Cultural metaphors are used in intercultural communication to understand the nuances of national ... more Cultural metaphors are used in intercultural communication to understand the nuances of national cultures. The idea of cultural metaphors elaborated by Gannon and Pillai provided a set of standard metaphors for cultures of several nations. In the case of India, two cultural metaphors, namely the ‘Dance of Shiva’ and the ‘Kaleidoscope’, are provided to understand the dynamics of national culture. This article attempts a theoretical understanding of the relevance of ‘cultural metaphors’ in intercultural communication and examines their appropriateness in the case of India. Furthermore, it re-examines the established cultural metaphors for India through the examination of its metonymic features. Finally, suggesting a cultural metaphor distinctly different from that outlined by Gannon and Pillai for India, this article aims to extend the idea to understand the cultural underpinnings of India.
It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the int... more It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the intricacies of the European identity as majority of the work on the process comes from their end. It is also welcome as the Europeans are known to be open to self-criticism and the reflections that are brought out are often genuine and objective. What they miss out however, is a view from outside the “fortress”. The present paper, therefore, intends to look at the European identity from an Indian perspective. An understanding of this identity creation process through the prism of multicultural experience of India would provide interesting insights into the idea and policies of European Union.
The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within Europe... more The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within European Union is a perplexing one, which goes beyond the usual understanding of the domains of the geographical frontiers or cultural ideas encompassing identity. As different approaches to understand European identity evolve, including the supranational thought of building a collective European identity, there are also strong nationalistic forces striving to maintain their respective national identities. However, with time, it appears that the national identities are being threatened, national borders are being eroded, and the changing dynamics of nation states are leading to the emergence of a newer kind of European identity, which is characterized by a state of "a-identity". This paper emphasizes the fluid state of European identity, which changes in accordance with context. The paper seeks to discuss the unstable nature of collective identity of an individual in Europe through Jacques Derrida"s views on deconstruction. It aims at the construction of a perceptive paper based on the notion that the transient character of the contemporary European identity leads toa state of non-identity. The terms "differance" and "traces", propounded by Jacques Derrida are used to grasp the emergence of multiple identities, in the contemporary Europe. The paper explores the possibility of this process subsequently leading to a-identity: a state of absence of the essential identity itself as an identity, which is necessarily a state of fluidity of identity.
The International Journal of Literary Humanities, 2023
Literary texts are used by theorists to examine and explore the social beliefs and assumptions em... more Literary texts are used by theorists to examine and explore the social beliefs and assumptions embedded in societies. The notion of the representative nature of literary texts provides interesting insights into the milieu and culture of the societies from which they emerge. This article examines the representation of values and assumptions in the literary texts of two distinctly diverse societies: Greece and India. The textual analysis of the Greek play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and "The Mother Who Married Her Own Son," an Indian folktale by A. K. Ramanujan, focuses on the representation of faith in divine intervention, orientation to human relationship in different cultures related to the concept of destiny, and the importance of structures as values in the texts. These representations are analyzed using Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's theory of value orientation and Geert Hofstede's theory of cultural dimensions. The article attempts to map these cultural communication theories to the literary representations in the texts and deduces inferences on the validity of cultural representations. The notions of being and becoming as human activity and the idea of uncertainty avoidance as a societal norm are explored in the representations within the literary texts.
Teaching of ‘Tenses’ using Compare and Contrast Approach to Undergraduate Students
Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English, find the Com... more Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English, find the Communicative Approach inadequate as it fails to sensitize learners about English Language Structure. The case of undergraduate students who have studied in non-English medium schools requires a different approach. Compare and Contrast Approach is an attempt to understand the use of tenses in English language by understanding the differences in the usages. Instead of memorizing the rules for the tenses, learners would analyze the differences in the structure and as a result, differences in the meaning. This non- conventional approach to English grammar aims to help learners to understand the language subtleties and use them for proper communication.
