Alok Mishra Successfully Defends Doctoral Thesis on Indianness in Indian English Poetry at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara
Nalanda, Bihar – June 27, 2025
In an event that drew the attention of the literary and academic community, Alok Mishra—acclaimed poet, renowned literary critic, and founder of platforms such as English Literature Edyucation, The Indian Authors, Ashvamegh, and English Literature Forum—successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled “In Search of Roots: Indianness in Indian English Poetry” at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), Nalanda. The viva voce, held on June 27, 2025, marks a significant milestone in Mishra’s career as a writer and scholar deeply engaged in the study of Indian literary traditions within the framework of English-language expression.
The Academic Assembly
The thesis defence was presided over by a distinguished panel of academicians. The invited expert, Professor Jai Shankar Jha, an eminent scholar of English Literature from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, conducted the external examination. The panel also included several notable academicians: retired Professor Dr Swarna Prabhat, former Head of the Department of English Literature at Nalanda College, Biharsharif; Professor Shrikant Singh, the current Head of the Department of English at NNM and also the research supervisor of Alok Mishra; Professor Hare Krishna Tiwary, Head of the Department of Hindi; Professor Ruby Kumari, Head of the Department of Sanskrit; Dr Shishim Dubey, Professor of Philosophy; Dr Vijay Karn, Professor in the Department of Sanskrit; and numerous other scholars and faculty members of the university.
The session began promptly at 12:45 p.m. in one of the university’s main conference halls. With an audience comprising professors, research scholars, and students, the atmosphere reflected solemn academic engagement. The proceedings began with formal introductory remarks delivered by Professor Shrikant Singh, who welcomed the dignitaries and introduced the external expert and guest of honour, Professor Jha, as well as the research scholar, Alok Mishra.
An Intellectually Enriching Discourse
The thesis defence commenced with Professor Jha’s probing question to the scholar: “What, why, and how of the research?” This opening query required the scholar to elaborate on the rationale, objectives, and methodological structure of their research. Alok Mishra responded with a measured, articulate, and thoroughly grounded presentation that lasted nearly 30 minutes. He began by expressing his gratitude to the panel, particularly acknowledging the presence of Dr Swarna Prabhat, whose scholarly legacy, he said, had inspired many in Bihar and beyond.
In his presentation, Mishra outlined the contours of his research, elaborating on the evolving construct of “Indianness” within the tradition of Indian English poetry. He argued that the concept of Indianness is neither monolithic nor merely a thematic imposition but an evolving literary, philosophical, and cultural consciousness. The research undertook a comprehensive study of seminal Indian English poets, including Nissim Ezekiel, A.K. Ramanujan, Jayanta Mahapatra, and Sri Aurobindo, analysing how their poetic productions construct and reflect the Indian ethos.
His arguments, grounded in both literary critique and cultural theory, navigated the multifaceted aspects of Indian identity, postcolonial selfhood, linguistic hybridity, and the civilisational continuity that undergirds Indian thought. The technical and theoretical sophistication of the response was appreciated by the expert and the panel, setting the tone for an academically rigorous session.
A Range of Scholarly Interventions
Following the opening exposition, Professor Jha delved deeper into critical aspects of the thesis. He posed several questions to assess the scholar’s comprehension of Indianness as a philosophical and literary idea. In particular, he probed the scholar’s understanding of the term’s complexities and its manifestations in poetic language, structure, and imagery. Alok Mishra responded confidently, engaging with the nuances of these inquiries. He acknowledged that the concept of Indianness is inherently fluid, shaped by historical events, cultural transitions, and linguistic negotiations. Mishra emphasised that Indian English poetry serves as a fertile terrain where these tensions are both articulated and reconciled.
One of the most engaging moments came when Dr Swarna Prabhat, a respected figure in the state’s academic circles, questioned the extent to which Indian English literature and poetry have been accepted by the British intelligentsia. He further inquired about the reception and contribution of Toru Dutt, the pioneering Indian poetess who wrote in English and French. In response, Alok Mishra acknowledged the ambivalence with which Indian English literature has historically been received in English-speaking nations, especially in the early phases. He noted that although the colonial bias had once relegated Indian English poetry to the periphery, it has now increasingly gained recognition for its unique voice, cultural depth, and philosophical richness.
