15.2.24

Zero (Poems)

 

Poems by

R.M. Prabhulinga Shastry





ISBN 978-93-91984-81-6

pp.: 184

Price: Rs. 500.00


R.M. Prabhulinga Shastry is a bilingual versatile, prolific writer, who has produced books of poetry, drama, novel,  short stories and essays and translations from Sanskrit into English and from English into Telugu. His poems in English express his experiences of the philosophical thought of Advaita Vedanta. His poetry is spiritual-cum-philosophical in nature. The very title of the Book “Zero” attempts to point to the phenomenon of Absolute Truth, Nothingness, the Wholeness. It demands the courage to surrender oneself, the courage to annihilate pride, the courage to become a void. He who is willing to disappear attains fulfillment and he who is willing to die achieves life.



14.2.24

Cultural Conflict in the Plays of Eugene O’Neill

 

by

Ruchi Agarwal





ISBN 978-93-91984-95-3

pp.: 144

Price: Rs. 400.00


also available at amazon.in 

Eugene O’Neill’s plays often explore the complexities of cultural conflicts, portraying the clashes between different social classes, ethnicities and personal values. He presented characters of different races like Negro, Swedish, Irish etc. with remarkable workmanship. His characters grapple with issues of identity, belongingness and the tensions arising from different cultural backgrounds. Whether it’s the struggles of an Irish-American family in Long Days Journey into Night or the clash between tradition and modernity in The Hairy Ape, O’Neill’s work delves deeply into the struggles of individuals caught in the throes of cultural conflict. The present work attempts to highlight, how Eugene O’Neill treated racial and cultural conflict to produce such ever time great and classic tragedies.

Dr. Ruchi Agarwal is an Assistant Professor in English, Sahu Ram Swaroop Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. She completed her research on American Dramatist Eugene O'Neill in 2005. Her research papers and articles on Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, V.S. Naipaul, Nayantara Sahgal, etc. are published in journals and books. Her area of interest is Indian English Literature and modern British Literature.


CONTENTS:

Introduction

Race Relationship As A Source of Tragedy

Negro Versus White

Irish Versus White

Technique and Workmanship

Conclusion

Appendix: Marginalization in American Society with special reference to Eugene O’Neill’s Major Black Characters

Bibliography

13.2.24

A Study of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD

by

R.K. Jha





ISBN 978-93-91984-71-7

pp.: 112

Price: Rs. 150.00


also available at amazon.in 


CONTENTS:


GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ: LIFE AND WORKS


GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ: THE PRACTITIONER OF HYBRID LITERATURE 


STORY IN BRIEF OF THE NOVELLA—CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD


SUMMARY OF THE NOVELLA—CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD


PROMINENT CHARACTERS OF THE NOVELLA— CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD


STYLE, TECHNIQUE AND ART OF CHARACTERIZATION IN THE NOVELLA— CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLDalso available at amazon.in

Select University Questions

 

2.12.23

A Survey of Indian English POETRY

 


SECOND REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION


by

Satish Kumar


ISBN 978-93-91984-79-3

Price: Rs. 825.00

pp.: 456


also available at amazon.in


Satish Kumar’s A Survey of Indian English Literature (Poetry) to me appears the first book on poetry that can safely boast of nearly a satisfactory survey of Indian English Poetry…… It has gone into reprints several times. Kumar is modest and understands flaws before taking up the subject of this nature. He says, “Indian English Poetry has attained both fecundity and excellence of craftsmanship. It represents various phases of the development of our multitudinous cultural and national life right from the nineteenth century to the mid- nineties of the twentieth century … It is dynamic and growing literature to which new additions are being made every day. Its future is immense.” …

—P.C.K. Prem, History of Contemporary Indian English Literature, Vol.I, 2019, 671-673


The present work is both comprehensive and lucid and is clearly a reflection of considerable scholarship and painstaking meticulousness …… In his assessment, the author has covered all aspects of a poet’s work—the diction, style, craftsmanship, content and feelings. … On the whole an excellent work. The book is worth reading.

