Arun Kolatkar’s Ajamil And The Tigers – An Ecocritical Perspective

Arun Kolatkar’s Ajamil And The Tigers – An Ecocritical Perspective 

by

Vijay Singh Rajput 

ABSTRACT

The poem Ajamil and the Tigers by Arun Kolatkar is considered a political satire, as indicated in the
Woven Words, an English literature textbook for Class XI, published by the National Council of
Educational Research and Training (NCERT). However, this study re-examines the poem from an
ecocritical perspective, manifesting its deep ecological and environmental themes. By using a qualitative
and conceptual research methodology, the study makes a textual analysis of the poem, revealing how
Ajamil’s actions are not driven by political cunningness but are guided by an inherent understanding of
ecological harmony. Ajamil, a shepherd, does not represent the modern corrupt politicians, nor do the
sheep represent the people of weaker sections. After the re-analysis, Ajamil instead emerges as a wise
shepherd who understands the interdependence of species in an ecosystem. His decision to release the
tigers and offer them food, rather than killing them all, points out his knowledge of maintaining ecological
balance. The study correlates his actions with real-world ecological principles, including the role of
predators in controlling herbivore populations, preventing overgrazing, and sustaining biodiversity.
Comparisons are drawn between Ajamil and real-life shepherds, particularly those in Rajasthan’s Jawai-
Bera region, who coexist with leopards without resorting to exterminating them. The study argues that
English literature textbooks, such as those prescribed by the NCERT, have the potential to promote
environmental awareness among students. The National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, the National
Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 gave great emphasis
to the importance of environmental education. And so, this paper recommends that the NCERT revise its
textbook exercise of this chapter to reflect the poem’s ecological aspects rather than limiting its
interpretation to political satire. By doing so, Ajamil and the Tigers can contribute meaningfully to
environmental education and reinforce the need for ecological balance and human responsibility towards
nature. This research thus reclassifies the poem as an ecology-based literary work, opening up new
possibilities for interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of literature, ecology, and education

.
Keywords: English Textbook, NCERT, Ecology, Environmental Education, Literature Textbook.

Source Credit: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GLOBAL RESEARCH INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGY (IJGRIT)   https://inspirajournals.com/uploads/Issues/1312507885.pdf 

APA Citation: 

Rajput, V. S. (2025). Arun Kolatkar’s Ajamil and the Tigers – An ecocritical perspective. International Journal of Global Research Innovations & Technology (IJGRIT), 3(2), 29–33. https://inspirajournals.com/uploads/Issues/1312507885.pdf

Prakriti’s Guilt and Redemption: A Comparative Study of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chandalika and TV serial Buddha

Prakriti’s Guilt and Redemption: A Comparative Study of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chandalika and TV serial Buddha

 by Vijay Singh Rajput 

Abstract

This study attempts to examine the themes of guilt and redemption in Rabindranath Tagore’s play Chandalika and the Zee TV’s serial Buddha (episode no. 46). By analysing the character arc of Prakriti, the study investigates how societal norms, personal desire, and spiritual transformation shape journey in both the narratives. On one hand, the play Chandalika presents Prakriti’s struggle as a strong psychological inner conflict. On the other hand, the TV serial Buddha plots her story within the traditional Buddhist philosophy, focusing on external guidance and the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Both also highlight themes of caste-based discrimination and self-respect. This paper compares these two narratives, discussing some differences in character development, plot and calming down of the unrest. While Tagore’s drama delves into Prakriti’s internal conflict and self-realisation, the television adaptation emphasises moral instruction and spiritual transformation. The study states that both the versions differ in her ultimate redemption.

Keywords: Chandalika, Buddha, Guilt, Redemption, Tagore, TV Serial

Source Credit:  https://thercsas.com/archives/volume5-issue4   

For the complete article visit:     https://doi.org/10.55454/rcsas.5.04.2025.010 

Original Reference in APA format:        

Rajput, V. S. (2025). Prakriti’s Guilt and Redemption: A Comparative Study of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chandalika and TV serial Buddha. The Review of Contemporary Scientific and Academic Studies, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.55454/rcsas.5.04.2025.010

Narendra Shlok

वडनगरजन्मनं राजर्षिं कर्तृकर्तारमेतिहासे | अत्यन्तदुष्करकार्यकुशलं गौरवं राष्ट्रेण यः सदा हर्षं॥
तस्य प्रधानं त्रयैतीनां नेतृणां जगतां पौरुषं | इन्द्रोऽपि यः भविष्यति देवेश्वरं साक्षात् प्रज्ञायुतं॥

नरेन्द्राय नमः।
देवेन्द्राय नमः।
बोधिसत्त्वाय नमः।

I pay homage to him who was born in Vadnagar, the royal sage, the doer of remarkable deeds in history. Skilled in accomplishing the most difficult tasks, he is the one who brings pride and joy to the nation.

He is the foremost among the thirty-three leaders, a person of supreme valour. He is destined to become Indra, the lord of the gods, who embodies infinite wisdom and power.

Obeisance to Narendra!

Obeisance to Devendra!

Obeisance to Bodhisatva!

Join us at the second edition of COODING!