It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the int... more It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the intricacies of the European identity as majority of the work on the process comes from their end. It is also welcome as the Europeans are known to be open to self-criticism and the reflections that are brought out are often genuine and objective. What they miss out however, is a view from outside the “fortress”. The present paper, therefore, intends to look at the European identity from an Indian perspective. An understanding of this identity creation process through the prism of multicultural experience of India would provide interesting insights into the idea and policies of European Union.
Learning the Nuances of Written English by fusing the Strategies of Spoken English Learning: An Approach to EFL Students
A number of teaching strategies are used in learning English as a foreign language ( EFL) . Howev... more A number of teaching strategies are used in learning English as a foreign language ( EFL) . However, an effective way of enhancing student’s written English still remains a challenging area particularly in the Indian context. Conventionally, students are taught the rules of language structure and are expected to apply this knowledge in writing on a given topic. In the context of Indian ELT classrooms, which is increasingly oriented towards communicative approach, the breach between the skills in spoken English and ability to express in written English seems to be widening. There is a need to translate the students’ ability to express their ideas in spoken English into effective written form of communication. In this regard, blending the spoken English activities with the written exercises would be an interesting area to explore
The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies, 2020
The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a p... more The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a process of Westernization. The opening of markets combined with a flow of Westernized idea of life is skeptically viewed as Euro-American hegemonic approach to the rest of the world. The conventional response to counter this process through the preservation of cultural tradition and a contested identity has often led to insistence on “moral purity” and preservation of “indigenous values.” However, in the face of inevitable acceptance of a global culture in an era of unlimited flow of information and access to knowledge, the viable response seems to be an acceptance of cultural hybridization. This article tries to capture this trans-cultural dilemma of India among the upper middle class in relation to an attire that is increasingly making its way as a norm—wearing “shorts.” The wearing of shorts by young girls in a traditional setup in India was generally viewed as an embodiment of western modernity and often frowned upon as “vulgar” by the society. Interestingly, the attitude towards this piece of clothing is gradually moving toward deeming it as a mark of “freedom” and “respect” to women in the elite circles. This notion is percolating down through the average middle class and shorts have transformed from “vulgar” to “progressive.” The article attempts to explore the reasons for this transformation of worldview among the middle class families of India and the resultant ambivalence that exists in being compelled to choose shorts as a piece of modernity. Using cultural hybridization as a framework, through a series of interviews among young Indian girls and the people related to them in a small town in India, this article attempts to comprehend the attitude toward the wearing of shorts. It proposes to examine the impact of globalization beyond the conventional perceptions of westernization and opens up newer perspectives of understanding the impact of global culture. The article tries to capture the middle class Indian dilemma in dealing with the changing value system through a representative cultural hybridization in attire.
The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within Europe... more The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within European Union is a perplexing one, which goes beyond the usual understanding of the domains of the geographical frontiers or cultural ideas encompassing identity. As different approaches to understand European identity evolve, including the supranational thought of building a collective European identity, there are also strong nationalistic forces striving to maintain their respective national identities. However, with time, it appears that the national identities are being threatened, national borders are being eroded, and the changing dynamics of nation states are leading to the emergence of a newer kind of European identity, which is characterized by a state of "a-identity". This paper emphasizes the fluid state of European identity, which changes in accordance with context. The paper seeks to discuss the unstable nature of collective identity of an individual in Europe through Jacques Derrida"s views on deconstruction. It aims at the construction of a perceptive paper based on the notion that the transient character of the contemporary European identity leads toa state of non-identity. The terms "differance" and "traces", propounded by Jacques Derrida are used to grasp the emergence of multiple identities, in the contemporary Europe. The paper explores the possibility of this process subsequently leading to a-identity: a state of absence of the essential identity itself as an identity, which is necessarily a state of fluidity of identity.
