Assistant Professor at Woxsen University, India
Mrs. Pritha Chakraborty is an Assistant Professor at Woxsen University, India, with a strong academic foundation in English Literature and Comparative Studies. She is currently completing her Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, where her research delves into the representation of the river Ganga in South Asian mythology, folklore, and fiction. Her work reflects a nuanced understanding of cultural narratives, particularly focusing on the intersections between environmental humanities, folklore studies, and marginalized communities. With a deep commitment to her teaching and research roles, Mrs. Chakraborty’s contributions continue to enhance scholarly dialogues within South Asian Studies and Environmental Humanities.
Profile
ORCID
Education
Mrs. Chakraborty’s academic journey began with her Bachelor’s degree in English (Hons.) from West Bengal State University, where she graduated in 2013. She pursued her Master’s in English and Comparative Literature at Pondicherry University, achieving an exceptional CGPA of 9.84 in 2015. Her academic excellence continued with her doctoral studies at IIT Kanpur, where she has submitted her Ph.D. thesis in English Literature, awaiting her defense in July 2024. Her Ph.D. research focuses on the representation of the river Ganga in mythology, fiction, and folklore, highlighting human-nature relationships and environmental perspectives. Her thesis has received significant recognition, evident in her outstanding CGPA of 9.67. Additionally, Mrs. Chakraborty cleared the UGC NET in English in July 2018, further establishing her qualifications as a researcher and educator.
Experience
Mrs. Chakraborty’s teaching and research experience spans several prestigious institutions in India. Since December 2018, she has been working as a doctoral research scholar at IIT Kanpur, where she has taught courses like “Introduction to Literature” and “Communication Skills” as a tutor for undergraduate students. Her responsibilities also included guiding students in the “English Language and Communication Skills” course, demonstrating her versatile teaching abilities.
Before her doctoral studies, Mrs. Chakraborty served as a Research Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), IISc Bangalore, from 2017 to 2018. In this role, she contributed to the Education Programme under the guidance of Prof. Anitha Kurup. She also has experience working as a guest lecturer in English Literature at Gurudas College, West Bengal, from 2015 to 2017, where she taught undergraduate students, further refining her teaching expertise.
Research Interest
Mrs. Chakraborty’s research interests lie at the intersection of South Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, and Environmental Humanities. Her Ph.D. research focuses on the various representations of the river Ganga across mythology, folklore, and fiction, with an emphasis on marginalized communities in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. By analyzing the cultural, ecological, and spiritual dimensions of the river, she sheds light on human-nonhuman relationships, vulnerability, and the socio-cultural narratives that shape these interactions. She has collected folk narratives and traditions, aiming to present a holistic view of the river Ganga’s significance in mythology and modern life. Her interdisciplinary approach, combining folklore studies, cultural theory, and environmental perspectives, makes her research highly relevant in today’s socio-environmental discourse.
Awards
Mrs. Chakraborty’s academic achievements have been consistently recognized. She was awarded a Summer School Stipendium by the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in 2008 for her participation in the International Perspectives in Early Childhood Intervention. Her strong academic record, combined with her fieldwork and research, positions her as a promising researcher in South Asian and Environmental Humanities. Furthermore, her teaching roles and involvement in various research projects highlight her dedication and contribution to academic excellence.
Publications
Mrs. Chakraborty has authored several high-impact publications in peer-reviewed international journals. Her research offers critical insights into folklore, mythology, and environmental studies, with a focus on marginalized narratives. Below are six of her key publications:
Chakraborty, Pritha. “The Goddess of Ambiguity: Representations of Power and Exploitation in Ketakadas Kshemananda’s Manasamangal.” Nidan: International Journal for Indian Studies, 2021. Link
Chakraborty, Pritha. “Living with the river: Analysing aspects of vulnerability and human-nonhuman relationship in The Boatman of the Padma and The Ganga.” River Fiction of India: Intersectional Flows of Narratives, Geographies, and Histories, Routledge, 2023. [Accepted]
Chakraborty, Pritha. “Songs of a River: Analysing the Bhatiali Songs of Bengal.” IGNCA, 2023. [Accepted]
Chakraborty, Pritha. “Mangalkavyas and the Acculturation of Medieval Bengal: Analysing the Integration of Puranic and Folk Goddesses in the Folk Epics.” South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 2024. [Accepted] (Scopus Q1)
Chakraborty, Pritha, and Shalini Dixit. “Unveiling the Counternarratives of Ganga: Ganga as Goddess in the Sundarbans.” Religion, 2024. [Accepted] (Scopus Q1)
Chakraborty, Pritha. “Folklore of the River Ganga: A Cultural Analysis.” Journal of South Asian Folklore Studies, 2023. [Published]
Conclusion
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mrs. Pritha Chakraborty’s extensive research on South Asian Studies, with a particular focus on mythology, folklore, and environmental humanities, positions her as a valuable asset to the academic community. Her work on the representations of the river Ganga and the cultural narratives of marginalized communities reveals her dedication to social relevance and scholarly rigor. Despite a few areas where she can broaden her academic reach and impact, her impressive body of work, both published and forthcoming, makes her a suitable and deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her innovative contributions, particularly in South Asian cultural studies and folklore, not only advance academic knowledge but also provide meaningful insights into the human-nature relationship in a rapidly changing world.