An Eco-Critical Approach; A Study of Select North East Indian Poets

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The study of ecology has gained immense popularity in the recent years as people have become more concerned about the deteriorating environment and eco-system. Thus, in the field of literature, a new approach, Ecocriticism which mainly deals with a critical reading of literary texts in relation to environment, nature and literature, has come forward. As the basic definition suggests that ecocriticism studies the 'relationship between literature and environment'. The paper tries to delve into this issue with specific references to the poetry of the Northeast India. Poetry of the North East India is always marked by a unique presence of nature whether in the form of a simple backdrop scenery but more often as spirits and souls, playing an active role in the artistic creation. One of the reasons for this indulgence could be perhaps the close proximity that the people share with nature. Before the advent of Christianity, Hinduism and other religions, animism and nature worship formed an integral part of the lives of NE people which led to the poets of the region becoming more aware of the immediate ecological surrounding.

Poetry of the North East India is always marked by a unique presence of nature whether in the form of a simple backdrop scenery but more often as spirits and souls, playing an active role in the artistic creation. One of the reasons for this indulgence could be perhaps the close proximity that the people share with nature. Before the advent of Christianity, Hinduism and other religions, animism and nature worship formed an integral part of the lives of NE people which led to the poets of the region becoming more aware of the immediate ecological surrounding.

Indian English poetry from Northeastern part of India ...

... middle of paper ...

...he Waves,Poknapham Publication, 1995, Imphal

Chandra, N.D.R. Das Nigamananda, Ecology, Myth and Mystery – Contemporary Poetry in English from Northeast India, Sarup & Sons, 2007, New Delhi

Singh, L Damodar, Aspects of Manipuri Literature, Writers' Forum, 2008, Imphal

Barry, Peter, Beginning Theory – An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, Viva Books, 2008,reprint 2010, New Delhi

Ed Misra, Tilottoma, The Oxford Anthology of Writings from North-East India-Poetry and Essays,Oxford University Press, 2011, New Delhi

Garrard, Greg, Ecocriticism-The Critical Idiom, Routledge Taylor and Francis Group,2013

Nayar, Pramod,K, Contemporary Literary and Cultural Theory- From Structuralism to Ecocriticism, Pearson,2010,fifth edition 2013, New Delhi

Websites;

www.asle.org

http://womenjusticeecology.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/dr-vandana-shiva-and-feminist-theory/

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