The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies, 2020
The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a p... more The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a process of Westernization. The opening of markets combined with a flow of Westernized idea of life is skeptically viewed as Euro-American hegemonic approach to the rest of the world. The conventional response to counter this process through the preservation of cultural tradition and a contested identity has often led to insistence on “moral purity” and preservation of “indigenous values.” However, in the face of inevitable acceptance of a global culture in an era of unlimited flow of information and access to knowledge, the viable response seems to be an acceptance of cultural hybridization. This article tries to capture this trans-cultural dilemma of India among the upper middle class in relation to an attire that is increasingly making its way as a norm—wearing “shorts.” The wearing of shorts by young girls in a traditional setup in India was generally viewed as an embodiment of western modernity and often frowned upon as “vulgar” by the society. Interestingly, the attitude towards this piece of clothing is gradually moving toward deeming it as a mark of “freedom” and “respect” to women in the elite circles. This notion is percolating down through the average middle class and shorts have transformed from “vulgar” to “progressive.” The article attempts to explore the reasons for this transformation of worldview among the middle class families of India and the resultant ambivalence that exists in being compelled to choose shorts as a piece of modernity. Using cultural hybridization as a framework, through a series of interviews among young Indian girls and the people related to them in a small town in India, this article attempts to comprehend the attitude toward the wearing of shorts. It proposes to examine the impact of globalization beyond the conventional perceptions of westernization and opens up newer perspectives of understanding the impact of global culture. The article tries to capture the middle class Indian dilemma in dealing with the changing value system through a representative cultural hybridization in attire.
Teaching of ‘Tenses’ using Compare and Contrast Approach to Undergraduate Students
Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English,
find the Com... more Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English, find the Communicative Approach inadequate as it fails to sensitize learners about English Language Structure. The case of undergraduate students who have studied in non-English medium schools requires a different approach. Compare and Contrast Approach is an attempt to understand the use of tenses in English language by understanding the differences in the usages. Instead of memorizing the rules for the tenses, learners would analyze the differences in the structure and as a result, differences in the meaning. This non- conventional approach to English grammar aims to help learners to understand the language subtleties and use them for proper communication.
The cultural makeup of the cosmopolitan cities often subscribe to notions of multiculturalism tha... more The cultural makeup of the cosmopolitan cities often subscribe to notions of multiculturalism that insist on tolerance and celebration of ethno-cultural diversity. The 'Cosmopolitan city' expresses a modern style of urbanity characterized by cultural liveliness and certain sophistication. Cosmopolitans aim to exceed their own local specificities, welcome unfamiliar cultural encounters, and express the wish to move toward a true humanity of equality and respect, free of racial, national and other prejudices. In essence a ‘cosmopolitan city’ is a reinvented notion of modern utopia that provides a free space, unlimited opportunity and importantly freedom to live one’s life as per one’s will. Any instance of disruption to this fabric of life is viewed as a threat to the very notion of the cosmopolitanism. The problems associated with ‘cosmopolitanism’ are often perceived as the result of a void that is inevitably created by the economic disparity and issues of migration. The conflict between the value system of the cosmopolitan elite and the unskilled migrant community is seen as the reasons for the disruption in the harmony of the system. Interestingly, the cities that represent ‘cosmopolitanism’ in India project a complicated amalgamation of features that move beyond the conventional cosmopolitanism and there is a need to recognize the subtler forces working beyond the one-dimensional approach to the cultural tensions. The paper proposes to make an attempt to explore the unique features of the Indian cosmopolitanism that operate on the cultural psyche of the ‘city’ and differs in their orientation to the cosmopolitanism of the other cities. It proposes to analyze the major strains that shape the cultural face of the four individual cosmopolitan cities of India i.e. New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, by analyzing the cultural values and forces that are distinct to the city as against the forces that shape the other cosmopolitan cities. It tries to identify whether the features of Cosmopolitanism as practiced in India are the result of a distinct multiculturalism.
