BEGC-103(EM) 2025-26

origins of Indian English poetry lie in a complex interplay of colonial influence, linguistic adaptation, nationalist awakening, and cultural self-assertion. It grew from the efforts of pioneers like Derozio and Toru Dutt, who learned from European traditions while giving voice to Indian themes; from lyricists like Sarojini Naidu, who infused English poetry with Indian melody; and from philosophical poets like Tagore and Sri Aurobindo, who expanded its intellectual and spiritual dimensions. Together, these early poets laid the foundation for a rich and diverse tradition that continues to evolve today. Their legacy reveals how Indian English poetry arose not as an imitation of the West but as a dynamic, innovative expression of India’s cultural identity in a global language.