Vol15N32023 - Page 3

Essencelessness, Lack of Self and the Abject Human Condition: Rethinking Jibanananda Das’s “Bodh”

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Biswarup Das
Department of English, Jamaldaha TDH School, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.13
[Article History: Received: 11 July 2023. Revised: 24 August 2023. Accepted: 25 August 2023. Published: 26 August 2023]
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Abstract

The present article strives to explore the “nausea” that emerges in an individual from the sense of the lack of a priori meaning in the world and the non-existence of the self through the development of the persona’s thoughts in Jibanananda Das’s 1930 poem “Bodh.” The persona is found perturbed by a flummoxing “sense” right at the outset. His striving to comprehend what the sense is about and reflection on the enterprises of his past and the probable future eventually lead him to realize that whatever he encounters around or action he can get involved in is devoid of essence. He also finds the existence of his self unsubstantiated. His realization proves anguishing and alienates him from the rest of humanity by evoking in him feelings of forlornness and life’s absurdity. The whole argument concerning the persona’s development of thought and his final apprehension and agony will be carried out by taking into account Jean-Paul Sartre’s ideas of essencelessness and nausea.

Keywords: Essencelessness, existence, meaning, nausea, self, sense, world.
Citation: Das, Biswarup. 2023. Essencelessness, Lack of Self and the Abject Human Condition: Rethinking Jibanananda Das’s “Bodh”. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.13 

Childbirth and Pollution: Exploring the politics of Prasava Raksha through food practices in Kerala

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Alicia Jacob
Department of English and Cultural Studies at Christ University, Bangalore.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.12
[Article History: Received: 11 July 2023. Revised: 24 August 2023. Accepted: 25 August 2023. Published: 26 August 2023]
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Abstract

Women’s body has been the site of patriarchal control and the formation of gendered ideologies, often subjecting it to multiple cultural interventions, especially while experiencing pregnancy and childbirth. Childbirth is considered a state of ritual pollution for a woman that starts from the day of birth and lasts up to several weeks or months, depending on regional and religious contexts. Prasava Raksha is a traditional practice in Kerala where massages, herbal baths, and a specific diet are prescribed for the health and well-being of the mother and child. Prasava Raksha can be considered the culturally appropriated version of the practice of pollution, practised by women belonging to Hindu, Christian and Muslim religious sects in Kerala. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study is to investigate the cultural context of how women’s body has been subjected to patriarchal control, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth, with food at the centre of analysis. This article aims to explore the practice of Prasava Raksha, its process and dietary prescriptions, to identify and analyse the cultural politics behind this practice that normalises the patriarchal exploitation of reproductive women. The study uses in-depth semi-structured interviews of 12 women from Kerala who have experienced childbirth and practised Prasava Raksha during the postnatal period, in addition to the interviews of a Prasava Raksha helper and an OB-GYN.

Keywords: Prasava Raksha, Childbirth, Pollution Postnatal care, Food practices.
[Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality]
Citation: Jacob, Alicia. 2023. Childbirth and Pollution: Exploring the politics of Prasava Raksha through food practices in Kerala. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.12 

The Interrelation of Art, Science, and Technology from a Cognitive Dimension: Art as a Way of Knowledge and the STEAM Methodology as the Answer

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Beatriz Escribano-Belmar 1, Raquel Caerols-Mateo 2, Reynaldo Thompson 3
1Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Salamanca
2Faculty of Information Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid
3University of Guanajuato, México
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.11
[Article History: Received: 27 December 2022. Revised: 08 August 2023. Accepted: 09 August 2023. Published: 26 August 2023]
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 Abstract

The interrelation between art and science can be understood as a dialogue that emerges from the process of knowledge construction, and consequently, it also defines the human being. The idea may be legitimated from a cognitive perspective. What if we consider this dialogue on the art/science split not as a model of knowing in itself, but as a constructed concept? Thinking as a construct, the advent of technology could have supposed an element to accentuate the divide in this dialogue, as an emerging techno-society may have deepened this separation. However, there is a need to explore the arts -and humanities- trying to find some answers to the challenges posed by the digital paradigm. For this reason, the inclusion of the letter “A” of Arts in the STEM dialogue, resulting in STEAM, is not accidental. From this approach, the entrance of the STEAM methodology into educational models is going to be addressed from the cognitive dimension of art, as a consequence of the conceptual, social, and cultural changes that give it meaning. For that purpose, the issue is addressed through the art cognitive dimension as the theoretical and conceptual foundation supporting it and that leads to the analysis of the named methodology and its contemporary necessity.