Keywords: Cosmopolitanism, Indian cosmopolitanism, Distinct, Multiculturalism
Aravind Adiga’s novel The White Tiger encapsulates the complexities of identity formation in a mi... more Aravind Adiga’s novel The White Tiger encapsulates the complexities of identity formation in a milieu effected by neo-capitalism. The novel, for many, is about a new identity made available to the hitherto marginalized in the form of opportunities unveiled by market forces. It is also perceived as a registration of the frustration and anger of the deprived that has become conscious of the new possibilities. Understandably, interpreting the novel on these lines leads to the identification of the protagonist Balram as a champion of the marginalized, settling scores with the oppressive system. However, there are far subtler notes in the protagonist’s attitude to these sweeping changes than the simple and one dimensional approach of an achiever who is able to break the “rooster coop” and revel at the reversal of fortune. Neither is it a representative voice of the suppressed class turning the table on its oppressor by using the opportunities offered by the global market. The “notes” of the voices that emerge as Balram, the boy from darkness, moves up the ladder to become Ashok Sharma, the entrepreneur hiding in light, not only lack symphony but also create a distinct dissonance. Clearly, the discord in the changing notes is brought about by the forces that changed the world he lives in-a neo-capitalist world. The whole process of Balram turning into Ashok Sharma is a neocapitalist coup
Cultural metaphors are used in intercultural communication to understand the nuances of national ... more Cultural metaphors are used in intercultural communication to understand the nuances of national cultures. The idea of cultural metaphors elaborated by Gannon and Pillai provided a set of standard metaphors for cultures of several nations. In the case of India, two cultural metaphors, namely the ‘Dance of Shiva’ and the ‘Kaleidoscope’, are provided to understand the dynamics of national culture. This article attempts a theoretical understanding of the relevance of ‘cultural metaphors’ in intercultural communication and examines their appropriateness in the case of India. Furthermore, it re-examines the established cultural metaphors for India through the examination of its metonymic features. Finally, suggesting a cultural metaphor distinctly different from that outlined by Gannon and Pillai for India, this article aims to extend the idea to understand the cultural underpinnings of India.
It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the int... more It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the intricacies of the European identity as majority of the work on the process comes from their end. It is also welcome as the Europeans are known to be open to self-criticism and the reflections that are brought out are often genuine and objective. What they miss out however, is a view from outside the “fortress”. The present paper, therefore, intends to look at the European identity from an Indian perspective. An understanding of this identity creation process through the prism of multicultural experience of India would provide interesting insights into the idea and policies of European Union.
The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within Europe... more The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within European Union is a perplexing one, which goes beyond the usual understanding of the domains of the geographical frontiers or cultural ideas encompassing identity. As different approaches to understand European identity evolve, including the supranational thought of building a collective European identity, there are also strong nationalistic forces striving to maintain their respective national identities. However, with time, it appears that the national identities are being threatened, national borders are being eroded, and the changing dynamics of nation states are leading to the emergence of a newer kind of European identity, which is characterized by a state of "a-identity". This paper emphasizes the fluid state of European identity, which changes in accordance with context. The paper seeks to discuss the unstable nature of collective identity of an individual in Europe through Jacques Derrida"s views on deconstruction. It aims at the construction of a perceptive paper based on the notion that the transient character of the contemporary European identity leads toa state of non-identity. The terms "differance" and "traces", propounded by Jacques Derrida are used to grasp the emergence of multiple identities, in the contemporary Europe. The paper explores the possibility of this process subsequently leading to a-identity: a state of absence of the essential identity itself as an identity, which is necessarily a state of fluidity of identity.
