editor) |
Congratulations on the Translation issue of Muse India! The selected write-ups are indeed very poignant and being drawn from diverse languages, they add to Muse India's rich profile.
Nabina Das, Ithaca, NY nabinamail@yahoo.com Nov 01, 2008 |
Muse India's latest Nov-Dec 2008 issue takes me round the boundary lines of undivided India with her songs on my lips; a very rare feeling, perhaps felt decades back by the freedom fighters of our motherland. It is a great job to stitch the petals back to the stem to create a flower that had blossomed in the patriotic fervour in the first half of the last century. I congratulate GSP Rao, Ambika Ananth, TC Chandramouli and all other editors for their noble efforts, first to have this idea and then executing it with clinical precision. I take great pride to be part of the Muse India mission.
Kumarendra Mallick, Hyderabad mallik_ku@yahoo.com Nov 1, 2008 |
I have been a regular reader of Muse India since its inception. I am also happy to find the suggestions and feedbacks are carried out and implemented wherever possible. I would like to thank and congratulate the editorial board for their consistent quality of work in bringing out issue after issue so well; also the web designers who are able to bring it with the latest usages and designs, and the Editor without whose interest and coordination this would not have survived for so long. I wish and hope the same will continue in the years to come. Great Work! Regards,
(Thanks for your warm words. We will continue to strive to keep up the standard. - Managing Editor) |
Eminent Bengali writer Sunil Gangopadhay turned 75 last September. He has written poems, novels, short stories, dramas, memoirs, travelogues and literary essays. In a word, his contribution to the Bengali literature and language is immense.
Niamul Hossain Mallick, Burdwan niamulmullick@yahoo.co.in Oct 7, 2008
(Thanks for the information. Sunil Gangopadhyay's contribution has indeed been immense. We wish him a long and active life. It will be nice, however, if you could translate two of his short poems into English and post in "Your Space." - Editor) |
We are publishers and have published the book "Noorella Panta" compiled by Late Smt. Dr Bhargavi Rao. I was going thorougt one of the articles written by Mrs. Sujatha Gopal about Dr Bhargavi . In the article it is mentioned that "Noorella Panta" was published by Dr Bhargavi. We request you to make change in this regard.
Ravindra Nath, Prism Books Pvt Ltd., Hyderabad Oct 5, 2008
(Thanks for bringing this to our notice. The error is regretted and the correction will be incorporated. - Managing Editor) |
After posting her first poem What is she? in "Your Space" (Sep 28, 2008) and reacting to the response by Kumarendra Mallick, Dr. Pooja Bhuyar writes,
"Thank you very much Sir for extending your support. I have deep trust in God and always feel that He is the force behind us in whatever we do. Because I have experienced it myself. I write all my poems in a short time and just write on the thought running in my mind. When I arrange all the lines, it's a nice poem and I feel very happy. My parents' perceptions and perseverance hold in me as my strength. I love reading, helping the poor as I get to see the different levels of poverty in my profession as I am a doctor. I am also a good singer as I started learning music when I was 3 years old. I play all percussion instruments, too. I am a good tabla player. I am still onto climbing the first step of wisdom and wish to have all your support. Actually I am very happy after I read the appreciation of my poem and I have lost words to tell something about me. I am very grateful to museindia to give me this platform and I shall struggle hard to come up to your expectations."
Dr. Pooja Bhuyar, Bijapur pooza_29@yahoo.com |
I had submitted a response to Shernaz Wadia's poem "Where is the present lost ?" a day or two ago.However, it has not been posted so far.Could you please look into the matter? Thanks.
J S Broca, New Delhi jsbroca@yahoo.com Sep 23, 2008
(It was not received by us. May be there was some problem with transmission. Please send it again. - Managing Editor)
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When ‘the process and the product’ are genuinely appreciated it fills the creator with a rare joy. As one of the team members of Muse India, I feel very good getting appreciative feedback from readers, who are kind enough to take time to go through the contents and respond to them. Most of the well-wishers and members of Muse India remain content by ‘saying’ a good word about the e-journal when I chance to meet them; however, they display a sort of laid back attitude when it comes to posting their views/opinions/criticism. It is saddening that though it is just a ‘click’ away, ‘appreciation,’ ‘response,’ and ‘suggestions’ come our way very sparingly.
