Earlier, there were many poets for whom nature was a complete and sufficient metaphor for all of human life. Gradually, the situation has become more complex, and nature has been dislodged from its centrality. The current environmental crisis has provided an opportunity to return to nature. A large part of what is being destroyed or damaged is linked to the environment.
Today’s writer is more aware of this than before. Concern about the environment has increased worldwide and has be-come widespread in India. In literature, new trends, new questions and new proximities regarding nature are being clearly articulated. This concern has been expressed in the poems and novels of Vinod Kumar Shukla, the poetry of Dhruv Shukla and Udayan Vajpeyi, and in the works of Mangalesh Dabral, Arun Kamal, Anamika, Teji Grover, and others. These names are just a few examples.
It is difficult to narrate the history of the environment in literature. The term “environment” itself came into use only a few decades ago. There is a deep awareness of nature in Rabindranath Tagore, Chhayavadi poets and New Poetry. However, there has not been awareness about the damage being caused by the modern concept of development.
Traditionally, India has had a custom of respecting nature, honouring its sanctity, being in its proximity, and deriving spiritual satisfaction and relief from it. This tradition is being rapidly broken these days. Today’s poet witnesses this breakdown and expresses anger towards it.
I do not know the history of the environment in literature. The current circumstances are very complex, with grave misinterpretations, misconduct, atrocities, and injustices being committed in the name of tradition, religion and culture. The deterioration of the environment is part of this.
At this time when lies are popular and peddle power, literature can contribute by standing firm on truth and document-ing this deterioration with honesty and courage. Literature has always, in every country and time, addressed human concerns—joys, sorrows, experiences, emotions, and possibilities. Today, there is global concern about the environment, and its protection is an important worry.
The usefulness of literature is that it warns us by making us aware of the crises coming in life. If it brings the environment and the crises looming over it into the positive attention and awareness of readers, it will be very useful work from a humanitarian perspective.
(Ashok Vajpeyi is a poet, essayist and literary critic)
This series explores the most pressing environmental issues through the prism of literature
This article was originally published in the May 16-31, 2025 print edition of Down To Earth