—R.P. Singh, University News, Vol.39, No 46, November 2001. 


A Survey of Indian English Poetry is part of a 4 volume reference work on Indian English literature that Satish Kumar has written to highlight the achievements of Indian authors of poetry, prose, drama and novel. The book is a comprehensive presentation of the dynamic growth of Indian English poetry since the beginning of the nineteenth century. …. Satish Kumar’s Survey is indeed focused on “the variety, fecundity, and vitality of Post-Independence Indian English  poetry”.

—R.K. Singh, Indian Book Chronicle, October,  2001


You have rendered a great service to Indian Literature by continuing and developing the great process of history writing which Professor K.R. Sriniwas Iyengar began with his Indian Writing in English. You four great works fulfill a long felt need by making the history of Indian English Literature up-to-date.

—Maha Nand Sharma, Letter to the writer, 12.09.2004


A Survey of Indian English Poetry, revised and enlarged edition, is a comprehensive and updated account of the evolution of Indian poetry in English since the beginning of the nineteenth century to the twenties of 21st century. Various national, social, cultural and literary movements, which have impacted the representative poets, have been discussed in detail and in lucid and clear style. It is an authentic critical compendium on poets from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present day. What distinguishes it is the inclusion of eminent modern and contemporary poets. It contains separate chapters on women poets who have rebelled against patriarchy, sex discrimination and have asserted their basic human right of equality with men in all spheres of national and social life. As a reference book it stands next to K.R.S. Iyengar’s epoch making book Indian Writing in English.

Prof. Satish Kumar, formerly in U.P. Government Higher Education Service, is a distinguished critic and researcher on Indian English literature, his area of specialization for over five decades. He has contributed over thirty research papers and many articles to journals of repute with presentation of the same in seminars, conferences and workshops. He has the distinction of his biography included in edition two of Five Thousand Personalities of the World, published by A. B. I., North Carolina, U.S A. He has the credit of guiding twelve scholars for the award of the degree of Ph.D. He has commendably authored over two dozens books on literature including Sarojini Naidu: The Poetess, Toru Dutt: The Poetess, Literary Explorations, Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali : A Study, Mahatma Gandhi’s My Experiments with Truth: A Study, A Survey of Indian English Poetry, A Survey of Indian English Prose, A Survey of Indian English Drama  and A Survey of Indian English Novel which drew the appreciation of Mulkraj Anand. His doctoral thesis Edgar Allan Poe: Style and Structure of His Short Stories and Humanism in Action: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam have been documented with the Library of Congress,  U. S.A.


List of Contents:

The Beginning 
The Great Pioneers
Saint Poets
Toru Dutt
The Era of National Awakening
Rabindranath Tagore
Sarojini Naidu 
Aurobindo
Sri Paramhans Yoganand
H.N. Chattopadhyaya
The Pondicherry School of Poetry
The New Poetry/Post-Independence Poetry 
Krishana Srinivas
Mahanand Sharma 
Nissim Ezekiel
Shiva K. Kumar
Jayant Mahapatra 
A.K. Ramajujan & P. Lal
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam & Arun Kolatkar
O.P. Bhatnagar, I.K. Sharma & Baldev Mirza 
R. Parthasarthy, K.D. Katrak, I.H. Rizvi
K.N. Daruwalla  
Dom Moraes, Dilip Chitre, Gieve Patel, Adil Jussawala, & Other Poets 
Women Poets
Kamala Das
Contemporary  Indian English Poetry
Gopal Honalgere, Syed Ameeruddin, Saleem Peeradina  & P.C.K. Prem
Hoshang Merchant, Arvind Krishan Mehrotra  and Vijai Vishal  
D.C. Chambial & R.K. Singh 
Bibhu Padhi,Vikram Seth  and Ravi Rangnathan
Niranjan Mohanty  & K.V. Dominic
Saroj Padhi, C.L. Khatri, Vihang A. Naik & Other Poets 
Contemporary Women Poets
Sujata Bhatt, Mamang Dai, Anjum Hasan, Arundhati Subramaniam, Tishani Doshi, Meena Kandasamy & Other Poets
Postscript
Select Bibliography