Keywords: Art; Science; Technology; Education; Cognition.
[Sustainable Development Goals: Better Education]
Citation: Escribano-Belmar,  Beatriz, Raquel Caerols-Mateo, Reynaldo Thompson. 2023. The Interrelation of Art, Science, and Technology from a Cognitive Dimension: Art as a Way of Knowledge and the STEAM Methodology as the Answer. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.11 

Urban Space for Indonesian Women: Ambiguity in Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (2019) Web Series

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Aidatul Chusna 1, Budi Irawanto 2 & Dian Arymami 3
1,2,3Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.10
[Article History: Received: 31 January 2023. Revised: 16 August 2023. Accepted: 17 August 2023. Published: 26 August 2023.]
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Abstract

The depiction of Indonesian women’s experiences in urban spaces has been little discussed. Do urban spaces provide equal opportunities and access for Indonesian women and men? This paper tries to answer this question. It investigates how Indonesian women experience urban spaces as represented in an Indonesian web series entitled Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (2019). The paper uses the multimodal analysis method. The result of the analysis shows that there is a discrepancy in the portrayal of the female protagonist and of the urban spaces that she experiences. The ambiguity is seen in the depiction of an urban woman who is empowered, but on the other hand, has limited rights in urban spaces. In particular, the female protagonist is portrayed as an independent urban woman who can make her own choices for her future. The depiction is in line with the idealization of a modern woman, which Indonesian women have long dreamt of. However, the female protagonist does not fully enjoy this freedom and independence as there is still gender stratification that regards women as being inferior to men. It is seen in the spaces that she experiences. The patriarchal system that has long dominated Indonesian society confines women’s mobility and existence in the public space.

Keywords: modern woman, ambiguity, urban space, web series.
[Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality]
Citation: Chusna, Aidatul, Budi Irawanto & Dian Arymami. 2023. Urban Space for Indonesian Women: Ambiguity in Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (2019) Web Series. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.10 

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Colour as Symbols in the Select Works of Yann Martel

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377 views

M. Arul Darwin 1 & Arul Anand 2
1,2Department of English, Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Tamil Nadu, India.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.09
[Article History: Received: 11 June 2023. Revised: 08 August 2023. Accepted: 10 August 2023. Published: 20 August 2023.]
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Abstract

Colours can draw an identity to all living things. Natural colours can either calm down or disturb a person’s inner Self. At the times of crisis, it tends to give the individual soul wit and hope. Colours also have alchemical significance and can impact every man’s mind in certain ways. Colour representations have been used by many symbolists throughout literary history from the past to the present. Symbolists point out the importance of symbols in the poems of symbolist poetry. Moreover, the use of colour symbolism in literature contributes to the treasure of literary forms. In Canadian literature, Yann Martel holds a prominent position for his adaption of symbols and uses them to portray the inner quest of his characters. Frequently, his symbolism embodies a deep search for a spiritual quest with a religious component. Colour is one of the most important aspects in deciphering the psyche of his heroes. He has constructed various symbolic interpretations that exhibit the spiritual longing of individuals. Many colours like red, black, white, green, orange, etc have been used as symbolic representations to decode the mind set and religious beliefs. Among them, black and white colours play a vital role in an in-depth portrayal of the leading characters. The religious quest of the characters has been satisfied through the identification of colour representations and ancient relics. They were satisfied at the end. Hence, his works depict that colours have symbolic dramatic elements that naturally novelize the central theme of the search for Self. It also emphasizes the development of the Self with the supremacy of faith in the Almighty God. This paper deciphers the black and white colour symbols in the novels, “Self”, “Life of Pi”, “Beatrice and Virgil”, and “The High Mountains of Portugal” of Yann Martel.