The International Journal of Literary Humanities, 2023
Literary texts are used by theorists to examine and explore the social beliefs and assumptions em... more Literary texts are used by theorists to examine and explore the social beliefs and assumptions embedded in societies. The notion of the representative nature of literary texts provides interesting insights into the milieu and culture of the societies from which they emerge. This article examines the representation of values and assumptions in the literary texts of two distinctly diverse societies: Greece and India. The textual analysis of the Greek play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and "The Mother Who Married Her Own Son," an Indian folktale by A. K. Ramanujan, focuses on the representation of faith in divine intervention, orientation to human relationship in different cultures related to the concept of destiny, and the importance of structures as values in the texts. These representations are analyzed using Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's theory of value orientation and Geert Hofstede's theory of cultural dimensions. The article attempts to map these cultural communication theories to the literary representations in the texts and deduces inferences on the validity of cultural representations. The notions of being and becoming as human activity and the idea of uncertainty avoidance as a societal norm are explored in the representations within the literary texts.
Teaching of ‘Tenses’ using Compare and Contrast Approach to Undergraduate Students
Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English, find the Com... more Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English, find the Communicative Approach inadequate as it fails to sensitize learners about English Language Structure. The case of undergraduate students who have studied in non-English medium schools requires a different approach. Compare and Contrast Approach is an attempt to understand the use of tenses in English language by understanding the differences in the usages. Instead of memorizing the rules for the tenses, learners would analyze the differences in the structure and as a result, differences in the meaning. This non- conventional approach to English grammar aims to help learners to understand the language subtleties and use them for proper communication.
It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the int... more It is natural that the European scholars claim an upper-hand over others in understanding the intricacies of the European identity as majority of the work on the process comes from their end. It is also welcome as the Europeans are known to be open to self-criticism and the reflections that are brought out are often genuine and objective. What they miss out however, is a view from outside the “fortress”. The present paper, therefore, intends to look at the European identity from an Indian perspective. An understanding of this identity creation process through the prism of multicultural experience of India would provide interesting insights into the idea and policies of European Union.
Learning the Nuances of Written English by fusing the Strategies of Spoken English Learning: An Approach to EFL Students
A number of teaching strategies are used in learning English as a foreign language ( EFL) . Howev... more A number of teaching strategies are used in learning English as a foreign language ( EFL) . However, an effective way of enhancing student’s written English still remains a challenging area particularly in the Indian context. Conventionally, students are taught the rules of language structure and are expected to apply this knowledge in writing on a given topic. In the context of Indian ELT classrooms, which is increasingly oriented towards communicative approach, the breach between the skills in spoken English and ability to express in written English seems to be widening. There is a need to translate the students’ ability to express their ideas in spoken English into effective written form of communication. In this regard, blending the spoken English activities with the written exercises would be an interesting area to explore
The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies, 2020
The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a p... more The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a process of Westernization. The opening of markets combined with a flow of Westernized idea of life is skeptically viewed as Euro-American hegemonic approach to the rest of the world. The conventional response to counter this process through the preservation of cultural tradition and a contested identity has often led to insistence on “moral purity” and preservation of “indigenous values.” However, in the face of inevitable acceptance of a global culture in an era of unlimited flow of information and access to knowledge, the viable response seems to be an acceptance of cultural hybridization. This article tries to capture this trans-cultural dilemma of India among the upper middle class in relation to an attire that is increasingly making its way as a norm—wearing “shorts.” The wearing of shorts by young girls in a traditional setup in India was generally viewed as an embodiment of western modernity and often frowned upon as “vulgar” by the society. Interestingly, the attitude towards this piece of clothing is gradually moving toward deeming it as a mark of “freedom” and “respect” to women in the elite circles. This notion is percolating down through the average middle class and shorts have transformed from “vulgar” to “progressive.” The article attempts to explore the reasons for this transformation of worldview among the middle class families of India and the resultant ambivalence that exists in being compelled to choose shorts as a piece of modernity. Using cultural hybridization as a framework, through a series of interviews among young Indian girls and the people related to them in a small town in India, this article attempts to comprehend the attitude toward the wearing of shorts. It proposes to examine the impact of globalization beyond the conventional perceptions of westernization and opens up newer perspectives of understanding the impact of global culture. The article tries to capture the middle class Indian dilemma in dealing with the changing value system through a representative cultural hybridization in attire.
