learning John Keats fine; what about KalidasIJ
There is a belief in the West-centric mindsets of a section of Indians that no school or college education is complete without the student learning the works of William Shakespeare and other eminent English writers. While there is no harm if Indian students are versed in the literature of these authors, it is important that they are fully exposed to the writing of Indian authors who have written in English and other Indian languages. Even a cursory glance at the textbooks of schools and colleges across the country will reveal that Indian language writers have received a raw deal, leaving students with the belief that the best literature has come from the West. After all, how many English language students are as familiar with the works of Munshi Premchand or Vaikom Mohammad Bashir or Gopinath Mohanty or Kalidas as they are with Robert Browning or Oscar WildeIJ Those who wish to relish the vast and deep Indian language literature have to look outside their textbooks. It is in this gloomy background that the decision of the Rajasthan Government to drop from textbooks works of TS Eliot, John Keats, Thomas Hardy and a few others, must be seen. Ideally, of course, the literature of Indian and non-Indian authors, in various languages, should occupy equal space in the libraries, textbooks and minds of the young. Unfortunately, the system as it exists is skewed in favour of English writers from across the oceans. While the banishment of English authors may not be the best idea to correct the flaw, those preparing curricula across the country must shift their emphasis to make Indian students aware of the rich literature that exists within the country. It needs no reiteration that, while language and literature may be two different entities, the promotion of literature leads to a greater awareness on the need to further the cause of dozens of Indian languages.
It would be wrong to interpret a move to popularise Indian literature as an insidious design by a Government to project and promote a misplaced brand of ‘Hindu nationalism' something which the opponents of the Rajasthan Government have begun to do. The nurturing of Indian literature has got nothing to do with ultra-nationalism or a Hindutva agenda. It's strange that any attempt to correct an imbalance as obvious as this should be seen with malice. After all, India and its young generation need to be as proud of their home-grown literature as those other countries are of theirs. Such pride can happen when there is a greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of Indian literary writing. Any bipartisan observer will agree that a great amount of effort is needed in this direction. A start has to be made by first popularising Indian writing in schools and colleges. literary bodies must encourage and promote quality translations to ensure access to students comfortable with one Indian language or the other. And, linguistic chauvinism, which over the decades has dented the cause of Indian literature, must end.