Keywords: Colours, Symbols, Black and White, Yann Martel.
[Sustainable Development Goals: Life on Land]
Citation: Darwin, M. Arul & Arul Anand. 2023. Colour as Symbols in the Select Works of Yann Martel. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.09 

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Types of Code-switching among Young Adults with Bilingualism

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Ruba S 1, Prabhu S 2, Kala Samayan 3
1,2,3 Department of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.08
[Article History: Received: 17 May 2023. Revised: 19 August 2023. Accepted: 19 August 2023. Published: 20 August 2023.]
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Abstract

The present study aimed to analyse and compare various forms of code-switching among adult male and female Tamil-English bilinguals. This research involved thirty bilingual (Tamil and English) adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Each participant was given an updated version of the cookie-theft picture and asked to describe it in Tamil. The various kinds of code-switching, such as tag switching, intra-sentential switching, and inter-sentential switching, were identified through the data analysis. Results indicated that language switching occurs more frequently between phrases and that female participants exhibit code-switching significantly higher than male participants, particularly in tag switching. The study findings can help linguists and speech-language pathologists understand the various types of code-switching employed by Tamil-English bilinguals. However, a larger population needs to be studied for further investigation.

Keywords: Code-switching, Bilingualism, Intra-sentential switching, Inter-sentential switching, Tag switching.
[Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education]
Citation: S, Ruba, Prabhu S, Kala Samayan. 2023. Types of Code-switching among Young Adults with Bilingualism. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.08

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Representing Gandhi: A Study of Mahatma Gandhi as a Character in Selected Novels from Colonial and Post-Colonial Times

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Mainak Gupta
Academic Content Researcher and Writer, Inventive Gentech Solutions, LLP: Kolkata, India
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.07
[Article History: Received: 05 January 2023. Revised: 10 August 2023. Accepted: 15 August 2023. Published: 20 August 2023.]
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Abstract

The 1930s saw the rise of Mahatma Gandhi as the frontline leader of India’s struggle against the British imperialists, and it was also a decade when the Indian novel in English came of age, with the publication of Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable, R.K. Narayan’s Swami and Friends and Raja Rao’s Kanthapura within a few years of each other. The English novel in India grew as a consequence of the English education introduced by the British, and it was used as a weapon against the imperialists by a bunch of young men who were primarily educated abroad, with an aim to use a universal language that addressed all Indians all over the world. Gandhi, unsurprisingly, became a great source of inspiration for these writers. Gandhi has been a subject of literature and other forms of art to this day, but the portrayal of the ‘Great-soul’ (as Tagore called Gandhi) has gone through a change since the pre-independence days. This essay analyses the change in the portrayal of Gandhi by close-reading four novels, Untouchable (1935) and Kanthapura (1938) from the colonised period, and Waiting for the Mahatma (1955) and Dhorai Charit Manas (1950) from the post-independence era. The essay shows how the portrayal of Gandhi and Gandhism went through a change in the novels from the colonial period to post-colonial times, as the reverence and deification of Gandhi that was so prevalent in the novels of the colonial time gave way to a more humane portrayal of the most influential leader of India’s freedom struggle.

Keywords: Mahatma Gandhi; Indian fiction in English; Mulk Raj Anand; Raja Rao; R.K. Narayan; Satinath Bhaduri; Indian freedom struggle
[Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education]
Citation: Gupta, Mainak. 2023. Representing Gandhi: A Study of Mahatma Gandhi as a Character in Selected Novels from Colonial and Post-Colonial Times. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.07

Effects of Dynamic Assessment of Grammatical Structures on Learners’ Speaking Accuracy: The Case of Hawassa University, Ethiopia

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Abayneh Feleke  Managdew 1  & Taye Regassa Seda 2
1,2Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communication, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.06
[Article History: Received: 30 January 2023. Revised: 18 August 2023. Accepted: 19 August 2023. Published: 20 August 2023.]
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Abstract