The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within Europe... more The issue of European identity as distinct from the national identity one possesses within European Union is a perplexing one, which goes beyond the usual understanding of the domains of the geographical frontiers or cultural ideas encompassing identity. As different approaches to understand European identity evolve, including the supranational thought of building a collective European identity, there are also strong nationalistic forces striving to maintain their respective national identities. However, with time, it appears that the national identities are being threatened, national borders are being eroded, and the changing dynamics of nation states are leading to the emergence of a newer kind of European identity, which is characterized by a state of "a-identity". This paper emphasizes the fluid state of European identity, which changes in accordance with context. The paper seeks to discuss the unstable nature of collective identity of an individual in Europe through Jacques Derrida"s views on deconstruction. It aims at the construction of a perceptive paper based on the notion that the transient character of the contemporary European identity leads toa state of non-identity. The terms "differance" and "traces", propounded by Jacques Derrida are used to grasp the emergence of multiple identities, in the contemporary Europe. The paper explores the possibility of this process subsequently leading to a-identity: a state of absence of the essential identity itself as an identity, which is necessarily a state of fluidity of identity.
The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies, 2020
The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a p... more The impact of globalization, particularly on developing countries, is often loosely viewed as a process of Westernization. The opening of markets combined with a flow of Westernized idea of life is skeptically viewed as Euro-American hegemonic approach to the rest of the world. The conventional response to counter this process through the preservation of cultural tradition and a contested identity has often led to insistence on “moral purity” and preservation of “indigenous values.” However, in the face of inevitable acceptance of a global culture in an era of unlimited flow of information and access to knowledge, the viable response seems to be an acceptance of cultural hybridization. This article tries to capture this trans-cultural dilemma of India among the upper middle class in relation to an attire that is increasingly making its way as a norm—wearing “shorts.” The wearing of shorts by young girls in a traditional setup in India was generally viewed as an embodiment of western modernity and often frowned upon as “vulgar” by the society. Interestingly, the attitude towards this piece of clothing is gradually moving toward deeming it as a mark of “freedom” and “respect” to women in the elite circles. This notion is percolating down through the average middle class and shorts have transformed from “vulgar” to “progressive.” The article attempts to explore the reasons for this transformation of worldview among the middle class families of India and the resultant ambivalence that exists in being compelled to choose shorts as a piece of modernity. Using cultural hybridization as a framework, through a series of interviews among young Indian girls and the people related to them in a small town in India, this article attempts to comprehend the attitude toward the wearing of shorts. It proposes to examine the impact of globalization beyond the conventional perceptions of westernization and opens up newer perspectives of understanding the impact of global culture. The article tries to capture the middle class Indian dilemma in dealing with the changing value system through a representative cultural hybridization in attire.
Teaching of ‘Tenses’ using Compare and Contrast Approach to Undergraduate Students
Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English,
find the Com... more Most of the English Language learners in India, whose first language is not English, find the Communicative Approach inadequate as it fails to sensitize learners about English Language Structure. The case of undergraduate students who have studied in non-English medium schools requires a different approach. Compare and Contrast Approach is an attempt to understand the use of tenses in English language by understanding the differences in the usages. Instead of memorizing the rules for the tenses, learners would analyze the differences in the structure and as a result, differences in the meaning. This non- conventional approach to English grammar aims to help learners to understand the language subtleties and use them for proper communication.
