Delivered an online expert talk on "Rasa Theory, Gender Perspectives, Comparative Literature & Interdisciplinary Approaches" in the Ph.D. Course Work at Children's Research University, Gandhinagar today. It was a mutually pleasant, interactive, and academically rejuvenating experience. I endeavoured to exhibit how literature, when studied through multiple perspectives, becomes a powerful medium for understanding human emotions, social realities, and cultural diversity.
I commenced my talk with
the discussion of Rasa Theory, as articulated in Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra.
Rasa, meaning “essence” explains how literature for that matter any art form evokes
deep emotional responses in readers and audiences. By discussing the nine
Rasas—such as Shringar (love), Karuna (pathos), Veer (heroism), and Shant
(peace)—along with classical and modern examples, scholars were propelled to
see how ancient Indian poetics remains relevant in contemporary literary
analysis. Juxtaposing Aristotle’s concept of catharsis with Rasa Theory highlighted
the universality of aesthetic experience across borders. From Valmiki Ramayana
and Shivtandav Stotra to Rashmirathi,
Bahubali, Ashwini Bhatt, Sunderkand, Mirzapur…. An eclectic range of examples
made the session gripping and convincing.
The session then moved to
a panoramic view of Gender Perspectives and Feminist Literary Criticism,
tracing its journey from the first wave to contemporary intersectional
feminism. Beginning with Elaine Showalter’s phases of women’s writing and
Simone de Beauvoir’s seminal ideas, the discussion examined how literature
reflects and challenges patriarchal structures. Special emphasis was placed on
the role of language in shaping gender identities and power relations. Texts
ranging from A Doll’s House and The Second Sex to works by
Mahasweta Devi, Toni Morrison, Ismat Chughtai, and even those of acclaimed Gujarati
writers Ram Mori and Mahendrasinh Parmar illustrated how feminist concerns have
evolved from silent endurance to assertive self-expression. Using AI generated
infographics was a cherry on the cake.
Another major segment
focused on Comparative Literary Studies, a discipline that studies
literature across languages, nations, and cultures. Tracing its development
from nineteenth-century Europe to modern world literature, the lecture
highlighted the contributions of scholars like René Wellek, Henry Remak, and Rabindranath
Tagore. Comparative literature is not just a method of comparison, but a way of
understanding global creativity and interconnected traditions. Parallels
between the Ramayana and the Iliad, Shakespeare and Indian cinema, Bhakti
traditions, and folk literatures illustrated how literary ideas travel,
transform, and resonate universally.
The theme of “Themes
Across Cultures” further strengthened this global perspective. Universal
human concerns—love, suffering, identity, power, nature, and social
justice—were shown to transcend geographical and historical boundaries. From
classical epics to modern novels and films, literature continues to reflect
shared human experiences while responding to changing social contexts.
A significant part of the
lecture was devoted to Interdisciplinary Approaches, emphasizing that
literature cannot be studied in isolation. By integrating insights from
history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, linguistics, technology, and media
studies, scholars can achieve a more holistic interpretation of texts. Concepts
such as Taine’s “Race, Milieu, and Moment,” forensic linguistics, partition
literature, and pandemic narratives demonstrated how historical and social
forces shape literary production.
The session also
reflected on the advantages and challenges of interdisciplinary research. While
it promotes originality, global relevance, and critical depth, it also demands
rigorous training and intellectual discipline to avoid superficiality. Scholars
were encouraged to cultivate multiple skills and adopt responsible research
practices.
In the concluding
segment, I shared my own academic journey and future research plans,
emphasizing the importance of sustained reading, comparative thinking, and
ethical scholarship. The interactive question-and-answer session further
enriched the dialogue, fuelling the curiosity of the participants.
Overall, the session inspired young researchers to view literature as an inclusive, and socially responsive field. In an age of globalization, digital media, and artificial intelligence, such holistic approaches are essential for keeping literary studies vibrant and relevant.
I must thank my teacher Bhairavi Dixit Ma’am for trusting my potential and giving me this opportunity. A huge THANK YOU is due to my dear students Devarshi Mehta and Neel Patel for their technical assistance
