Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan

Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan, an Assistant Professor at Rice University, delves into the complexities of identity in Indian English literature. She discusses the resistance to ethnic labeling faced by authors like Bharati Mukherjee and Jhumpa Lahiri, and the implications of 'accented reading' in understanding texts. Srinivasan also reflects on the influence of theorists like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Homi Bhabha in shaping scholarship, while advocating for the relevance of literature in today's critical discourse.

Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan, an Assistant Professor at Rice University and author of "Overdetermined", dives deep into the complexities of Indian English literature. She explores why identity is hard to define in literary studies and how writers like Bharati Mukherjee and Jhumpa Lahiri navigate these intersections. Srinivasan introduces 'accented reading', showcasing how accents reveal narratives of migration. The conversation also critiques neoliberal academia and highlights the importance of critical engagement with literature and theory in resisting anti-humanities sentiments.

Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan, an Assistant Professor of English at Rice University, delves into the complexities of identity in Indian English literature. With her book, she challenges how ethnic and postcolonial labels affect the representation of writers like Bharati Mukherjee and Jhumpa Lahiri. Srinivasan introduces the concept of 'accented reading,' highlighting how accents shape listener perceptions. She emphasizes the need for literature to push back against political hostility while exploring the legacies of influential theorists like Gayatri Spivak and Edward Said.