Echoes of Mythology and Folklore in the Poetry of Toru Dutt
Dr. Shital Ghonmode
Department of English
Nutan Adarsh Arts, Comm. & Smt. M. H. Wegad Science College, Umred.
Abstract:-
Indian English poetry represents a unique literary space where indigenous philosophical traditions intersect with the global language of English. Rooted in India’s ancient civilizational heritage, Indian Knowledge Systems encompass spiritual philosophy, ethical thought, metaphysics, aesthetics, and ecological consciousness. Indian English poets have consistently drawn upon these systems to articulate cultural identity, spiritual inquiry, and human experience. Toru Dutt occupies a seminal position in Indo-Anglian literature as one of the earliest Indian poets writing in English to consciously employ Indian myth and folklore. Writing during the colonial period, Dutt used ancient Indian legends not merely as narrative material but as a means of cultural assertion and literary resistance. This paper examines the use of myth and folklore in Toru Dutt’s poetry, particularly in Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan, and analyzes how she reinterprets traditional narratives to explore themes of identity, gender, morality, and nationalism. By blending Indian mythic content with Western poetic forms, Dutt bridges the Eastern and Western literary traditions, establishing a distinct Indian voice in English poetry. Focusing on select poets such as Toru Dutt, the study examines how Indian English poetry serves as a modern conduit for ancient wisdom, enabling the continuity and reinterpretation of Indian Knowledge Systems within a contemporary literary framework. This research paper also explored how Indian Knowledge Systems are reflected in Indian English Poetry through themes, imagery, symbolism, and philosophical concerns.
Keywords: Toru Dutt, Indian mythology, folklore, Indo-Anglian poetry, cultural nationalism, women in myth.
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2601S01V14P077
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