'Traces the genealogy of Australian poetry, from inception to present times. In the course of the study of Australian verse it focuses on the diametrically opposed thematic concerns of two poets.
The first of them, Kenneth Slessor, whose nihilism is all pervading, is treated as one of Australia's first modern poets. His work is a composite of antithetical elements that co-exist to reveal complex interfaces between the inner emergence of an artistic moment and the external experience of a verbal poetic artefact that disturbs and fascinates.
Les Murray contrastingly, writing in the comic vein, examines and interrogates issues associated with Australian society, the land and its inhabitants. He presents the reader with definite parameters of what falls within the umbrella of Australian-ness.
The study of Slessor and Murray's poetry has been perceived from an Indian's perspective, eliciting from a personal repertoire of cultural and philosophical heritage. Thereby, the book is peppered with spontaneous observations of the author which are inserted whenever Slessor and Murray evoke reflections of Indian thought.' (vii-viii)
My debt to Parvinder is of a long standing nature
and goes well beyond the encouragement of
this book. Cookie and Jivitesh have been
great anchors and are always there
when I need them.
Thanks are due to Sharda whose skill made
the task of editing less of a care and more
of a pleasure. Hiteshwar and Gauhar
who are my source of strength
and my weakness.
My utmost gratitude to my parents
for their unconditional
love and support.
