Call for Papers for the 5th Volume of Intersections
RABINDRANATH, GANDHI, AND THE ECOLOGY OF CHANGE
Concept Note
Eric Hobsbawm, in Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991 (1994), asserts that although the necessity for “ecological policies” and the nature of the policies were determined by the rich countries and the comfortable classes, “the supporters of ecological policies were right”. If humanity wanted to survive, the rate of development would have to be ‘sustainable’. In the context of a continuing ecological crisis, characterized by climate change, biodiversity loss, and rampant resource depletion, the environmental thoughts of Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi, two global figures of the twentieth century, are more pertinent than ever. Their critiques of industrialism and consumerism serve as a timeless counter-narrative to unsustainable paradigms of progress, challenging humanity to reimagine its relationship with the natural world. This is not to claim that Tagore or Gandhi were the makers of the ecological policies of modern India. Yet, a re-evaluation of their writings and work in the context of the current crisis would be more than pertinent.
Rabindranath’s ecological vision extended his identity as a poet, philosopher, and educator par excellence. To him, nature was not a passive backdrop to human existence but a dynamic, living force intrinsically intertwined with the human soul. His concept of Jivan Devata—the divine essence imbuing all life—epitomized this unity, urging humanity to uphold an ethical responsibility towards the environment. Rabindranath’s poetry, particularly the celebrated Gitanjali, is suffused with reverent portrayals of nature as a manifestation of spiritual transcendence. His vivid imagery of boundless skies, verdant fields, and flowing rivers evokes a sublime sense of interconnectedness between humans and their natural surroundings. Beyond literature, Rabindranath expressed a scathing critique of modern industrial civilization in, for instance, The Religion of Man (1931), a lecture series delivered at Oxford, cautioning against the spiritual desolation wrought by humanity’s alienation from nature. His commitment to ecological harmony found tangible expression in Santiniketan, his experimental school, which melded open-air classrooms with reforestation initiatives, fostering an educational ethos rooted in communion with the natural world. Tagore firmly believed that art, literature, and education should inspire a profound appreciation for nature’s inherent sanctity.
By contrast, Gandhi’s ecological outlook was firmly grounded in the ethical and pragmatic dimensions of his worldview. His philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence) extended beyond interpersonal relationships to encompass the natural world, advocating a compassionate and respectful kinship with all living beings. Gandhi viewed environmental exploitation as a form of violence and voiced his trenchant critique of industrialism in his seminal work, Hind Swaraj. He envisioned Gram Swaraj, or village self-reliance, as a sustainable alternative to urban-centric industrial development. This vision championed decentralized economies based on traditional agricultural practices and equitable resource management. Furthermore, Gandhi’s promotion of Swadeshi and Khadi underscored his commitment to ethical consumption and local self-sufficiency, rejecting the exploitative ethos of consumerism. His ashram at Sevagram served as a microcosm of his ecological ideals, with organic farming, simplicity, and collective resource-sharing epitomizing a harmonious balance between human needs and environmental preservation.
The legacies of Rabindranath and Gandhi endure as a testament to the sacred bond between humanity and the earth, urging us to honour and protect this fragile interconnectedness for generations to come. Thus, as our world teeters at an unprecedented ecological tipping point and the shadow of environmental collapse looms ominously, with climate change unleashing catastrophic weather patterns, biodiversity loss accelerating at alarming rates, and natural resources diminishing under the strain of unsustainable practices, there is grave urgency in demanding not just action but a fundamental rethinking of the paradigms that have guided humanity’s relationship with the natural world. This is no longer a question of isolated policy shifts or incremental change; it is a call for profound intellectual, ethical, and cultural transformation.
The forthcoming volume of Intersections: A Journal of Literary and Cultural Studies (ISSN: 2583-1542) invites contributions that critically engage with the multifaceted dimensions of this ecological crisis. At the heart of this issue lies an invitation to revisit and reinterpret the ecological thought of Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi, two profound thinkers, whose insights resonate powerfully in the context of today’s environmental challenges. We invite you to explore the enduring relevance of their meditations on ecology in addressing contemporary ecological challenges. Contributors are encouraged to engage with Rabindranath and Gandhi’s ideas as a foundation for deeper inquiry while also drawing on other philosophical, socio-cultural, educational, economic and scientific perspectives. The journal hopes to foster a dialogue that shall not only review existing paradigms but also imagine alternative futures that are equitable, sustainable, and rooted in a reverence for the natural world. Since it is widely recognized that the ecological crisis is not merely a scientific or technological problem but a deeply philosophical and ethical one, the current volume of Intersections invites contributions that address questions in relation to our present ecological crisis from the standpoint of moral imperatives and ethical dilemmas that underpin humanity’s relationship with the Earth. How can we cultivate a renewed sense of interconnectedness? What cultural narratives and educational frameworks can inspire a more sustainable ethos? What role do indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge systems play in crafting solutions that are both innovative and sourced by wisdom? Furthermore, the journal seeks to spotlight interdisciplinary approaches that weave together insights from philosophy, ecology, literature, economics, and social sciences. We are particularly interested in exploring the role of literature in fostering an aesthetic and spiritual connection to the environment. Can creative expression inspire new paradigms of environmental stewardship? What lessons can be drawn from historical and cultural traditions to reimagine humanity’s bond with nature?
This volume aspires to be more than a collection of essays; it is an intellectual call to action. As the existential threats of climate change and environmental collapse grow more acute, this dialogue becomes not only timely but indispensable. We envision it as a space for both critique and creation—a space where interventions in existing paradigms shall facilitate the creations of new roots.
Abstracts, of not more than 300 words must be submitted based on the following or associated sub-themes and are expected to be related to one or both the figures in question:
- Ecological critique of modernity
- Ashram as an ecological microcosm
- Jivan Devata and Ecological Humanism
- Ahimsa and environmental ethic
- Ecology and Spirituality in Rabindranath and Gandhi
- Ecology and morality
- Pedagogy and Nature in Rabindranath
- Nature and Gandhi’s Nai Talim
- Reimagining eco-conscious curricula
- Literature and ecological education
- Mechanisation, human civilisation and ecological loss
- Colonialism and ecology
- Aesthetics and Ecology
- Politics and ecology
- Art/music/literature and ecology
- Gram Swaraj and the politics of ecology
- De/growth, the state and ecology
- Postcolonialism and Ecological Change
- Ecological justice and the state
- Anthropocentrism and eco-political alternatives
- Tribal and rural cosmologies and ecological restoration
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS:
Abstract: 300 words
Bio-note: 150 words
Your name / personal details should not be mentioned on the document containing the abstract.
Last date for submission of abstracts: 12th April, 2025
Submission link: https://forms.gle/Vki1bfYpnERqFzJx5
For queries: kceng.journal@intersectionsonline.in
Intersections is an online, double-blind peer-reviewed journal, usually published in the month of September. The journal provides a platform for the publication of quality research. The journal also wishes to publish articles that are interdisciplinary in scope, or related to issues which bear significant social or cultural impact.
We do not charge fees for the submission or publication of articles. Intersections does not receive any funding or sponsorship from any organisation or individual. For more details about our journal kindly use the following link: https://intersectionsonline.in/about/
