Ecocriticism and Sustainability : Rasa Theory, Literature and Indian Knowledge Systems

The volume offers an interdisciplinary approach to environmental humanities by integrating classical Indian aesthetics with global ecocritical discourse. Drawing on Bharata’s Natyasastra and subsequent interpretations of Rasa Theory, the book explores how aesthetic experience—rooted in emotions and ethical consciousness—can foster ecological thought and practice, through a new ecocritical approach. It juxtaposes Indian concepts of harmony and interconnectedness with Western frameworks, including Charles Darwin’s universality of emotions and Joseph Meeker’s literary ecology, to offer a comparative lens on sustainability. The volume moves beyond theory to praxis, analyzing canonical texts from Sanskrit drama to modern Indian literature, alongside insights from the Vedas, Upanishads, and Tamil tinai traditions. It demonstrates how rasa-based readings illuminate ecological ethics, resilience, and the urgency of sustainable living. By bridging cultural and temporal divides, the book provides a fresh interpretive model for ecocriticism that resonates globally. It is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in literary studies, cultural theory, environmental humanities, and South Asian studies.