 

View this email in your browser  ESPAÑOL | FRANÇAIS Join us at the second edition of COODING!   28 November 2024 | Baharat Mandapam (New Delhi) Open air amphitheatre - Second floor On 28 November from 13h30 to 15h30 (IST) CICOPA will organize its second COODING, as an official side event of the ICA Global Conference. CICOPA, in partnership with CICOPA Asia-Pacific and the cooperative Patio, is glad to invite you to join the second edition of COODING, this time taking place in New Delhi, India . In the wake of the ICA  Global Conference “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All”, COODING: New Delhi offers a space to discuss the use of technology according to the cooperative principles and values, to match the digitalization needs of existing cooperatives with the services provided by some innovative tech cooperatives and, finally, for networking. This edition brings together a global network of cooperative innovators, digital pioneers, and tech visionaries committed to advancing a fairer digital economy. What is in for you?  Inspiring Discussions: Dive into sessions on the enabling factors for cooperatives to thrive in the digital age, guided by cooperative values and supported by cooperative federations. Networking & Meet-and-Greet: Connect with digital and tech cooperators from around the world, exchange insights, and foster collaborations. Exploring Digital Solutions: Meet tech cooperatives and discover their services designed to meet cooperative’s needs and strengthen your impact.   The event will only be held on site, no remote participation options are foreseen, and English will be the only language used during the event. Please note that participation in COODING is not subject to the ICA Conference’s participation fees. Please be aware that if you register to attend COODING, you are not automatically registered for the ICA Conference. To register for the ICA Global Conference, visit the ICA Global Conference website. More information?  Do not hesitate to reach out to mickael.bianchin@cicopa.coop The CICOPA Team Register now More info on ICA Conference event and registrations Copyright © 2024 CICOPA, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: CICOPA Avenue Milcamps 105 Brussels 1030 Belgium

2025 International Year of Cooperatives declared by the United Nations

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ESPAÑOL FRANÇAIS The President's Message Dear cooperators, I look forward to seeing you in New Delhi! From November 25 to 30, we are going to share many valuable moments together. India awaits us with open arms. For the first time, this thriving Asia-Pacific nation and its powerful cooperative movement will host our General Assembly and Global Conference. The overall theme of the event will be how to create shared prosperity - something cooperatives are known to deliver - while putting people and the environment at the centre of their purpose and activities. Together, we will kick off the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives declared by the United Nations. We will witness and participate in exchanges on various aspects of our movement, including commercial, institutional and fraternal. We will visit cooperatives and exhibitions, and we will advance in advocacy towards governments and international organisations. And, we will address key topics to continue increasing inter-cooperation links between all the regions and sectors in the world that make up our vibrant cooperative family. For 200 years, our principles and values have guided this unique enterprise model and positioned it today as the most direct vehicle towards a sustainable future. Join us and contribute your views and proposals to strengthen the prominence of our movement worldwide. Ariel Guarco ICA President November is a busy time in New Delhi, so we would urge delegates to also book travel and accommodation as soon as registration - and visas, if applicable - have been confirmed. You can find more information about transport, visas and hotels here. Click here to register for #ICANewDelhi2024 IFFCO elections: a coop example of democracy at scale The 2024 ICA Global Conference in New Delhi is being hosted by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited – IFFCO – a multi-state cooperative society engaged in the manufacture and marketing of fertiliser in close cooperation with the wider cooperative movement of India. Founded in 1967 by 57 member cooperatives, with deep roots in national and international cooperation among cooperatives, the organisation has spent over 55 years empowering farmers and connecting India's agricultural grassroots. Today it is the biggest cooperative in the world by turnover on GDP per capita with around 35,000 member cooperatives reaching over 50 million Indian farmers.   In April and May 2024, IFFCO faced the monumental task of holding its first elections since the establishment of India’s Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) – and for the CEA, this was the largest election it had ever overseen. How does a cooperative that serves so many run fair and transparent elections?  Read the full news  New York and #ICANewDelhi2024 events set to launch the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is the second UN International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), which will bring cooperatives, governments, civil society, and other stakeholders together to celebrate cooperative achievements, address challenges, and foster collaboration for a more sustainable and equitable future. The 2025 IYC will be kicked off with a special launch event at #ICANewDelhi2024, but ahead of the Global Conference, the UN Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations, will host a soft-launch during the UN High-Level Political Forum at the UN Headquarters in New York on 9 July 2024. This event will coincide with the 2024 UN International Day of Cooperatives (IDC), celebrated under the theme Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All. Find out more about the International Day of Cooperatives at http://www.coopsday.coop. Find out more about CoopsDay! A conference logo that perfectly combines cooperatives, India and #ICANewDelhi2024 conference theme Let us introduce the #ICANewDelhi2024 conference logo! The logo has two parts, which together represent India, cooperatives and the theme of the event: Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All. The peacock is the national bird of India, associated with the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. This resonates with the goals of cooperatives, which focus on creating shared economic prosperity for our members – and so the shape and colours of peacock feathers form an outer circle around an inner Lotus Temple. The Lotus Temple, or the Baháʼí House, is a place of worship of the Baháʼí Faith. It is also globally renowned as an architectural marvel known for its innovative design and use of materials, which represents New Delhi and India more widely. The logo uses a vibrant blue for the peacock's body and a multicolour palette for its feathers, which represents the diversity of the cooperative movement across the globe. Thank you to Axis Communications, an India-based event company, for creating an excellent, unifying symbol for our 2024 Global Conference. Should you have any questions, require additional information, or need assistance with the registration process, please do not hesitate to contact us at conference@icanewdelhi2024.coop. Our dedicated team is here to help and ensure that your conference experience is seamless, enjoyable, and productive. We sincerely hope that you will join us in New Delhi for this inspiring and transformative event, where together, we can contribute to the cooperative dialogue, foster collaboration and innovation, and help shape a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable future for all. Click here to register for #ICANewDelhi2024 SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HOSTS