Literary Trails with Dr. Kalyani Vallath

Covent Garden, West End and Foyles

The journey to the literary landscape of England definitely starts with West End and the Covent Garden. This region is synonymous to the best of theatre and performing arts. And for bibliophiles, the journey will not be complete without a visit to the Foyles, a legendary bookstore at Charing Cross Road. This class will take the viewer through these landmarks.

British Library Tour – Part I

This the first in the two-part episodes on a major landmark for book lovers visiting London – the British Library. This institution, United Kingdom’s national library, holds the record of being world’s largest with a collection of over 170 million pieces in more than 400 languages.

British Library Tour – Part II

The second part of the tour to British Library will give glimpses of its rich heritage, dating back to the 18th Century collections and amazing features like the six-storey glass tower housing King George III’s collections.

Class on how to use a library

This class is a follow up of the previous ones – the tour of British Library. This class explains the relevance of having libraries as vital cultural repositories. It also discusses how libraries and museums construct national identities.

Visit to Wordsworth Museum

The Wordsworth Museum, situated next to Dove Cottage in Grasmere, is a must visit destination for any student of English. It is dedicated to the legacy of the poet William Wordsworth. In this class, Dr. Kalyani Vallath will not just walk through the museum, but also touch upon the works of the poet and salient features of Romantic Poetry.

A tour of Keat’s House

Literary Trails stop by the Keats House next, at Hampstead, north London. The title of the class is a quote by the great Romantic poet himself, which fits in perfectly with the experience. The class will take you through important moments in Keats’ life, including the plum tree in the garden sitting under which he wrote ‘Ode to a Nightingale’.

Visit to remains of the Tintern Abbey

Tintern Abbey needs no introduction to any student of English literature. Being amidst ruins of the Tintern Abbey is a one-in-a-lifetime experience. This class will capture the amazing experience of visiting Tintern Abbey, where history blends seamlessly with literature. The class deals with memory studies and how Tintern Abbey lines should be understood against the backdrop of social and historical identities.

Class on Romantic Poetry

Starting from the origin itself, when Romanticism started as a rebellion against the culture brought in by the Industrial Revolution, this class traces the salient features of Romantic Poetry. It deals with topics like Nature and individualism. Visits to Wordworth Museum, Keats House and Tintern Abbey thus become the starting points for an indepth analysis of Romantic Poetry in English.

At the House of Frankenstein

Be prepared for a multi-sensory experience of literature at the House of Frankenstein, which also captures the immersive journey into the creative world of Mary Shelley. The class is an opening to Mary Shelley’s life, the creative legacy of her celebrated novel and contextual placement of the literary work in the timeline of history.

Class on Mary Shelly, Romantic sensibilities and Gothic novel

After the visit to the House of Frankenstein, the approach to Romantic era of literature undergoes a vast change. This class goes deeply into the role played by Mary Shelley in redesigning the Romantic sensibilities through her pioneering work in Gothic novel genre. It challenges Romaticism as a male construct. Mary Shelley dealt with science, ethics and human nature, till then handled by patriarchal society and blended it with fantasy to create the new genre. Mary Shelley’s works were cautions about human potential for creation as well as destruction.

A visit to Highgate Cemetery and thoughts on memory culture

Highgate Cemetery is a haven of symbolism. This class will ponder about the connection with Celtic mythology and the remembrance culture of English society. The wild, ivy-covered landscape adds to the haunting beauty, providing a reflective and eerie atmosphere.

Mesmerising world of Westminster Abbey

The historic Gothic church in London – Westminster Abbey – is a pilgrimage spot for literature students. Especially as it houses the famed Poets’ Corner. Witness how Dr. Kalyani Vallath gets overwhelmed with mixed emotions as she stood at the tomb of Goeffrey Chaucer. There is more to this class than just a visit, it is like being touched by history.

Some thoughts on History Studies over the Maiden Castle

History studies is all about looking deep at events that have occurred in the past and how societies and cultures evolved and most importantly, how they shape the present and future. This class deliberates on history studies while visiting Maiden Castle, in Dorset, which is one of Britain’s largest Iron Age hill forts, built around 600 BC and expanded circa 450 BC.

At the Canterbury Cathedrals

Canterbury Cathedral, founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, is one of England’s oldest and most significant Christian sites. It became a major pilgrimage destination following the 1170 murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket. The class takes the viewer through the majestic blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The class has references to works by Chaucer as well as ‘Murder in the Cathedral’, the verse play by T.S. Eliot.

Class on memory and how it works in literature and culture

Memory studies analyse how societies remember and forget their past. This class analyses how the British society worked on its collective memory – how it is conserved, preserved or even altered. It discusses literature as a cultural memory.

