In a significant and momentous achievement, Alok Mishra, a prominent name in the realm of Indian English literature, successfully defended his doctoral thesis titled “In Search of Roots: Indianness in Indian English Poetry” in a rigorous viva voce held at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda. This scholarly milestone, achieved on June 27, 2025, not only marks a new chapter in Mishra’s academic journey but also holds considerable implications for the literary community at large, both in India and beyond. Known for his far-reaching contributions to literature through the founding of key literary platforms, including English Literature Education, The Indian Authors, Ashvamegh, and English Literature Forum, Alok Mishra has been steadfast in his efforts to democratise, decentralise, and deepen the literary discourse in India, especially concerning Indian English writing. With the conferment of his doctoral degree, his stature as a literary scholar is only further enhanced, promising richer engagements and more authoritative contributions in the times to come.
Over the past decade, Alok Mishra has emerged as a literary force whose impact is evident not only in scholarly and poetic circles but also among students, aspiring writers, and literature enthusiasts nationwide. At a time when access to academic resources and informed literary criticism was often confined to the boundaries of privileged institutions, Mishra’s initiatives significantly bridged this gap. His brainchild, English Literature Education, has helped hundreds of thousands of students grasp complex literary concepts with clarity and confidence. Similarly, Ashvamegh and ʼThe Indian Authors have served as vibrant platforms for emerging voices, offering them space to express, reflect, and engage critically with contemporary and classical literature. These endeavours reflect Mishra’s persistent and grounded vision—to revive and reassert Indian literary sensibility in the English language without undermining its civilisational core.
What makes Alok Mishra’s contribution even more remarkable is the rare blend of creativity and critical depth he brings to the table. As a poet, his voice is distinct—deeply reflective, often spiritual, and always rooted in the Indian experience of life, thought, and consciousness. As a critic, his approach is incisive yet accessible, always aiming to reveal the intricate layers of meaning in a text without alienating his audience. This rare ability to function as both creator and commentator has set him apart in the Indian literary landscape. The successful defence of his PhD thesis, therefore, does not arrive as a mere formality, but as a culmination of a life deeply and continuously engaged with literature in its many manifestations.
The viva voce that sealed this academic achievement was itself a rigorous and intellectually enriching session. The external expert, Professor Jai Shankar Jha, a distinguished professor of English Literature at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, evaluated the work with characteristic academic rigour. The panel of experts included some of the most respected figures of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara and beyond—retired Professor Dr Swarna Prabhat, former Head of the Department of English Literature at Nalanda College, Biharsharif; Professor Hare Krishna Tiwary, Head of the Department of Hindi; Professor Ruby Kumari, Head of the Department of Sanskrit; Dr Shishim Dubey from the Department of Philosophy; Dr Vijay Karn from the Department of Sanskrit; and several other scholars and professors of the university. The proceedings were led by Professor Shrikant Singh, Head of the Department of English at NNM and the research supervisor of Alok Mishra. Professor Singh’s guidance and scholarly insight played an instrumental role in shaping the research, and his remarks during the session reflected his confidence in the work’s academic significance.
The session opened with formal introductions followed by a comprehensive question from the external expert: “What, why, and how of the research?” Alok Mishra responded with a lucid, well-structured exposition that spanned nearly thirty minutes, providing a conceptual, thematic, and methodological overview of his thesis. He elaborated on the evolving definition of Indianness, contesting the simplistic or monolithic interpretations of the term. Instead, he posited it as a layered, complex, and civilisational consciousness that finds expression through poetic language, imagery, and form in Indian English poetry. Through careful textual analysis, supported by cultural theory and philosophical reflections, Mishra’s research charted the trajectory of Indianness across poets as varied as Nissim Ezekiel, Sri Aurobindo, Jayanta Mahapatra, and A.K. Ramanujan.
What made his responses during the viva remarkable was not merely his mastery over the subject, but the ease with which he connected classical Indian texts, civilisational ethos, and postcolonial discourse into a coherent argument. When Dr Shishim Dubey raised the question regarding references to classical Indian texts—particularly those in Sanskrit—Mishra responded in the affirmative, pointing to works such as Sudraka’s Mṛcchakatika and Bhartrihari’s Nīti Śatakam, which he used while analysing the works of Ezekiel and Aurobindo. This demonstrated his interdisciplinary orientation, his sensitivity to the continuity of Indian thought, and his ability to bridge ancient literary wisdom with modern poetic concerns.
An equally important moment came when Dr Swarna Prabhat raised a pertinent question regarding the reception of Indian English poetry among the British intelligentsia and the early contributions of Toru Dutt. Mishra acknowledged that while the early reception was often coloured by colonial prejudice, the evolving literary output of Indian poets writing in English has gradually earned global recognition for its depth, authenticity, and aesthetic merit. He referred to Toru Dutt as a foundational figure in this tradition—one who managed to give voice to Indian sensibility using Western poetic forms, thus initiating the journey that his thesis seeks to document and interpret.
Professor Shrikant Singh, in his remarks during the session, reiterated the importance of the research and the dedication with which Alok Mishra approached it. He acknowledged the scholar’s thoroughness, the originality of thought, and the balance he maintained between literary theory and poetic practice. These words were not merely ceremonial but indicative of a supervisor’s pride in seeing his scholar achieve a milestone that would further the cause of Indian literary studies.
At the conclusion of the viva voce, held over a period of nearly ninety minutes and culminating around 2:20 PM, Professor Singh formally announced the success of the scholar, referring to him as Dr Alok Mishra and Dr Alok Kumar, thereby cementing his academic transition from researcher to doctor of philosophy. Applause followed, as professors, students, and scholars in attendance congratulated the newly minted PhD holder. While the occasion was undoubtedly academic, there was also a palpable sense of cultural affirmation—a recognition that Mishra’s work stands not only as a contribution to English literary studies but also as a reassertion of Indian identity in a world often dominated by Western paradigms.
Looking ahead, the implications of this doctoral achievement are far-reaching. With the recognition that comes with this academic title, Dr Alok Mishra is poised to play an even more vital role in shaping the discourse on Indian literature. His critical authority is now bolstered by scholarly legitimacy, which will empower him to engage more directly with institutions, mentor future scholars, and participate in policy-level discussions concerning literary education. One can also expect a series of publications—books, essays, and critical editions—that will further distil and disseminate the insights from his thesis.
Moreover, this achievement comes at a time when Indian English poetry is undergoing a renewed phase of reflection and revaluation. In this context, Mishra’s thesis provides a much-needed framework for evaluating contemporary poetic voices through the lens of Indianness, not merely as a nationalistic idea, but as a rich, civilisational expression. His work serves as a reminder that writing in English does not necessitate the erasure of one’s cultural self; rather, it can be a medium through which Indian thought, values, and aesthetics are rearticulated and reimagined.
In conclusion, the successful defence of Alok Mishra’s thesis is not only a personal academic milestone but also a moment of celebration for the entire literary fraternity. It is a recognition of years of commitment to literature, not merely as an object of study, but as a lived philosophy. Dr Mishra’s intellectual journey, now armed with a doctorate, promises to open new doors for literary inquiry, education, and dissemination. And for those who have followed his work over the years—his poetry, his editorials, his platforms—this is not merely the end of a scholarly pursuit, but the beginning of a larger, deeper, and more impactful literary odyssey.
28 June 2025
Updates for English Literature Education