PhD Progress Report July 2018

Here is my progress Report of Term 1 from 29/1/2018 to 29/7/2018. The topic of my research is "Contemporary Retelling of Ramayana; In Search of New Cultural Meaning."

1. Progress Report Term 1 :- 29 th January 2018 to 29 th July 2018 Research Scholar (Ph.D.):- Vaidehi Hariyani Date:- 15/7/2018 Guide:- Dr.Dilip Barad Department of English,MKBU

2. Topic of Research “Contemporary Retellings of Ramayana Myth; In Search of New Cultural Meaning.”

3. •Finding of study resources for Coursework:- The required study resources were listed and procured through Libraries like MKBU University library, Department of English library and “Tulsi Ghat” library Mahuva. Also procured through individual capacity through online shopping sites like Amazon and Flipkart. There are 16 books as a Secondary source for Paper 2 and 17 books as Primary source for Paper 3.

4. •Searching and Identifying other Print and Online Sources:- Besides coursework study sources, I have visited the library and also searched online on computer. I have identified approx. 30 Print resources including books, Ph.D. thesis, articles etc. and approx. 40 online sources such as websites, web sources, online journals, YouTube videos of authors, interviews, play etc. for the purpose of Literature Review. Still the search is on.

5. •Reading of Coursework Content:- 1. In Paper 1 (Research Methodology) Importance of research, How to cite sources, Difference between Academic and Non-Academic Writing has been referred. The chapters from Richard Altick’s “The Art of Literary Research” is in progress. 2. In Paper 2 the reference books on Introduction to Cultural Studies and Theory of Deconstruction by Jacques Derrida has been read. Reading books on Feminist theory is going on. 3. In Paper 3 the novels like Amish Tripathi’s “Scion of Ikshvaku ” and “ Sita : The Warrior”, Kavita Kane’s “Lanka’s Princess” and “ Sita’s Sister” has been read. “The Agony of Sita ” by Dr.Malinee is in progress. 4. For clearing the base, reading of Valmiki’s “Ramayana” and Tulsidas’s “Ramcharitmanas” is in progress.

6. •Classes on Coursework:- From the date of registration, every weekend I have attended the classes on Coursework. Here is some information about special sessions during coursework. 1. On 19th February attended the first class on Coursework conducted by Dr.Dilip Barad Sir on Plagiarism, Evaluation of online resources and technicalities of research writing. 2. On 13th April attended a class and got guidance for my topic in detail. The class was organized by Dr.Dilip Barad Sir and Prof.Nagindas Sanghavi Sir. 3. On 11th March Dr.Mansukh Gaijan Sir gave us guidance about basics of Research Methodology.

7. •Conference and Workshop:- Successfully attend a National Workshop on Translating Gujarati Literature in English: Practices and Approaches on 22 and 23rd March organized by Department of English, Faculty of Arts, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara. As the “Ramayana” myth is originally written in Sanskrit and what we have is translation in English and other languages. This workshop was helpful to read the translation comparing with the original . Also it helped a lot to find out authentic translations of the text. The workshop as well as my guide Dr.Dilip Barad Sir helped me to locate an important site on “Ramayana” and “Ramcharitmanas” managed and developed by IIT Kanpur.

8. •Enrollment in an Online Course:- Enrolled myself into an Online Course organized by Harvard University on “Religion, Conflict and Peace” on edx.org. This course brings in the field of Cultural Studies which is the literary base of my research. This course ends on 8th January 2019. The online course will help in better understanding. It is in Progress.

9. •Assignments and Presentations as a part of Coursework:- The assignments and presentations for Paper 1, 2 and 3 is in progress. It will be submitted by the end of July.

10. Thank You