The first edition of A Survey of Indian English Poetry appeared in 2001. During the intervening period Indian poetry in English has taken long strides. The transformational socio- economic and political changes have impacted the thematic content of poetry. New poetic techniques, linguistic and stylistic devices were evolved to express the changing national ethos. The urban poetry of Ezekiel, Shiva K. Kumar, Arun Kolatkar, Dilip Chitre and others was on the wane and new poets –O.P.Bhatnagar, I.K. Sharma, D.C Chambial, R.K. Singh, P.C.K. Prem, Bibhu Padhi, Niranjan Mohanty, K.V.Dominic, Saroj Padhi, C.L.Khatri, Vihang Nayak,who emerged on the poetical horizon, are concerned with the evils of rapid urbanization and they evince keen interest in semi-urban and even in rural background. Irrecoverable damage to ecology and ever increasing environmental pollution seriously concern all these poets. They emphasize on the need of forestation, rejuvenation of nature and restoration of intimate contact between man and nature. Poetry is really an intuitive experience which the new poets, endowed with poetic talent and fecundity of imagination, and penetrating insight into the multitudinous variety of life around them, could express in new poetic idiom and innovative linguistic and stylistic devices. Poetry is dynamic, not static. It is an authentic expression of changing national ethos and sensibility which subsumes racial memories and eternal cultural verities. …

… This revised and updated edition includes multidimensional evolution of modern and cotemporary Indian English poetry and contains an exhaustive critical appraisal of the stalwarts’ contribution to contemporary poetry. An attempt has been made to bring to light many unexplored aspects of contemporary Indian English poetry.

What distresses me most is the mushroom growth of poetry. Poetasters, who stigmatize “poetry”, are found everywhere. They have formed poetry societies, which organize poetry conferences in which such pseudo poets recite their verses, get awards and commendations. All this is done on give and take basis. Self financed anthologies are published to promote mushroom poetry. With all humility I have to state that I have endeavoured to discard all such poetasters. An objective and dispassionate critic’s prime concern is how to make poetry safe from wild mushroom growth. After all, grain has to be separated from husk.     

It is impossible to encompass all poets in a book. A dynamic and growing literature to which new additions are made every day cannot be circumscribed in a book.

I am sure that researchers, teachers, students and readers will find the updated edition useful. …

— from the “Preface to the Second Edition”


Of Allied Interest:

A Survey of Indian English PROSE
A Survey of Indian English DRAMA
A Survey of Indian English NOVEL

9.11.23

Critical Thinking and Creative Writing: The Art of Wordsmithing

 

by

Ashish Kumar Gupta




ISBN 978-93-91984-38-0

Price: Rs. 225.00

pp. : 168


also available at amazon.in


In accordance with the recommended syllabi of NEP 2020


The book, Critical Thinking and Creative Writing: The Art of Wordsmithing, is an essential guide for enhancing critical thinking skills and unleashing creative writing potential. This comprehensive volume seamlessly blends the principles of critical thinking with the power of creative writing tools, unlocking the potential for eloquent expression and persuasive argumentation. From analyzing complex ideas to crafting compelling narratives, this book equips readers with the skills necessary to navigate the realms of academia, professional discourse, and personal growth. Through thought-provoking exercises, insightful examples, and practical tips, readers will sharpen their critical thinking abilities, expand their creative horizons, and transform words into works of art.

