In this episode of Literary Rides, we examine Nissim Ezekiel—widely regarded as the foundational voice of Indian English modernism. Moving away from romantic nationalism, Ezekiel brought irony, urban realism, and psychological introspection into Indian poetry written in English.

We explore his Jewish-Indian identity, his engagement with post-Independence Bombay, and his role in shaping a new poetic idiom rooted in the city's lived realities. From “Night of the Scorpion” to “The Professor,” his work captures middle-class anxieties, secular doubt, and cultural negotiation with sharp clarity and restraint.

The episode also situates him within the informal literary networks of Bombay’s little magazines and independent presses, alongside contemporaries such as Arun Kolatkar. Designed as a complete study guide for postgraduate students, UGC NET aspirants, researchers, and teachers, this masterclass offers a comprehensive assessment of Ezekiel’s life, works, and lasting placement in Indian English poetry.

A thoughtful journey into the making of Indian modernist voice—urban, ironic, and intellectually disciplined.

What makes English “correct”? Is it grammar, authority, tradition, or power?

In this episode of Literary Rides, we examine how Standard English was historically codified through dictionaries and grammar manuals, often reflecting the speech patterns of social elites. From the prescriptive rules of eighteenth-century grammarians to the modern debates between descriptive linguistics and linguistic gatekeeping, the discussion reveals how language norms are shaped by history and hierarchy.

We explore symbolic power, linguistic capital, global English varieties such as Indian and Nigerian English, and the Plain English movement’s attempt to make public communication more accessible. The episode also considers how digital communication continues to reshape grammatical conventions.

Designed as a comprehensive study guide for postgraduate students, UGC NET aspirants, researchers, and educators, this masterclass clarifies the politics of “correct English” while foregrounding linguistic diversity and social justice.

An essential exploration of how language standards are made—and why they matter.

What does it mean to be human in an age of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and ecological crisis? In this episode of Literary Rides, we explore the philosophical and literary dimensions of posthumanism—a movement that challenges the idea of the human as autonomous, central, and superior.

From cyborg theory and artificial consciousness to ecological interconnectedness and bioengineered futures, contemporary literature imagines worlds in which the boundaries between human, machine, and nature dissolve. These narratives do not merely speculate about technology; they interrogate identity, agency, ethics, and survival in a rapidly transforming world.

Designed as a complete study guide for postgraduate students, UGC NET aspirants, researchers, and teachers, this episode clarifies foundational concepts while examining how fiction becomes a space for philosophical experimentation.

An essential exploration of how literature redefines what it means to exist in a relational, posthuman age.