HISTORY OF INDIAN ENGLISH POETRY: AN APPRAISAL

 Book Review: R K Singh

P C K Prem. History of Contemporary Indian English Poetry: An Appraisal. 2 Volumes. New Delhi: AuthorsPress, 2019.

Today there are more poets writing and publishing than readers. Everyone seems to be vying with other in seeking prominence for themselves rather than for others who deserve to be read patiently, explored deeply, and evaluated in a broader perspective. At such a time poet-fictioneer-writer-critic Prem Katoch undertakes the challenging task of writing a History of Contemporary Indian English Poetry. The 2-volume massive appraisal (740+680 pages) is a record and criticism presented with no prejudice except an honest , authentic, and objective appreciation of poets both in the centre and on the margin.

 

The pattern of presentation or the norms of inclusion of the poets is historically positive enough to help future researchers and historians follow a balanced critical perspective than what we have noticed so far. 

 

PCK Prem discusses the works of over 135 male and 50 female poets to highlight the contemporary trends, the native poetic ethos, and the essential secular makeup of the Indian mind as reflected in their works.

 

Prem's intuitive approach, "appraisal and analysis sans prejudices, specific and predetermined notions from various perspectives take one to the conclusion that poetry defines and construes life in totality".

 

Prem accords fresh life to some of the poets whose excellence has been ignored by the mainstream academia professing expertise in Indian English Writing. I would like to mention in particular Maha Nand Sharma, Rachakonda Narasimha Sarma, Srinivas Rangaswami, Keshav Malik, R. Rabindranath Menon, D S Maini, H S Bhatia, VVB Ramarao, R C Shukla, S L Peeran, T V Reddy, R K Bhushan, P K Joy, P Raja, Manas Bakshi, Kanwar Dinesh Singh etc.   I have, however, reservations about certain names as critics, but Prem might not have had access to works of others who have contributed as critics.

 

Kudos to PCK Prem for his large-hearted support and commitment to the cause of Indian English Poetry. 

 

--Professor R K Singh