T.S. Eliot's Critical Essays : An Approach from Indian Aesthetics

About the Author Born in a family of West Bengal, noted for its profound Contribution to the arena of Indian Culture, Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay is a Senior Lecturer in English, Birbhum Mahavidyalaya a College affiliated to the University of Burdwan. Having a distinguished, academic record to his credit Dr. Mukhopadhyay is a regular contributor to journals, both literary and popular. At the present moment he is engaged in the significant task of presenting Western Literary Critical Theories through the Medium of Bengali.

Preface The book entitled T. S. Eliot's Critical Essays: An Approach from Indian Aesthetics records the results of long and laborious research carried out in the field of critical essays of T.S. Eliot vis-a-vis Sanskrit literary theories the results of which had been submitted earlier in the form of a thesis at Jadavpur University, Calcutta, in support of my candidature for admission to Ph. D. degree of the University. Now that the thesis has been approved by the University for award of Ph. D. degree, and that some of the adjudicators have suggested . that the dissertation should be brought to light in order to enable the band of scholars working in the same field to advance the knowledge further by starting investigation from the truth substantiated in it, the book is being published with the co-operation of and the kind assistance rendered by Pandit Satkari Mukhopadhyaya in this regard and above all through the constant grace of the Divine Mother.

. Professor Dr Jagannath Chakravorty, one of the most profound exponents of comparative criticism of the modern times, suggested to me the subject and explained its tremendous possibilities. Subsequently, he was pleased to agree to supervise the research project and guide me for Ph.D. degree of Jadavpur University. Unfortunately, Professor Chakravorty is no more to see the results of the research carried out under his supervision being published in the form of a book and to inspire me to undertake further projects. I happen to be the last research scholar to be guided by him, - last member to appear in 'the family of learning' (vidyavamsa) created by this great scholar, critic and literary artist. I offer my salutations soaked with devotion to Professor Chakravorty and seek his blessings in all my future ventures.

I had also the opportunity of discussing the contents of the thesis with Professor Dr Subhas Sarkar, Professor of English, Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, who happened to be one of the adjudicators and was pleased to conduct my Viva along with my supervisor. I am grateful of the very valuable suggestions offered by Professor Sarkar, a great exponent of Eliot's theory and Philosophy in regard to my future projects. The inspiration given by him is really tremendous and is likely to help me in carrying out new investigation in the field of practical application of the literary theories projected by T.S. Eliot to all specimens of poetic art including his own creations. This suggestion has been taken note of, and depending on the blessings of the Divine Mother and the spark of inspiration ignited by the learned connoisseur of T.S. Eliot, a start is contemplated to be given to the new scheme immediately after the publication of this book. I had the privilege of going through some of the excerpts from the reports submitted by Dr Haydn Moore Williams on the thesis. The recommendations and remarks of Dr Williams have proved to me to be a source of a great strength, particularly because of the fact that Dr Williams happens to be a representative of both Western and Indian Cultures, - of the Western by his birth and of the Indian by his training and constant application to Indian texts and scriptures including the Gita, the Upanishads, the Vedas and the Puranas. The comments made by this learned scholar have been taken care of in the book. At this material moment, when the book is going to see the light of the day, I offer my profound respect to both Professor Dr Subhash Sarkar and Dr H.M. Williams for the kind words of encouragement, which they had been pleased to record in their reports.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages