Tantravimarśa

Alka Tyagi, PhD

Areas of Interest

Kashmiri Trika Śaiva Tantras, Ancient Indian Literatures in Sanskrit, Upanishads, Yogic Studies, Indian scriptural traditions, Medieval bhakti movement , English, Hindi and other language literatures in translation.

Languages

  • English
  • Sanskrit
  • Hindi 
  • Basic skills in Deutsch (B-1 Level) 

Translation Skills 

• English to Hindi

• Sanskrit and Hindi to English.

Work Experience

  • Professor,Dept. of English,Dyal Singh(Eve) College, University of Delhi since 2018.
  • Associate Professor, Dept. of English, Dyal Singh (Eve) College, University of Delhi from 2012 to 2018.
  • Assistant Professor, Dept. Of English, Dyal Singh (Eve) College, University of Delhi from 1999 to 2012.

Subjects Taught

  • Indian Classical Literatures
  • Cultural Diversity and Linguistic Plurality
  • Creative Writing 
  • Literary Criticism and Theory 
  • English Language and Literature
  • Literary Criticism and Theory
  • Entire English Literary canonical writing from Chaucer to TS Eliot.
  • Have engaged in organizing Seminars, Conferences, Symposiums and Workshops on subjects of academic, cultural and social interests for the students and faculty. 
  • Founded Environment Awareness Committee at the college in 2010, and have been working with students to create awareness on issues of air and noise pollution and have organized many garbage collection, segregation and tree-plantations drives at the college besides other awareness activities. 

Fellowship

Research Project at IIAS: ‘Bhavana, Creative Contemplation and Bhairava, Supreme Reality in Trika Philosophy’

Fellow at IIAS from 03/2020 to 03/2022, Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

During my tenure at the Institute, I have contributed to research activities of the Institute by providing my critical inputs based on professional expertise, experience, and qualifications.

Organized a two-day online International Symposium on ‘Abhinavagupta: Legacy and Significance’ at the Institute on June 20-21,2021.

Have published three papers and one article in the chosen research area in the IIAS journals – Himanjali, Summerhill and SHSS. 

Education 

  • M.A. Sanskrit.  2023.
    Dept. of Sanskrit, University of Delhi
  • PG Diploma in Sanskrit. 2015,
    Dept. of Sanskrit, University of Delhi.
  • PhD. 2008.
    School of Arts And Aesthetics, JNU – New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi -110067
    Doctoral thesis on the topic, ‘Intersemiotic Transformations in the works of Two   Medieval Saint Poets, Akka Mahadevi and Andal’. 
  • M.Phil. 1998.  
    Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi – Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025
    M.Phil dissertation on ‘Emergence of New Woman: A Study of Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence and Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners’
  • M.A. English Literature 1993 
    Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi – Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025. 
  • B.Sc.1990.
    Bridge course in Botany Honors (One year). Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi. – 4, Patel Marg, Maurice Nagar, New Delhi 110007.
  • B.Sc.1986-88.
    MMH College, Ghaziabad,          
    Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • Senior Secondary School Certificate (12th standard) 1986
    Physics, Chemistry,Biology, English, And Maths Govt. Model School, 
    Vivek Vihar, New Delhi. – Vivek Vihar, New Delhi.    
  • Secondary School (10th Standard), 1984. Govt. Model School,
    Vivek Vihar, New Delhi. – Vivek Vihar, New Delhi.    

Published Books

Narada Bhakti Sutras.(edited with translation and commentary). DK Printworld, New Delhi. 2019. 

Literary Aesthetics and Conflict Studies, (Co-edited). Sponsored by UGC(University Grants Commission). Ramayana Publishers, New Delhi.2018.

A Woven Rope (Translation of Bhavani Prasad Mishra’s award-winning poetry collection, Buni Hui Rassi. Sahitya Akademi,New Delhi. 2016. 

Amaltas Hindi Poetry Collection. ’Ka‘ Prakashan, New Delhi.2014. 

Whispers at the Ganga Ghat and Other Poems. English Poetry Collection.Mark Media, New Delhi.2014. 

From Feminity to Divinity: Andal and Akka Mahadevi. DK Printworld, New Delhi.2013. 

Sun ri Sakhi Hindi Poetry Collection. Surya Prakashan Mandir, Bikaner, Rajasthan. 2009.

Gendered Space. Coedited Anthology of Short Stories on Gender Issues. 

Upcoming books from IIAS, Shimla

1.Creative Contemplation and Supreme Reality in Trika Śaivism 

2.Abhinavagupta: Legacy and Significance. Edited. [Proceedings of a two-day symposium on September 20-21, 2021 at IIAS, Shimla.]

Published Research Papers and Articles

  • Nature of Śakti in Pancastavi and Saundarya Lahari: Mystical Elements in Devotional Framework in Summerhill.Vol.28 (No.2) (2022)  published by IIAS Shimla.

[http://14.139.58.200/ojs/index.php/summerhill/article/view/1519/1543]

  • ‘My Life as a Song: How women speak of themselves through folklore’ in Indian Literature No. 323, Sahitya Akademi’s Bi-monthly Journal, New Delhi. May-June 2021
  • ‘Kashmir Śaivadarśana mein Parama Tattva’ article in Hindi on ‘Supreme Principle in Kashmir Śaiva Philosophy’ in Himanjali published from IIAS, Shimla. June 2020.
    http://iias.ac.in/himanjali/
  • ‘Pratibimba (reflection) and Bodha (awareness) in Trika Philosophy: Objective Universe as an all-round reflection within the Supreme Consciousness’ in KAAV International Journal of English, Literature, and Linguistics. Vol.3, Issue 2. 2016.
    https://www.kaavpublications.org/Journals/issues/2016/Jul/ELL

Presentations and Public Lectures

  • Trika Śaivism of Kashmir: The Non-Dual Tantric Spritiual Tradition with well-developed Metaphysics – Public lecture at INTACH (Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage),New Delhi on July 25, 2023. 
  • Deeper Aspects of Science of Yoga: How Panchakoshas are nourished by the Classical Ashtanga Yoga– Public lecture at Sanskriti Foundation, Anandgram organised by IGNCA, New Delhi on June 21, 2023.
  • ‘Introduction to Tantras’, an online lecture for Living Consciously Organization, Bodhigram, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. January 22,2023
  • ‘Full Span of Human Consciousness: Readings and Practices from Mandukya Upanishad, Yoga Sūtra, and the Vijñānabhairava Tantra’ as part of Vimarsha lecture series at SGRR PG College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. On October 5, 2021.
  • ‘Bhāvana, Bodha and Bhairava in the light of the Vijñānabhairava Tantra and the third āhnika of the Tantrāloka’ in International Conference on Acharya Abhinavagupta: The Genius of Kashmir, 15-17 December 2016.
  • ‘Bhavani Prasad Mishra’s ‘Kya Karte Rahte Hain: Addressing the Subtle Pain of Living a Borrowed Identity in Post-Colonial Situation’ at National Conference on “The Post Colonial and/in the Indian Languages’ Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (ICLALS), University of Lucknow, Lucknow.
  • ‘Rhythm of Being” at National conference on ‘Revisiting and Emphasizing Tagore’s pioneering contribution on Gender Inequalities’
    Maathrubhoomi Foundation, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi.
  • ‘Dreams for Awakening’ at National Seminar on ‘Dreamcatchers: Literature, Creativity and Analysis’ organized by Sahitya Akademi in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
  • ‘Evolution through Devotion: Akka Mahadevi and Andal’ in International Arts Festival/Symposium, Rays of Wisdom Society. 2010.
  • ‘Women Bhakta-s’ in National conference on ‘Narratives of Women and the Indian Nation’ in Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, New Delhi.
  • ‘Negotiating Personal Space: Women Saints’ Attitude to Marriage’ at Women Studies Centre as part of Certificate Course in Women Studies.Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, New Delhi.
  • ‘Woman as a Rebel in Medieval Bhakti Movement’ at Women Studies Centre as part of Certificate Course in Women Studies, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, New Delhi.
  • ‘Andal: Ninth Century Woman Alvar Saint’ at a Symposium on Women Saint Poets in Indraprastha College, University of Delhi.
  • ‘Cultural Dimensions of Globalization affecting Women’ at Seminar on Globalization.
    Indian Social Institute, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
  • ‘Reading the Popular’ at National Seminar on ‘The Aporia between the Text and its Representation’ in Dyal Singh (Eve) College, University of Delhi.
  • ‘Power of / in Discourse in Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence and Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners’ at National conference on Women Studeis. Women Studies Development Centre, Swami Shraddhananda College, University of Delhi.
  • ‘Master-Slave Relationship in J. M. Koetzee’s In the Heart of the Country and Nadine Gordimer’s July’s People’ at National conference on ‘Colonialism/Post Colonialism/ Neo-Colonialism’ in Swami Shraddhananda College, University of Delhi. 