What prompted me to write this is the wonderful, objective, genuine feedback from Vasundhara Devi Ratakonda, who not only sponsored this Issue but had invested her deep analytical mind and empathizing heart to go through all the contents and comment very inspiringly and thought provokingly. Many thanks to her..!!
Dr.Kumarendra Mallick is known for his insightful, critical and appreciative comments put across in a loving manner. He never fails to respond, never forgets to encourage. Thanks to him, one of our supporting pillars.
Ambika Ananth, Bangalore ambika.ananth@gmail.com Sep 19, 2008 |
Besides poetry, fiction, opinion, I feel in today's stressed world there is a need for encouraging articles on HUMOUR and SATIRE .
J S Broca, New Delhi (email not given) Sep 19, 2008
(Earlier we had a section on humour, A-muse-d, which could not be sustained due to lack of enough contributions. We will try to revive it. - Managing Editor) |
The current issue of Muse India, featuring Telugu and Marathi literatures, is excellent. It is painstakingly put together with care and imagination. Telugu literary sensibility got a focus because the poems and six articles on the poetry scene and four stories, and also one important book review appear together. It was a pleasant surprise considering the dormant Telugu presence on the English scene.
'In conversation' with Dilip Jhaveri is thought-provoking.Clarity in outlook, originality in choice of words and avoiding cliched phrases seem to be his hallmark.
Sri Raju's SATRAYAGA is a marvellous story of man's quest for truth. He makes good use of the literary device of magic realism. Man's failing quest for the joy of life in modern times is aesthetically portrayed in P. Satyavathi's MY SONG. The feeling relationship between man and land and the relentless onslaught of a callous urbanization on it is effectively evoked in THE TRUSTED LAND by Viswanatha Reddy.
Ambika Ananth's review of R.S.Sudarshanam's THE TREE OF LIFE is empathetic, fair and comprehensive. It brings out her deep understanding of life situations and capability to appreciate literature. I am with her in her assessments here. Asked why she combined brutal violence with God's grace in her stories, the famous shortstory writer Flannery O'conner answered: "You have to make your vision apparent by shock.To the hard of hearing you shout, and for the blind, you draw large and startling figures." Many of Sudarshanam's stories present sin. Maybe he is showing grace is beyond the -ve aspects of morality!
R.Vasundhara Devi, USA vratakonda@yahoo.com Sep 15, 2008 |
The Sep-Oct 2008 Issue (No.21) of Muse India brings me still closer to India's rich literary traditions, and I feel delighted and proud that I am a small part of this vast ocean. Metaphors vary, new ideas crop in, themes create new terrains but one thing does not change: the Indian ethos. Every language provides a new petal, a new colour to just one flower, the Indian literature. The Marathi and Telugu poems, short stories and other works, translated though, retain a freshness and the original emotions. The editors - Hemant Divate and T.S. Chandramouli - have taken a lot of pains and care; so also GSP Rao and Ambika in their respective spheres. The net result is a splendour. The photograhs with raindrops may inspire some to write new poems. Hearty congratulations!
Kumarendra Mallick Hyderabad malik_ku@yahoo.com Sep 11, 2008 |
I should say honestly that wonderful things are happening in 'Muse India.’ It would have never been possible on my part to read such high standard stories of Dilip Chitre and Vilas Sarang, whom we all know as important poets only. Hemant Divate has rightly chosen Sarang and Chitre's stories.
I have not gone through the Telugu literature part due to paucity of time, but I will go through it in a day or two. I must congratulate you for maintaining high standard of the e-journal, which is the backbone of its survival. Suggestions can be given in gratis, but the editor of your standard knows well where the shoe pinches.
Manu Dash, Shahdol, MP manmohan_dash@yahoo.com Sep 7, 2008 |
I had the honour of getting one of my poems published in your esteemed poetry magazine. From your mail, I came to know about the contest (for translated works) to be held. That’s perhaps good, as it may test the skill of poets, specially upcoming poets like me. But pardon me, Sir, I fail to understand why must a 'cash award' be given for literary work, specially poetry? Many such contests do take place at national and international levels, but I am humbly asking you - should money be attached to literary works? I 'm not quite sure.
