An eclectic collage of time, space and stylistic preferences

In Bruce King's Modern Indian Poetry in English published by OUP in 2001, we find King lamenting the relative neglect of Indian Poetry in English by critics, foreign readers and intellectuals for its obvious detachment from the cultural movements that led to national movements.

- APARNA SINGH

However, in the last seventy-eight years, Indian Poetry in English has become a self-sustaining tradition with recognisable models, periods and influences. When editors Basudhara Roy and Jaydeep Sarangi edit Mapping the Mind, Minding the Map, a volume of Indian poetry by twenty contemporary Indian Poets, almost two decades down the line, they are mindful of voices from the east, west, north, south, centre and northeast and its rich diaspora; the young generation across the wide geography and the myriad linguistic cultures of India.

"A consideration towards maintaining a firm gender balance has also governed the shape of this anthology" observe the editors. This collection promisingly attempts to fill the existing gender gap created by the early anthologies. Responding to recent times that have seen a glorious assertion of all-women's anthologies in an attempt, probably to write back, editors, Roy and Sarangi have meticulously curated 200 poems by twenty poets including men and women equally.

The poetic compendium, structured alphabetically and framed by comprehensive bio-notes, can be daunting and invigorating at the same time. The featured poets represent an eclectic collage of time, space and stylistic preferences.