One of the central problems second language (L2) students face during speaking is the frequent use of ungrammatical structures. Scholars suggest Dynamic assessment (DA), which integrates language instruction and assessment in L2 classrooms, is very helpful in enhancing learners’ speaking accuracy. However, the DA as an L2 instruction/assessment approach and the Weighted Clause Ratio [WCR] as a method of analyzing speaking accuracy has never been addressed in Ethiopia before. Therefore, this research examined the extent of the effects of DA on English language structures during dialogues on learners’ speaking accuracy during monologues. To do so, an experimental study was conducted on 48 second-year English language students of Hawassa University, Ethiopia. The participants took static pretests prepared based on the IELTS Speaking Exam Syllabus. Subsequently, each student’s monologue was transcribed and the grammar accuracy was scored using a Weighted Clause Ratio (WCR). Then, the students (n=48) were assigned to the experimental and control groups based on systematic random sampling, and the equivalence of these two groups was checked.   Finally, the treatment group received DA of speaking skills, whereas the control group got a Non-dynamic assessment (NDA) of speaking skills for 12 weeks. The result showed that DA had a statistically significant effect on students’ oral accuracy. The finding implies that applying DA in ELT classrooms helps to sp facilitate learners’ L2 acquisition.

Keywords: dynamic assessment, non-dynamic assessment, grammatical structures, speaking accuracy, Weighted Clause Ratio (WCR), second language.
[Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education]
Citation: Managdew, Abayneh Feleke & Taye Regassa Seda. 2023. Effects of Dynamic Assessment of Grammatical Structures on Learners’ Speaking Accuracy: The Case of Hawassa University, Ethiopia. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.06

Phonological idiosyncrasies of the Southern Sorsogon dialect in Bulan, Philippines

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390 views

Dominic Bryan S. San Jose 1 & John Gerald A. Pilar 2
1,2University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Philippines
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.05
[Article History: Received: 15 June 2023. Revised: 04 August 2023. Accepted: 09 August 2023. Published: 20 August 2023.]
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Abstract

This research sought to examine the Southern Sorsogon (Sso) dialect’s distinctive phonetic features in Bulan, Philippines. In the urban and rural communities of Bulan in the province of Sorsogon, six native speakers were specifically selected based on the selection criteria. The qualitative text analysis approach used in this study was based on the transcripts of in-person interviews and other contacts between the researchers and native speakers. The Sso dialect’s segmental sounds and phonological characteristics were examined to unravel its phonetic characteristics. Read more>>

Keywords: Bikol, Bikolano, segmental sound, phonological idiosyncrasy, Southern Sorsogon dialect
[Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education]
Citation: Jose, Dominic Bryan S. San, John Gerald A. Pilar. 2023. Phonological idiosyncrasies of the Southern Sorsogon dialect in Bulan, Philippines. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.05 

On the Perceptibility of Motion: An Inquiry from the Indian Philosophical Traditions

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1Manoj Bhandari &2Shruti Krishna Bhat &3Vishwanath Dhital
1Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU), Varanasi.
2Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
3Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU), Varanasi.

Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 15, Issue 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.04
[Article History: Received: 17 June 2023. Revised: 09 August 2023. Accepted: 09 August 2023. Published: 15 August 2023.]
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Abstract

This paper discusses an important issue regarding the concept of motion from the perspective of Indian philosophical traditions. We can recognise two camps in Indian philosophical schools regarding the epistemic means (pramana) through which one cognises motion. Some Indian philosophical schools claim that motion is completely imperceptible and one infers motion by perceiving contact and separation of an object with another object or space. Among these schools, we have considered Patanjali and Ramanuja (the author of Tantrarahasya) as the main advocators of this position. The other group claims that motion is perceptible and we infer motion only when the object possessing the motion is not perceptible. Supporters of this position are mainly the Nyaya-Vaisesika school and Narayanabhatta the author of Manameyodaya.  While summarising and critically analysing these positions, we support the view that motion is perceptible by showing the following: (1) The position that motion is non-perceptible leads to some ontological issues (2) The position that motion is perceptible is more economical and simpler.

Keywords: motion, perception, inference, Nyaya-Vaisasika, Vyakarana, Mimamsa
[Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education]
Citation: Bhandari, Manoj, Shruti Krishna Bhat, Vishwanath Dhital. 2023. On the Perceptibility of Motion: An Inquiry from the Indian Philosophical Traditions. Rupkatha Journal 15:3. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v15n3.04 

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