The cultural makeup of the cosmopolitan cities often subscribe to notions of multiculturalism tha... more The cultural makeup of the cosmopolitan cities often subscribe to notions of multiculturalism that insist on tolerance and celebration of ethno-cultural diversity. The 'Cosmopolitan city' expresses a modern style of urbanity characterized by cultural liveliness and certain sophistication. Cosmopolitans aim to exceed their own local specificities, welcome unfamiliar cultural encounters, and express the wish to move toward a true humanity of equality and respect, free of racial, national and other prejudices. In essence a ‘cosmopolitan city’ is a reinvented notion of modern utopia that provides a free space, unlimited opportunity and importantly freedom to live one’s life as per one’s will. Any instance of disruption to this fabric of life is viewed as a threat to the very notion of the cosmopolitanism. The problems associated with ‘cosmopolitanism’ are often perceived as the result of a void that is inevitably created by the economic disparity and issues of migration. The conflict between the value system of the cosmopolitan elite and the unskilled migrant community is seen as the reasons for the disruption in the harmony of the system. Interestingly, the cities that represent ‘cosmopolitanism’ in India project a complicated amalgamation of features that move beyond the conventional cosmopolitanism and there is a need to recognize the subtler forces working beyond the one-dimensional approach to the cultural tensions. The paper proposes to make an attempt to explore the unique features of the Indian cosmopolitanism that operate on the cultural psyche of the ‘city’ and differs in their orientation to the cosmopolitanism of the other cities. It proposes to analyze the major strains that shape the cultural face of the four individual cosmopolitan cities of India i.e. New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, by analyzing the cultural values and forces that are distinct to the city as against the forces that shape the other cosmopolitan cities. It tries to identify whether the features of Cosmopolitanism as practiced in India are the result of a distinct multiculturalism.
Keywords: Cosmopolitanism, Indian cosmopolitanism, Distinct, Multiculturalism
Aravind Adiga’s novel The White Tiger encapsulates the complexities of identity formation in a mi... more Aravind Adiga’s novel The White Tiger encapsulates the complexities of identity formation in a milieu effected by neo-capitalism. The novel, for many, is about a new identity made available to the hitherto marginalized in the form of opportunities unveiled by market forces. It is also perceived as a registration of the frustration and anger of the deprived that has become conscious of the new possibilities. Understandably, interpreting the novel on these lines leads to the identification of the protagonist Balram as a champion of the marginalized, settling scores with the oppressive system. However, there are far subtler notes in the protagonist’s attitude to these sweeping changes than the simple and one dimensional approach of an achiever who is able to break the “rooster coop” and revel at the reversal of fortune. Neither is it a representative voice of the suppressed class turning the table on its oppressor by using the opportunities offered by the global market. The “notes” of the voices that emerge as Balram, the boy from darkness, moves up the ladder to become Ashok Sharma, the entrepreneur hiding in light, not only lack symphony but also create a distinct dissonance. Clearly, the discord in the changing notes is brought about by the forces that changed the world he lives in-a neo-capitalist world. The whole process of Balram turning into Ashok Sharma is a neocapitalist coup
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Papers by Praveen Shetty
find the Communicative Approach inadequate as it fails to sensitize learners about
English Language Structure. The case of undergraduate students who have studied in
non-English medium schools requires a different approach. Compare and Contrast
Approach is an attempt to understand the use of tenses in English language by
understanding the differences in the usages. Instead of memorizing the rules for the
tenses, learners would analyze the differences in the structure and as a result,
differences in the meaning. This non- conventional approach to English grammar aims
to help learners to understand the language subtleties and use them for proper
communication.
Keywords: Cosmopolitanism, Indian cosmopolitanism, Distinct, Multiculturalism
find the Communicative Approach inadequate as it fails to sensitize learners about
English Language Structure. The case of undergraduate students who have studied in
non-English medium schools requires a different approach. Compare and Contrast
Approach is an attempt to understand the use of tenses in English language by
understanding the differences in the usages. Instead of memorizing the rules for the
tenses, learners would analyze the differences in the structure and as a result,
differences in the meaning. This non- conventional approach to English grammar aims
to help learners to understand the language subtleties and use them for proper
communication.
Keywords: Cosmopolitanism, Indian cosmopolitanism, Distinct, Multiculturalism