Ecocriticism and Sustainability

Ecocriticism and Sustainability

Rasa Theory, Literature and Indian Knowledge Systems

von Debarati Bandyopadhyay

The volume offers an interdisciplinary approach to environmental humanities by integrating classical Indian aesthetics with global ecocritical discourse. Drawing on Bharata’s Natyasastra and subsequent interpretations of Rasa Theory, the book explores how aesthetic experience—rooted in emotions and ethical consciousness—can foster ecological thought and practice, through a new ecocritical approach. It juxtaposes Indian concepts of harmony and interconnectedness with Western frameworks, including Charles Darwin’s universality of emotions and Joseph Meeker’s literary ecology, to offer a comparative lens on sustainability.

The volume moves beyond theory to praxis, analyzing canonical texts from Sanskrit drama to modern Indian literature, alongside insights from the Vedas, Upanishads, and Tamil tinai traditions. It demonstrates how rasa-based readings illuminate ecological ethics, resilience, and the urgency of sustainable living. By bridging cultural and temporal divides, the book provides a fresh interpretive model for ecocriticism that resonates globally.

It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in literary studies, cultural theory, environmental humanities, and South Asian studies.

The volume offers an interdisciplinary approach to environmental humanities by integrating classical Indian aesthetics with global ecocritical discourse. Drawing on Bharata’s Natyasastra and subsequent interpretations of Rasa Theory, the book explores how aesthetic experience—rooted in emotions and ethical consciousness—can foster ecological thought and practice, through a new ecocritical approach. It juxtaposes Indian concepts of harmony and interconnectedness with Western frameworks, including Charles Darwin’s universality of emotions and Joseph Meeker’s literary ecology, to offer a comparative lens on sustainability.
The volume moves beyond theory to praxis, analyzing canonical texts from Sanskrit drama to modern Indian literature, alongside insights from the Vedas, Upanishads, and Tamil tinai traditions. It demonstrates how rasa-based readings illuminate ecological ethics, resilience, and the urgency of sustainable living. By bridging cultural and temporal divides, the book provides a fresh interpretive model for ecocriticism that resonates globally.
It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in literary studies, cultural theory, environmental humanities, and South Asian studies.
ed Visiting Scholar at the Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies, Edinburgh Napier University in 2018, with 27+ years of teaching and research experience, based in Santiniketan. She concentrates on the literature and culture of the Long Nineteenth Century, Ecocriticism and New Nature Writing, the Indian Knowledge System and Rabindranath Tagore. Her publications include three monographs on Thomas Hardy, Rabindranath Tagore and Bimal Kar respectively, three books on diverse aspects of Tagore’s work as sole editor and a number of articles and chapters on Ecocriticism and New Nature Writing. She has made academic presentations or delivered invited lectures in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the UK.

Highlights

• Bridges Indian Knowledge Systems with global environmental humanities for a comparative perspective Balances theory and praxis through analysis of texts from Vedas to contemporary literature Offers a unique interdisciplinary framework combining aesthetics, literature, ecology, and ethics for scholars worldwide

Über den Autor

Debarati Bandyopadhyay, Professor and Head, Department of English, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, India has been a two-year Post-Doctoral Fellow (through open national competition) at Rabindranath Tagore Centre for Human Development Studies jointly under Calcutta University and IDSK during 2010-2011, an International Visiting Fellow (through open competition) at Essex University in 2017, Invited Visiting Fellow at the AHRC-funded “Curious Travellers” Project at Glasgow University in 2018 and an Invited Visiting Scholar at the Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies, Edinburgh Napier University in 2018, with 27+ years of teaching and research experience, based in Santiniketan. She concentrates on the literature and culture of the Long Nineteenth Century, Ecocriticism and New Nature Writing, the Indian Knowledge System and Rabindranath Tagore. Her publications include three monographs on Thomas Hardy, Rabindranath Tagore and Bimal Kar respectively, three books on diverse aspects of Tagore’s work as sole editor and a number of articles and chapters on Ecocriticism and New Nature Writing. She has made academic presentations or delivered invited lectures in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the UK.