A glimpse of the world of Charles Dickens

This class gives the viewer an insight into the period and works of Charles Dickens, the greatest of Victorian novelists. It discusses the social situations and changes that moulded his writing and the lasting influence that Dickens had on popular culture.

On the stream of writing and its historical context

A detailed class on the work and social context of Charles Dickens’ novels. It discusses the role played by Charles Dickens as a social commentator. The class discusses how changes in the post-Industrial Revolution England became the subject and matter of Dickens’ work and how he exposed social ills and advocated reforms. Dickens’ inspiration to Enlightenment and other elements are analysed with reference to his novels.

At the Freud Museum

A visit to Freud Museum opens up a stream of thought on the life and works of Sigmund Freud and his famous psychoanalysis. This class explains how the house in London where Freud stayed till his last has been preserved and how Freud developed his system of understanding complex mechanisms of human mind.

Class on impact of Freud in how literature is understood

This class examines the impact Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and his studies had on literature and culture. Freud's theories helped literary critics uncover hidden meanings, symbolism, and themes related to repression, dreams, and sexuality. Dreams and the Unconscious Mind explained how authors worked on their characters and explained how literary works explained human psychology.

A glimpse of Newnham College

This class will tour Newnham College, founded in 1871 and which is the oldest college run by women for women. The illustrious alumni of this college that includes Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf and their connections are discussed in this class.

The enchanting world of Oxford

This class is a dream come true for every student of English. This will take you on an immersive tour through Oxford’s historic universities, capturing the timeless charm of its iconic colleges, libraries, and courtyards. This is the first part of a two-part lesson.

The tour of Oxford continues

From the grandeur of centuries-old architecture to the quiet intellectual energy of its academic spaces, the second part of this class offers a glimpse into a world where tradition meets scholarship. More than a visual journey, it is an invitation to explore the spirit of learning, curiosity, and excellence that defines Oxford.

Glimpses of Cambridge

This class will take you on a quick tour through Cambridge, showcasing its iconic colleges, serene riverbanks, and centuries-old academic legacy. From the elegance of King’s College Chapel to the quiet charm of the Backs, the video captures the rhythm of a city where history and intellect coexist.

Class on Universities and choosing the right college

This class will guide you through the options available for higher studies and how the system works. Drawing on her nearly three decades of experience, Dr Kalyani leads students seeking an academic career abroad to multiple options.

Walking along Arnold’s Dover Beach

This is one of the unforgettable experiences of a master literature class from the actual location. Dr Kalyani Vallath is leading a session on Matthew Arnold and his Dover Beach, right from the middle of the location, capturing the quiet beauty and haunting stillness of Dover Beach. As the tide moves in and out, the video mirrors Arnold’s meditation on faith, love, and the changing world, giving the viewer an enduring emotional depth of one of the most evocative landscapes in English literature.

Visiting Lyme Regis, the Pearl of Dorset

Dr. Kalyani Vallath is taking the audience to the charming world of Lyme Regis, fondly known as the “Pearl of Dorset,” providing the students with an immersive feel of the coastal town rich in beauty and history. The gentle waves, pastel houses, and winding streets create a serene yet vibrant atmosphere.

A visit to George Eliot Museum

This class by Dr Kalyani Vallath takes viewers through the George Eliot Museum, offering an intimate glimpse into the life and legacy of George Eliot. Set in her childhood home, the museum unfolds stories of her early years, intellectual growth, and the inspirations behind her enduring works.

Class introducing the Victorian age in English Poetry with focus on Matthew Arnold and George Eliot

Summing up the lessons in the previous classes, this session discusses the shifting intellectual and emotional landscape of the period, marked by doubt, faith, and social change. Through close reading and discussion, students examine Arnold’s reflective lyricism and Eliot’s profound moral vision.

Shakespeare, as seen in heart of hearts

Share the excitement and unbridled joy of standing at Stratford-upon-Avon, alongside Dr. Kalyani Vallath and Dr. Sudip N., as they relive the magical world created by the one and only Bard. Having engaged with the works of Shakespeare since her student years, Dr. Kalyani Vallath shares rare insights into one of the most impactful phases of English literature.

A detailed class on Shakespeare and his literary world

Dr. Kalyani Vallath is at her best when teaching Shakespeare, and in this 15-minute session, she takes students through the magnificent world of the Bard in her signature style. This is truly an unmissable session.

About the world and words of Jane Austen

A guided tour into the world of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved novelists in English literature, even in the modern era. This unique session offers valuable insights into the life and works of Jane Austen.

For a serious student of English literature, the works of Jane Austen are essential. Explore the nuances and critical interpretations of her rich body of literary works in this engaging session