Literary, Cultural and other Co-curricular Activities 

As a member of the English Department at Dyal Singh (Eve) College my colleagues and I have been organizing annual seminars and symposiums under the aegis of our literary society, Literary Meditations. Besides that, I have taken the lead initiative and responsibility in organizing the following programmes as the chief convener: 

  • As the Convener of Dhara-Mitra, the Environment Awareness Committee of Dyal Singh(Eve) College, organized a one-day Symposium on ‘Environment Awareness through Arts and Culture’ on January 18, 2023.
  • As the convener of F.I.N.A.[Forum for International and National Awareness]’, organized a one-day Symposium on ‘Borderline Confusions: Lessons from History’ at Dyal Singh (Eve)College on January 17, 2023.
  • Organized a two-day international symposium on ‘Abhinavagupta: Legacy and Significance’ at IIAS, Shimla on September 20,21, 2021 
  • Organized an UGC-sponsored National Conference on ‘Literary Aesthetics and Conflict Studies’ at Dyal Singh Evening College, University of Delhi on April 20-21,2017.
  • Organized a Silent Awareness March for ‘Shor Rahit Shahar’ (Noise-Free City) on October 20th, 2012 from Dyal Singh College, Lodhi Road to India Gate in which more than 200 students from different colleges walked silently each carrying a message on a placard. Principal Deepak Malhotra, Member of Parliament, Shri Sandeep Dikshit and Jatin Das, poet, artist, educationist, academic, and writer Dr. Kavita Sharma flagged off the March.
  • Created a Ten-point agenda for Environment Awareness with student volunteers called Eco-Buddies under the aegis of Friends of Nature and ‘Dhara Mitra’ [in Hindi,].
  • Have been regularly organizing activities like ‘Cleaning the Campus’, plantation drives, and a noise-free city (Shor Rahit Shahar) since the year 2010.
  • Founded the Environmental Awareness Committee through the Executive Council of Dyal Singh(eve) College. Subsequently, I have been serving as convener and member of the Environment Awareness Committee since 2010.
  • Organized a film show of Satyajit Ray’s film Ghore Baire based on Rabindranath Tagore’s novel of the same name for the students of English Hons. Ist year in August 2011.
  • Coordinated with Sahitya Akademi to co-sponsor a Multilingual Poet’s Meet and organized it at the Dyal Singh (Eve)College on March 8,2010.
  • Conceived and organized a Symposium on Sisterhood in City Spaces on the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2010.
  • Organized a film show with a discussion on BBC production of Shakespeare’s ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ for the students of English Hons., 2nd year. August 2010.
  • Organized a one-day seminar on ‘Individual and Society’ under the aegis of Literary Meditations, Literary Society of Dyal Singh (eve) College, 2005-06.
  • Organized a film show on Bhanwari Devi Rape Case followed by a discussion in February 2006 under the aegis of F.I.N.A.
  • Organized a two-day seminar on Popular Fiction, ‘The Aporia between Text and its Representation’ under the aegis of Literary Meditations, the English Literary Society, Dyal Singh (Eve) College. November 18-19, 2000.

Other Engagements 

As a poet 

I have been invited to read my poems at various Poetry Festivals and other Literary platforms like: 

  • Sahityotsava: Festival of Letters, Sahitya Akademi; 
  • International Women’s day celebrations at Sahitya Akademi; 
  • Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), 
  • India International Centre (IIC), 
  • Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi,
  • Rajdhani College, University of Delhi,
  • Kalindi College, University of Delhi. 
  • Poetry Festivals like Kritya Festival in Mysore, Karnatka,
  • International Poetry Festival in Firenze, Italy. 
  • Famous classical dancers like Kavita Dwivedi (Odissi) and Anjana Rajan (Bharatnatyam) have choreographed my poems. 
  • Collaborated with classical singers Sudha Raghuraman, Ruchi Tailang and Bharatnatyam dancer Anjana Rajan to do Poetry Performance events at IIC, New Delhi and The Attic, New Delhi.    
  • My poems have been published in journals like Indian Literature, Muse India, Punch Magazine, and Indian Cultural Forum and in National Newspapers and in International anthologies like Tapestry of Women in Indian Mythology published by Hawakal; Pankha Poems published by Sahitya Akademi; Vibrant Voices by Sahitya Akademi; Soul Spaces published by Authors Press.
  • Started a poetry group called Poetry at the Monument in 2008 and since then have been organizing poetry gatherings regularly at various monuments in Delhi with poets from all age groups. 

As a writer 

I frequently write articles and Book reviews for The Hindu, The Book Review, and Indian Literature, the Sahitya Academi Literary Journal.

Dr Alka Tyagi
Associate Professor,Dept. of English,
Dyal Singh (Eve) College, University of Delhi,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-3. 

Fellow (2020-2022), 
IIAS, Shimla,Himachal Pradesh,India

Mobile: +919958427452, email: [email protected]