Don’t Call Me Indo-Anglian MCQ Quiz : 20 Questions

Don’t Call Me Indo-Anglian MCQ Quiz : Syed Amanuddin’s poem “don’t call me indo-anglian” reflects his struggle with identity and the rejection of labels placed on writers of Indian origin writing in English. Born in Mysore and later settled in America, Amanuddin carried both Indian cultural roots and the influence of the West. Yet, he felt disturbed when he was categorised as an “Indo-Anglian”, a term he believed diluted his individuality. Throughout the poem, he expresses strong displeasure toward labels and hyphens that divide people on the basis of language, culture, race and region. His protest is conveyed through an unconventional style, without punctuation, showing intensity and urgency of his emotions.

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The poet recalls the memories of Mysore by mentioning the river Cauvery, Chamundi hills and Brindavan fountains, which display his deep connection with Indian soil. However, he does not limit himself within these boundaries. He imagines himself flying across cultures, reading Kalidasa and Kabir, travelling spiritually with Dante, reflecting with Khayyam, feeling the pain of Ghalib and even drowning with Li Po under the moon’s reflection. These references show that literature for him is a global space, not confined to nationality.

Amanuddin claims that though he writes in English, the language of Shakespeare and Keats, it does not make him Anglo or Indo-Anglian. He asserts that his true identity is that of a poet. The poem ends with a bold declaration where the poet says he has lived for “forty centuries under various names”, but now he is simply Amanuddin. The poem stands as a revolt against rigid literary classifications and celebrates the universal spirit of creativity. For him, poetry is beyond labels and boundaries.