I love the look and content of your website, and humbly appeal to you, Sir, wouldn't it be better to publish the best works in the front page (just a suggestion) instead of cash prize? I beg to apologise if I'm sounding too humble or "talking too much"!
Arunansu Bandyopadhyay, Kolkata arunansu.b@dellmail.com Sep 4, 2008
(We appreciate your feelings about cash awards for literary works. We will publish the best submissions received in the translation contest, as we had done for fiction and poetry contests held a few months ago. So the main reward for participants will be that if their work is good they will get published. Cash awards are basically to involve more writers and translators. We feel this is one way to reach out to more writers and get them involved in a venture like Muse India. – Managing Editor) |
Dear Chandramouli, saw the website of Muse India. It is very nice. Your article is a wonderful attempt.
S Kirubhakaran, Muscat kirubhas@gmail.com Sep 4, 2008 |
Thank you very much for the beautiful issue of Sep-Oct 2008 edition. It is as inviting as its earlier editions. It is both eye and heart friendly. Congratulations to the editors and scholars who strove to give us this joyful treat.
(Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. - Managing Editor)
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It is a great pleasure for me to read the latest issue, Sept-Oct 2008. It is excellent in all respects. The added attraction is publication of translated works from Telugu literature which has given me much satisfaction.
I am not sure whether Muse India is being published in print / book format also. If so, please help me with address where it is available in Hyderabad.
Further, I have gone through the details of your 'Team' which has very resourceful, eminent personalities who are elevating the status of Muse India to very great extent, in addition to the Editor's Contribution which ultimately reflects the content, form and exhuberance of the magazine.
Finally, the matter of disappointment for me, even though in a small way, is that I did not find any person in your team representing Telugu Literature, the reasons for which are not known and the same need not be known to outsiders like me. I feel, if you include someone appropriate the small gap will be properly filled in.
Since I have writing skills only in my mother-tongue Telugu, I will not be able to contribute to your magazine in English. However, if you can arrange for translation from Telugu to English, I will be able to send some poems written by me and also some literature articles. I have contributed, in Telugu, biographical essays on eminent Telugu personalities to publications all over the globe.
K B S Sarma, Assistant General Manager, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), Hyderabad Sep 4, 2008
(Thanks for your mail and warm words about our editorial team. Prof Bhargavi Rao, who recently passed away, was one of the founding editors of Muse India and a well known scholar and writer in Telugu literature. Ms Ambika Ananth, another of our founding editors, is a Telugu and English poet, translator and a journalist. They were looking after our coverage of Telugu literature and there was no need for us to have a separate Contributing Editor for Telugu.
As of now Muse India does not have a print version. We do not take up translations ourselves. If you get your work translated and send it, that can be considered for publication. - Managing Editor) |
To Dr Chandramouli. Great work, Sir. I'm going through the latest issue with excitement … I'm so happy to learn that there is a lot of effort behind this issue. Do keep up the good work.
Annie George, Kottayam anniegeorg@gmail.com Sep 4, 2008
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CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!! Muse India is no doubt No. 1 e-journal in India. What captured my eyes first is the excellent and enlightening interview with one of the leading contemporary Indo-Anglian poets, Dr. D. C. Chambial (Editor of POETCRIT) by an ardent lover of literature, Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal. If you are a lover of English literature, especially, Indian Writing in English, you need not go after Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Horace, Sydney, Dryden, Coleridge, Arnold, Eliot etc. to learn about poetry, but just read this interview and you will learn as well as feel what poetry is, as it is imparted by a fellow countryman without any pretensions.
K. V. DOMINIC, Editor, Indian Journal of Postcolonial Literatures (IJPCL), Thodupuzha, Kerala kdominicnewman@gmail.com Sep 3, 2008 |
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Dear Dr. Chandramouli, thanks so much for this info (on the coverage of Contemporary Telugu Poetry). I have paid a visit to the Muse India site and found it excellent. Please accept my sincere congratulations on a job well done.
Rajeshwar Mittapalli, Warangal rajeshwar9@yahoo.com Sep 1, 2008
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