South Asian Expressions: Reimagining Narratives, Histories, and Cultures
South Asian Expressions: Reimagining Narratives, Histories, and Cultures
South Asian literature presents an intricate and layered depiction of the life, history, and identity of the people within their geopolitical spaces of belonging and beyond. These narratives delve into the socio-political complexities, cultural tensions, and resilient identities shaped by colonial legacies and postcolonial realities. Addressing themes such as the impact of British colonialism and the upheavals of national and cultural divisions, this body of literature intricately portrays intersections of gender, caste, religion, and class, capturing the evolving dimensions of South Asian identity.
The rise of South Asian literature in English has brought regional stories to a global audience. However, this linguistic shift has sparked debates about authenticity, representation, and the coexistence of traditional storytelling methods and modern literary expressions. While English serves as a medium to connect with the global readership, regional and vernacular literature continues to reflect indigenous experiences with local nuances, offering alternative perspectives that enrich the literary landscape.
The traumatic experiences of historical ruptures, such as those caused by the division of nations, have profoundly influenced the themes and forms of South Asian literature. These narratives often focus on the human cost of displacement, loss, and the longing for home. Through stories that examine the scars of separation and the resilience of those affected, literature reflects on shared histories and contributes to a collective understanding of identity. The enduring exploration of such themes highlights the importance of memory in shaping individual and community perspectives within the region.
Similarly, the growing mobility of South Asians across the globe has added a transnational dimension to this literature. Themes of migration and cultural duality explore the negotiation of identities in the spaces between tradition and modernity. By addressing experiences of displacement and belonging, more so in the post-Covid era, these narratives start a dialogue afresh about the local and the global, offering insights into the ever-changing dynamics of identity formation.
Contemporary South Asian literature has embraced diverse and pressing issues such as environmental concerns, social justice, and intersectional identities. Writers have engaged with topics like climate change, caste inequities, and gender discrimination, shedding light on enduring societal challenges and imagining pathways for change. The goal is to uncover how these narratives reimagine identity, challenge entrenched hierarchies, and address global and local concerns, ultimately shaping the evolving contours of South Asian literature.
Scholarly articles are invited from faculty members, researchers, and independent scholars for an edited volume with ISBN. Submissions must adhere to MLA 8th edition guidelines, be unpublished, and exclusive during review. Only selected articles will be included in the edited volume.
Sub-themes:
- Political Hegemony and Resistance in South Asian Narratives
- Narratives of the South Asian Diaspora
- Gender, Sexuality, and Intersectionality
- Caste and Social Hierarchy
- Postcolonial Trauma, Memory, and Identity
- Reimagining Myths, Legends, and Oral Traditions
- Indigenous and Regional Literature and Films
- Religious Identity, Pluralism, and Sectarian Tensions
- Children’s Literature and Youth Narratives
- Narratives of Health in South Asia
- Environmental Narratives and Ecocriticism
- Globalization, Capitalism, and Urbanization in South Asia
- Intersections of Literature, History, and Memory in South Asia
- Partition Narratives and Post-Partition Identity
N.B- Submissions are not restricted to the suggested sub-themes; relevant topics beyond them are welcome.
Submission Guidelines:
Articles must be original and unpublished. Submission will imply that it is not being considered for publication elsewhere. All submitted articles will undergo a double-blind peer review process.
Mail an abstract of 250-300 words to southasianlit24@gmail.com Only selected articles will be included in the edited volume.
The articles should not be less than 3000 words.
All submissions should follow the Modern Language Association of America (MLA) style and format (8th ed.).
Page size should be A-4 (8.5 x 11-inches/ 21 x 29.7 cm). All margins (left, right, top, and bottom) should be 1 inch (2.54 cm), including your tables and figures.
Single-space your text and use a single-column layout with both left and right margins justified. Include page numbers but no headers or footers.
All submissions must be in English. Except for common foreign words and phrases, the use of foreign words and phrases should be avoided. Authors should use proper, standard English grammar.
The contributors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce any material, including photographs and illustrations for which they do not hold copyright.
Set the font colour to black. The use of colour in the production of figures, maps, etc., is allowed. However, the print edition of the document will be black & white.
Tables and Figures should appear in the document near where they are referenced in the text. Large tables or figures should be put on pages by themselves. Avoid the use of overly small types. in tables. In no case should tables or figures be in a separate document or file. All tables and figures must fit within 1.5" margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right) in both portrait and landscape view.
Contributors are requested to send the author's 'bio-note' (with official Email ID) in the third person singular number in 50 words.
Any form of canvassing on the part of the contributor is not allowed.
After proper verification, review, and editing (if necessary), an acceptance letter will be sent to the prospective contributors on behalf of the editors of the edited volume.
The submission of the full paper should be accompanied by a Declaration Form to be pasted on the email.
Send your full article to the following Email Id: southasianlit24@gmail.com. For further query, please contact: 7908400383 / 8250636710.
Important Dates:
Last date of submission of abstract: 31st January 2025.
Acceptance of abstract: 10th February 2025.
Last date of submission of full paper: 15th March 2025.
Editors:
Dr. Sanjukta Chatterjee, Associate Professor of English, Raiganj University, West Bengal.
Sougata Sahoo, Faculty, Department of English, Egra S.S.B College, Vidyasagar University, West Bengal.
Surasree Deb Barman, Faculty, Department of English, Birsa Munda College, University of North Bengal, West Bengal.