Regarding Toru Dutt, Mishra expressed admiration for her precocity and her ability to interweave Indian themes with Western poetic forms. He noted that Dutt’s poetry laid the foundation for a tradition of Indian poetic sensibility in English, and her legacy is central to understanding the emergence of an Indian voice within a borrowed literary medium.
Professor Shrikant Singh, the Head of the Department and one of the panel’s most respected figures, added valuable observations to the discussion. He emphasised the role of Indian English poets in not only expressing Indianness but also mediating between tradition and modernity, as well as individual experience and collective memory.
As the session progressed, Dr Shishim Dubey, from the Department of Philosophy, raised a pertinent question about the inclusion of classical Indian texts in Mishra’s thesis. He asked whether the references to classical Sanskrit and regional literature mentioned in the scholar’s statements were substantively used in the research. Alok Mishra replied affirmatively, asserting that his work drew upon texts such as Sudraka’s Mṛcchakatika and Nīti Śatakam by Bhartṛhari. These texts, he explained, were referenced while discussing poetic expressions of ethical, cultural, and spiritual values in the works of Sri Aurobindo and Nissim Ezekiel. By integrating these classical references, Mishra endeavoured to trace a lineage of Indianness as a continuous cultural and civilisational consciousness.
Formal Conferment and Closing Remarks
The session concluded between 2:20 and 2:30 p.m., after nearly one and a half hours of rigorous academic interaction. Following the final remarks and assessments by the expert and other panel members, Professor Shrikant Singh formally announced the success of the viva voce. Addressing the audience and the scholar, he referred to him as “Dr Alok Mishra” and “Dr Alok Kumar,” thus marking the conferment of the doctoral title. The hall broke into applause as fellow scholars, professors, and attendees congratulated the newly conferred Doctor of Philosophy.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Shrikant Singh commended Alok Mishra for his analytical maturity, compositional lucidity, and commitment to scholarly rigour. He noted that the thesis not only made a significant contribution to the field of Indian English literary studies but also presented a compelling narrative on cultural identity. Dr Swarna Prabhat also extended his congratulations and noted that the research demonstrated intellectual sincerity and cultural depth, both vital for any worthwhile academic inquiry. The expert, Professor Jha, also expressed his affirmation and appreciation for the efforts made by Alok in his thesis and its adept defence.
Contribution to Literary Scholarship
Alok Mishra’s doctoral research stands as a timely and significant contribution to the field of Indian English literature. At a time when questions of identity, language, and cultural continuity are being actively debated in both academic and public discourses, this study offers a grounded, historically aware, and critically nuanced exploration of Indianness. It resists reductionist binaries and instead situates Indian English poetry within a dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation, one that is rooted in local contexts and yet engages with global exchange.
His research not only engages with canonical poets but also reflects on contemporary relevance. It takes a comprehensive view of Indian poetics, drawing upon both Indian and Western critical frameworks while maintaining an emphasis on indigenous thought systems and values. Through his in-depth exploration of texts, poetic devices, imagery, and philosophical leanings, Mishra maps how the Indian consciousness—its rhythms, anxieties, faiths, and cultural memories—finds expression in a language once imposed but now indigenised.
This doctoral achievement is but a continuation of Alok Mishra’s already illustrious literary journey. Known for his incisive literary editorials, thought-provoking poetry, and foundational efforts in building online platforms that support literary education and discourse, Dr Mishra’s scholarship represents a confluence of intellectual clarity and cultural rootedness. With the successful defence of his thesis, he has added yet another distinguished feather to his cap, reaffirming his position as one of the foremost voices in contemporary Indian English literary criticism.
Looking Ahead
As Indian English literature continues to evolve in a world increasingly shaped by global connectivity and cultural mobility, studies like Alok Mishra’s are indispensable. They help anchor literary expression in the deeper waters of tradition while encouraging contemporary writers and critics to explore the full complexity of Indian identity. With the formal conferment of his doctorate, Dr Alok Mishra is poised to take on even more influential roles in shaping the discourse around Indian literature, language, and culture.
The event at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara on June 27, 2025, will long be remembered as a moment that celebrated not only academic excellence but also the enduring power of literature to express the essence of a civilisation.
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