In a sense Kunwar Narain comes from a tradition of literature, which while it shared a modern scepticism of didacticism, did not wholly give up on the deeply transformative potential of art. It did not allow the romance of the fact to sideline deep questions about moral psychology, the nature of the self, questions of value, and transcendence. As a new sense of moral vertigo, disorder and confusion descend upon us, it is an open question: what kind of literature will enrich us most? But we will not be in a position to make those choices if we cling to an avoidable mono-lingualism, and a set of narrow standards to judge what is truly important.

The writer is president, Centre for Policy Research, Delhi

express@expressindia.com