Ethnological study.

India has a rich literary assemblage produced by its many different regional traditions, religious faiths, ethnic subcultures and linguistic groups. The published literature of the 20th century is a particularly interesting subject and is the focus of this book, as it represents the provocative conjuncture of the transitions of Indian modernity. This reference book surveys the major regional literatures of contemporary India in the context of the country's diversity and heterogeneity. Chapters are devoted to particular regions, and the arrangement of the work invites comparisons of literary traditions. Chapters provide extensive bibliographies of primary works, thus documenting the creative achievement of numerous contemporary Indian authors. Some chapters cite secondary works as well, and the volume concludes with a list of general works providing further information. An introductory essay overviews theoretical concerns, ideological and aesthetic considerations, developments in various genres, and the history of publishing in regional literatures. The introduction provides a context for approaching the chapters that follow, each of which is devoted to the literature of a particular region. Each chapter begins with a concise introductory section. The body of each chapter is structured according to social and historical events, literary forms, or broad descriptive or analytic trends, depending on the particular subject matter. Each chapter then closes with an extensive bibliography of primary works, thus documenting the rich literary tradition of the region. Some chapters also cite secondary sources as an aid to the reader. The final chapters of the book address special topics, such as sub-cultural literatures, or the interplay between literature and film. A list of additional sources of general information concludes the volume.

This book examines key issues concerning land acquisition, and puts forward policy suggestions. Land acquisition is one of the most important issues besetting India’s political economy today. There have been many conflicts surrounding acquisitions; but there have been ample peaceful acquisitions, too. Growth in any economy requires more land. Hence in India too, in the future more and more land will be required for the purposes of infrastructure expansion, industrialization, urbanization etc. The book also examines a number of broader policy issues in the context of land reforms and shows how a successful resolution of the land acquisition matter is vital to attaining a high rate of growth. Using a case study method, the book examines the process of land acquisition in detail and its implications for farmers. It finds that the development of acquired land leads to higher growth and higher employment; and it also leads to improvements for the dalits (the backward class p eople). Benefits in terms of higher revenues for the government are also observed. It argues that, if the acquisition process is properly executed, those farmers who lose land will not oppose acquisition but will instead become partners in the process of growth.

A vast and diversified religious movement originating from Sai Baba of Shirdi, is often referred to as "the Sai Baba movement." Through the chronological presentation of Sai Baba's life, light is shed on the various ways in which the important guru figures in this movement came to be linked to the saint of Shirdi.