Call for Book Chapters - Plant Studies in Indian Literature
India
Plant Studies in Indian Literature (Call for book Chapters)
Introduction
Indian literature is a rich and diverse tapestry woven from the threads of countless languages, cultures, traditions, and encompasses a vast array of literary forms, genres, and themes, reflecting the complex tapestry of Indian society, its history, spirituality, and cultural heritage. From the ancient Vedas to contemporary works exploring modern Indian identity, Indian literature offers a window into the soul of a nation characterized by its diversity and complexity. Stretching back thousands of years, Indian literature is marked by its pluralism and inclusivity, drawing inspiration from a wide range of philosophical, religious, and cultural influences. Indian literature has served as a medium for the expression of diverse voices and perspectives, reflecting the myriad experiences of people. Currently, Indian literature occupies a prominent place on the global stage, with Indian writers garnering international acclaim and recognition for their contributions to world literature. Through its diversity, complexity, and depth, Indian literature continues to captivate and inspire readers around the world, inviting them on a timeless journey through the heart and soul of one of the world's ancient and most vibrant civilizations.
Objective
This Call for Proposals (CFP) endeavours to compile a comprehensive and interdisciplinary anthology that delves into the intricate representations of plants and flora across various genres and time periods within Indian Writings in English. This publication seeks to facilitate a nuanced exploration of the profound role played by botanical imagery in shaping the emotional, cultural, and environmental landscapes depicted in Indian literary works. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and critical examination, this project aims to provide fresh insights into the multifaceted relationship between humans and plants, as portrayed in Indian Literature. Through this endeavour, we aim to enrich our understanding of the diverse botanical heritage embedded in Indian literary traditions and its relevance in contemporary discussions surrounding nature, culture, and ecology.
Target Audience
In this Call for Proposals (CFP), the primary focus is on Indian writings in English. We seek contributions from scholars, researchers, and academicians specializing in the analysis of Indian literary works, both classic and contemporary. By delving into the profound interplay between humans and the natural world depicted in Indian literature, this CFP aims to attract individuals passionate about exploring the intricate relationship between plants and the cultural, environmental, and emotional aspects woven into various literary traditions, particularly within the realm of Indian writings in English.
Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Plant metaphors and symbolisms in Indian Writings in English
- Comparative analysis of plant representation across different Indian literary periods
- The ecological and environmental perspectives in Indian literature through plant imagery
Cultural, social, and emotional dimensions of plant representations in Indian literary texts - Plants as objects of allegory, metaphor, or fable in Indian literary contexts
- Depiction of flora in mythological narratives
- Plants as symbols of love, longing, or spirituality in Indian literature
- Representation of plants in Indian folk tales, oral traditions, and folk songs
- Botanical gardens, herbal medicine, and plant cultivation practices depicted in Indian literary texts
- Plants as markers of identity, belonging, or displacement in diasporic Indian literature
- Gendered perspectives on plant imagery and botanical metaphors in Indian literary discourse
Peer Review: All the accepted manuscripts will undergo a double-blind review before publication
Submission Procedure : Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit an abstract of 150 to 250 words with a brief note on the author's bio and contact information (including full name, affiliation, official e-mail address, and mobile number) on or before April 21, 2024. At least one author contributing to the chapter should possess a Ph.D.
Send your abstracts to plantinsangamliterature@gmail.com or jmithariny@gmail.com
Note: There are no submission or publication fees.
Publisher: This book series is associated with Dr. Douglas Vakoch’s ‘Critical Plant Series’ published by Lexington Books, a renowned publisher committed to advancing scholarly research and intellectual discourse across various fields. Lexington Books has established itself as an excellent platform for academics, researchers, and authors to disseminate their work to a global audience. It continues to publish high-quality peer-reviewed monographs and edited collections by established and emerging scholars who contribute to the humanities and social sciences. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit https://rowman.com/lexingtonbooks.
Editorial Advisory Board Members
Jaishmitha Riny R, Research Scholar, Christ Deemed to be University, Bangalore, India.
Prof. Nirmal Selvamony is former founding professor and Head of the department of English Studies, and Dean, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Central University of Tamil Nadu. His major areas of interest, in the last four decades, have been alternative (ti?ai) lifeway, ti?ai studies, tolk?ppiyam, ecocriticism, tami? musicology, poetics, and theory. Among his many endeavours to pioneer the ti?ai movement, some significant ones are the launching of the group called "ti?ai" in 1980 in Chennai, offering the first-ever ecocriticism course (then called "Tamil Poetics") in the Indian university system in the 1980s, and the formulation (in the 1980s) of a theory now known as "putti?ai" (formerly, Oikopoetics).
Dr. A. Edwin Jeevaraj, Associate Professor, Christ Deemed to be University, Bangalore, India.
N. Depak Saravanan, Assistant Professor, Christ Deemed to be University, Bangalore, India.
Jaishmitha Riny R