Gothic

Gothic

Gothic relates to the 'Goths' or their extinct diction, 

An East Germanic branch of Indo European clan. 

Gothic provides the earliest attempt of composition, 

First manuscript evidence of any Germanic diction. 

It's also the architectural style of West European, 

Depicts pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying stanchion. 

It has its root in French 'Gothique' & Latin 'Gothicus', 

Its design has elaborate tracery & large windows.   

It's also regarded as an unique style of literature, 

Characterized by eerie settings & grotesque structure. 

Often gloomy and mysterious, in its twist & turns,

A scary environ and unforeseen violent events. 

Vivid images of crumbling mansions lost in time,

19th-century gothic novels having brooding landscape. 

It's stories built-up an atmosphere thick with unease, 

Fear triggers that creeps in slowly, pant with wheeze. 

Gothic genre conjures most likely Western aesthetics, 

Steeped in old-world Europe, with haunted castles. 

'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole,

Often hailed as the very first Gothic novel. 

This book cracked open the door to a new literary manoeuvre, 

That would flourish across Europe and  America later. 

Edgar Allan Poe is prominent in Gothic literature, 

Known for creating plots in haunting atmosphere. 

'Father of the historical novel,' Sir Walter Scott, 

His works are known for gothic theme and element. 

Elements of Gothic fiction are rampant in many classics, 

Ghost stories, horror fiction, detective novels later replaces. 

Shirley Jackson is known for her exploration of darkness,

Disquiet themes in her novels and short stories. 

Umpteen 20th century writers reiterated Gothic themes, 

But in India what do we find as current contexts? 

Often it exists in adaptations and reinterpretations, 

It's rife in traditional Indian storytelling styles. 

Tagore's 'Hungry Stone' employs gothic elements, 

A crumbling palace and supernatural events.

Satyajit Ray's writing reveals an unique artistic vision, 

He wrote about ordinary people and familiar situations. 

His stories were great with unforgettable characters, 

Besides so many qualities he wrote uncanny ghost stories. 

Ruskin Bond gathers his inspiration from the place he stays, 

The most salient facet of his horror stories are the ghosts themselves. 

With his divine smile he says, "Our hill stations have plenty of ghosts. 

Many of them left behind by the British in dak bungalows."   

Albeit in regional diction there were many other greats, 

Reimagined in an Indian setting, the 'Gothic' motifs. 

Amazon bestseller Abhirup Dhar has carried the baton further, 

His 'Stories Are Magical', & delve into horror, 'Hold That Breath!' dear. 

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