Akhil P. Veetil

My dissertation project examines how Hindi-speaking intellectuals reconstructed a Hindi linguistic identity in early postcolonial India. The period between 1948 and 1970 represented the height of language politics nationally and resulted in challenges to Hindi’s ambition as a pan-Indian language. My dissertation explores how Hindi-speaking politicians and literary critics adapted to these challenges by seeking new concepts to redefine Hindi as a language and identity. My research engages with the history of postcolonial South Asia, the history of emotions, literary criticism, and multilingualism.  

Year entered

2019