Dr. Ashish Kumar Gupta is an Assistant Professor of English at Government Post-Graduate College Rudrapur, U. S. Nagar, Uttarakhand, India. He has NET qualification and holds a D.Phil degree in English Literature from the Central University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. His areas of specialization include social issues, queer studies, gender studies, diaspora, and multiculturalism. He has edited eleven books, including The Third Gender: Stain and Pain, Quintessence of Dalit Literature: Rebel Narratives, Glass Ceiling and Ambivalent Sexism: Critical Perspectives of Gender Trouble (Volume One and Volume Two), Kinnar: Hashiye Ka Jeewan, Art and Aesthetics of Modern Mythopoeia: Literatures, Myths, and Revisionism (Volume One and Volume Two), Suffocating Voices of LGBTQ: Socio-Literary Perspectives, Diaspora Literature: Identity Beyond Borders, Introduction to English Prose: Texts and Contexts and an anthology of poems titled Heart Upon Sleeve. Dr. Gupta has more than 30 research papers to his credit and serves as an honorary peer-reviewer for the journal International Research Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literary Studies based in Thailand.

Contents include—

1. Critical Thinking
Definition of Critical Thinking; Nature of Critical Thinking; Concept of Critical Thinking; Process of Critical Thinking; Challenges and Barriers to Critical Thinking; Strategies for Enhancing Critical Thinking; Importance of Critical Thinking in Education; Ways to Improve Critical Thinking Skills; Importance of critical thinking; Benefits of critical thinking; Important Questions for Comprehension

2. Creativity and Innovation
The Creative Process; Techniques of Creativity; Importance of Creativity and Innovation; Barriers to Creativity and Innovation; Important Questions for Comprehension

3. Creative Writing
Types of Writing; Expository Writing; Types of Expository Writing; Examples of Expository Writing; Descriptive Writing; Persuasive Writing; Techniques of Persuasive Writing; Narrative Writing; Elements of Narrative Writing; Examples of Narrative Writing; Tips for Writing Narrative; Final Thoughts; Characteristics of Good Writing; Important Questions for Comprehension

4. Art and Craft of Writing
The Fundamentals of Writing; Examples of Great Writing; Prose Rhythm; Why is Prose Rhythm Important?; How to Improve Your Prose Rhythm; Examples of Prose Rhythm; The Science of Rhetoric in Writing; The Three Pillars of Rhetoric; The Power of Rhetorical Devices; Examples of Rhetoric in Writing; Style and Diction; Understanding Style and Diction; Examples of Effective and Ineffective Writing Styles; Improving Your Writing Style and Diction; Simplicity and Ornamentation: A Study of Writing Styles; Simplicity in Writing; Ornamentation in Writing; The Pros and Cons of Simplicity and Ornamentation; Examples of Simplicity and Ornamentation in Writing; Figurative Language in Writing: An Exploration with Examples; What is Figurative Language?; How to Use Figurative Language in Writing; Other Types of Figurative Language; Examples of Figurative Language in Writing; Imagery; What is Imagery?; Why Use Imagery in Writing?; Examples of Imagery in Writing; Tips for Using Imagery in Writing; Sensory Details; Why are Sensory Details Important in Creative Writing?; How to Incorporate Sensory Details in Creative Writing; Common Mistakes to Avoid; Rhyme; Why Use Rhyme?; Finding Inspiration for Rhymes; Using Rhyme in Poetry; Using Rhyme in Prose; Rhyme and Narrative; Tips for Using Rhyme Effectively; Repetition; The Power of Repetition; Types of Repetition; Using Repetition in Your Writing; Metre; What is Metre in Poetry?; Types of Metre in Poetry; Examples of Metre in Poetry; Essential Elements in Writing; Theme; How to Identify Theme; Examples of Theme in Literature; Point of View; What is Point of View?; Types of Point of View; Examples of Point of View in Literature; Politics; Social Media; Advertising; Plot; What is a Plot?; Elements of a Great Plot; Examples of Great Plots; Character; What Makes a Memorable Character?; Examples of Memorable Characters; Setting; The Importance of Setting; Examples of Setting; Narrative Technique; Artistic and Creative Evaluation of the Poem “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth; Artistic and Creative analysis of the Short Story “The Barber’s Trade Union” by Mulk Raj Anand; Important Questions for Comprehension

