Research Themes in Language and Literature
  1. LITERATURE

(A) The themes and areas listed below dealing with image of Islam and Muslims or with religious and cultural influences or as inspirational sources, and with representation, distortion and stereotyping of Islam, Muslims and non-Muslims are worthy of socio-literary critical attention. Depending upon the particular requirements of M.Phil. or Ph.D. or Post-doctoral programme specific topics may deal with particular authors periods or genres in any language including English.The writings selected for study may include pamphlets, tracts, treatises and polemical literature.

The image of Islam and Muslims in India, (i) literary writings, (ii) popular writings, (iii) folklore and oral traditions.( The Image of Islam etc." may mean image as part of the main work.)

  • There are separate & complete works on Islam & Indian Muslims by Non-Muslim writers. Hence Non-Muslim Contribution in writing on Islam & Muslim like M.N. Roys Historical Role of Islam should be taken up as a research theme.

  1. The representation of Islam in Muslim literary writings.

  2. Reflection of Islamic values in literature.

  3. The influence of Islamic culture on Indian folklore.

  4. Islamic culture and religion as a source of inspiration/influence in Indian literature.

  5. Mutual perception of Hindus and Muslims in their literature, folklore and oral traditions.

  6. The image of non-Muslims in Muslim literary and popular writings.

  7. Anti-Muslim Hindus Revivalist writings.

  8. Fictional-literary and popular writings depicting distorted history and biased Muslim stereotype.

  9. Islamic influence in Indian intellectual and literary renaissance.

(B) The following list deals with humanist trends in literature. Humanism affirms hat all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Upholding human dignity and freedom and commitment to secure justice and freedom from want and fear, have been some of the basic concerns of humanism. A particular literary piece may not be based on any such social creed, yet the author’s point of view and his concerns get reflected in his works. Similarly trends may be discerned over a period of literary writings.

Topics may be selected and specified dealing with any single author or even single work or a period past or present.

  1. Humanist trends in Indian literature

  2. Humanist trends in Muslim literature

  3. Humanist trends in Sikh literature

  4. Humanist trends in Buddhist and Jaina literature

  5. Anti-humanist trends in Indian literature

  6. Dalit literature

  7. Literature on anti-caste protest

(C) MUSLIM CONTRIBUTION TO INDIAN LITERATURE, OTHER THAN URDU

Explanation: Besides critical survey and evaluation of particular authors, contribution of Muslim rulers, patrons and organisations towards promotion and enrichment of literature and languages other than Urdu may also be undertaken for research.

  1. LANGUAGE:
  1. Linguistic diversity in India – A challenge for language policy planning in a humanist democratic framework.

    2. Explanation: A number of topics may be devised around issues relating to official language, link language, medium of instruction, pan-Indian parlance and scripts, pointing out better democratic and realistic alternatives where all languages get opportunity to prosper.

  2. Minority languages in India in national and regional perspective in Hindi region, South India, Northwest, North East and J&K.

    3. Explanation: Studies may be carried out on the actual state of minority languages in each state and union territory, bringing under scrutiny official language policy of the State, the status and recognition, if any, of minority languages, their place in the application of three language formula and availability of teaching facilities, etc.

  3. State of the Urdu language in India in national and regional perspective.

    4. Explanation: Being associated with Muslims, Urdu faces special problems. Data-based research need therefore to be carried out on the state of Urdu in terms of policies and promises and their implementation, beginning with the Freedom Movement, Constituent Assembly Debates, Constitutional Safeguards, Policies and Programmes.

  4. Language ethnicity and nationality.

    5. Explanation: Focussing on particular minority language research may be conducted on how a speech community develops Socio-cultural group identity.

  5. Languages and Dialects in India. Recognition in the Eighth Schedule.

    6. Explanation: The case of some so-called dialects and language like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, etc. may be studied for consideration as independent languages.

  6. Teaching of Urdu as first language

  1. Teaching of Urdu as second language.

  2. Teaching of Urdu for specific purposes.

  3. Use of mother tongue Urdu as medium of instruction.

  4. Materials production for the teaching and learning of Urdu and for its use as medium.

    Explanation: Research on the themes/areas under 6 to 10 above need to be carried out as have been in progress for a long time for the teaching of English. A comprehensive programme known as ULT may be devised to develop methods, Materials and courses and syllabuses and tests. Research may be carried out to establish the claim of mother tongue as medium at the primary level as sound educational-cultural principle.

    Note: Similar language teaching programmes may be developed for other neglected languages.

  1. .The language of Urdu journalism.

    2. Explanation: Research may be carried out selecting national and regional newspapers and periodicals in Urdu, classifying them along valid parameters and studying their linguistic style relating it to goals on communication.

  2. .The language of Muslim religious writings in Urdu.

  3. .The language of the religious sermon.

Explanation: Like the language of journalism, that of religious writings and sermons which may be further subdivided on the basis of clientele/ audience/readership and topic, etc. Fall under registrar variation of language. Researches may be carried out on these registers in Urdu (may be on some other registers also like that of politics) not only with a view to describing their stylistic features as they are but examining their efficiency in terms of communication with a view to suggesting improvements.

  1. (a) Translations:

    Explanation: Translations of literary classics of humanistic value may be undertaken, so also of other significant works dealing with religion, culture and political and economic thought.

    (b)Translations, may also be undertaken of literature of knowledge from disciplines including sciences.

  2. Preparation of Reference Works.

  3. Preparation of Children’s literature in Urdu and other languages.

    Explanation: Programmes under 15 and 16 may not lead to award of any degree. They may, however, be entrusted to reputed scholars and centres as projects

   III. DEVELOPMENT OF CLASSICAL LANGUAGES:

  1. Persian Studies in India

  2. Arabic Studies in India

  3. Pali Studies in India

  4. Prakrit Studies in India

Explanation: These studies may not be carried out just on traditional lines. They may be undertaken rather to reinforce their claim to be studied for literary-cultural and historical purposes as well as, in the case of Arabic and Persian, for contemporary needs as link languages with West Asia and Central Asia.

            

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