Indian Epic Tradition

Contents: Acknowledgements. I: 1. Introduction. 2. Genesis of Indian epic poetry. 3. Epics of growth. 4. Epics of art: the Zenith. 5. Epics of intellect. 6. Epics of art: the descent. 7. Historical epics. II: 8. Perspective of nineteenth century Bengal (From forced Amnesia to revival of legacy). 9. Bengali epic genre: Mount of Sisyphus: colonial elites write back. 10. The withering of epic flower: The final count down. Index.

“This book is a scholastic exposition of the multidimensional epic tradition of India which encompasses both the strata of Epics of Growth and Epics of Art. The endless nuances of the epic genre along with its profundity and subtlety have been aptly dealt with. The author has traced the continuum of epic tradition during the dawn of modernity in nineteenth century Bengal. It has been argued forcibly that creative legacy does not wither away unceremoniously even when there is apparent denial of the bygone cultures. The author reaffirms the aesthetic truth that strong art is indeed timeless.” (jacket)