5. Modes of Creative Writing
How to Write a Short Story; What is a Short Story?; Examples of Short Stories; How to Write a Poem; How to Write an Essay; Examples of Essays; How to Write a Novel; How to Write Book Reviews; What is a Book Review?; Examples of Book Reviews; Preparing for Publication; Important Questions for Comprehension

6. Writing for the Media
What is Print Media?; Understanding Your Audience; Choosing Your Topic; Crafting Your Headline; Structuring Your Piece; Incorporating Analogies and Metaphors; Using Rhetorical Questions; Including Random Facts and Anecdotes; Proofreading and Editing; Basics of Writing Feature Articles; What is a Feature Article?; Structure of a Feature Article; Tips for Writing Engaging Content; Basics of Writing for Cyber Media; What is Cyber Media?; Writing for Cyber Media; Types of Social Media; Basics of Writing for Social Media; Why Writing for Social Media is Important; Tips for Writing for Social Media; Examples of Effective Social Media Writing; Online Journalism; The Advantages of Online Journalism; The Challenges of Online Journalism; Examples of Online Journalism from Abroad; Examples of Online Journalism in India; The Future of Online Journalism; Media Review; Why is Media Review Important?; How to Conduct Media Review; The Benefits of Media Review; Media Review: Film; Media Review: Theatre; The Elements of a Theatre Review; Writing the Review; Media Review: TV Serials; Writing for Print Media: Magazines and Newspapers; Important Questions for Comprehension

Evaluate Yourself
MCQs With Answers; Short Questions with Answers
Suggested Readings

A Comprehensive Resource Book of FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH

 

by

Gajendra Dutt Sharma



ISBN 978-93-91984-39-7

Price: Rs. 300.00

pp. : 232


also available at amazon.in


In accordance with the recommended syllabi of NEP 2020

A Comprehensive Resource Book of Functional English carries a rich treasure of diverse knowledge and understanding-oriented explanation of various topics dealt with. It has endeavoured to encompass the various skills of Functional English (as vocational subject) as prescribed in NEP 2020. The entire book is divided into four units pertaining to four language skills— listening, speaking, reading and writing. It concisely elucidates the language concepts, theoretical aspects of language skills, and format-related concerns of writing forms. Along with a comprehensive explanation of various methods to learn language skills, the book is packed with appropriate examples to support the explanation. The book is not just about theory of Functional English and related skills, it presents a large number of exercises for practice also. Moreover, it caters to the need of not just undergraduate students for vocational subject, it sufficiently fulfils the requirements of all the learners of any stream or any class, or even the common non-academic people who want to sharpen their language skills, and develop the competencies in English language.


Dr Gajendra Dutt Sharma is an Assistant Professor of English, at Bareilly College, Bareilly, Affiliated to MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. He secured 6th rank in the recruitment exam (Advt. No. 47) conducted by UPHESC. He was awarded PhD in English in 2013, and qualified NET in 2014. He also qualified various central and state level recruitment exams, such as UP-TGT and PGT (2013), UP-TGT and PGT (2015) with final selection-4th rank, NVS-PGT (2015) final selection, and Lecturer DIET screening exam conducted by UPPSC. Besides, he has also qualified the screening exam of GDC conducted by UPPSC, recruitment exam of Assistant Professor conducted by Haryana Public Service Commission, and recruitment exam of Assistant Professor conducted by Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission. He is also running a YouTube channel called "ENGLIT", which has more than 18,000 subscribers and more than 160 videos covering various topics of grammar and English literature. His first book is Ocean of Literature: A Comprehensive Resource Book for TGT English. Besides, he has written more than ten research papers in various international journals.


Contents include—

Functional English

    Objectives of NEP 2020

    Language Skills


Unit I 

Listening Comprehension

    Listening Models

    Processing of listening

    Listening Types

Basic Skills of Listening Comprehension

    Body Language in Listening

    Barriers to Effective Listening

    Avoiding Barriers in Listening

    Streamlining of Sound Shapes

    Recognising Word Stress and Sentence Stress

    Listening Practice

    Works and Websites Referred To


Unit II 

Developing Conversational Ability and Improving Speaking Skills

Greetings and Introduction

    Pre-requisites of Greetings and Introductions

    Greetings in Passing

    Greetings in Conversation

    Greetings to Avoid

    Introduction

Breaking the Ice

    Participating in Small Talks in English

    I Step: Starting the Conversation

    II Step: Continuing the Conversation

    III Step: Closing the Conversation

Bidding Goodbye

Talking on the Telephone

    Important Tips to Ease Telephonic Conversation

    Telephone Vocabulary

    Telephone Language

    Sample Phone Conversation in English

Socialising

    Important Tips to Socialise

    Socialising in Different Contexts

    Expressing Gratitude or Thanks

    Expressing Likes

    Expressing Dislikes

    Neither Liking nor Disliking Something

    Expressing Opinions

    Complimenting

    Congratulating

    Saying Sorry or Apologising

    Common Topics for Speaking Practice

    Works and Websites Referred To


Unit III

What is Reading?

    Act of Reading (three models)

    Levels of Comprehension

    Basic Skills Required for Mature Reading

Types and Strategies of Reading Comprehension

    Applied Reading

    Applied Reading Strategies

    Skimming

    Scanning

    Making Inferences

    Recognising Pattern in Reading

    Identifying Main Ideas and Supporting Details of  a Passage

    Summarising

    Paraphrasing

    Active Reading

    Active Reading Strategies

    Using Text Structure

    Transitions and Developing Relationship 

    Between Ideas

    Identifying Transitions between Paragraphs and Sections

    Types of Transitions

    Critical Reading

    Critical Reading Strategies

    Previewing

    Annotating

    Analysing

    Contextualising or interpreting

    Evaluating author’s purpose

    Differentiating fact and opinion

    Reading Comprehension Passage in Examination

    Sample Comprehension Passages (With Answers)

    Passages for Practice (Without Answers)


Unit  IV

What is Writing?

    Purpose of Writing

    Stages of Writing

    Perspective or Point of View

    Mechanics of Writings

    Important Skills for Writing

    Formal Language

Forms of Writing

    Paragraph Writing

    Headlines and Titles

    Academic Writing

    Exam Essay (answer) Writing

    Writing Argumentative Essay

    Writing (online) Articles

    Report Writing

    Classified Advertisement

    Profile Writing

    Sample Sentences for Personal Profile

Social Media and Texts

Writing Product Description

    Tips for Good Product Description

Email Writing

    Elements of an email

Letter Writing

    Formal Letter

    Types of Formal Letters

    Parts of Formal Letter

    General format of formal letter:

    Letter to the Editor

    Cover Letters or Job Application

    Resumé or Curriculum Vitae

    Reference or Recommendation Letter

    Invitations and Replies

    Business Letters

    Letter of Complaint

    Bank/ Post Office Correspondence

    Application Writing

    Informal Letter

Official Correspondence

    Circular

    Memorandum (Memo)

    Notice or Notification

    Press Release


Practice Questions

Works and Websites Referred To


REVIEW of this book

12.9.23

A Study of Eugene Ionesco's RHINOCEROS

by

R.K. Jha





ISBN 978-93-91984-43-4

pp.: 120

Price: Rs. 150.00


also available at amazon.in 


CONTENTS:

Eugene Ionesco – Life and Works

The Political Manoeuvring of Ionesco’s Creative Journey

The Story in Brief : Rhinoceros

Summary of the Play: Rhinoceros

Theme of the Play

Berenger – The Formidable Hero

Minor Characters of the Play

Style, Technique and Art of Characterisation in the play: Rhinoceros

Explanations

Select University Questions