Indian English literature has attained a high regard in the literary world today. The distinctive fact about Indian writing in English is that the stories reflect the country’s unique culture, tradition, values and social norms. It captures the Indian spirit and way of life of Indians living in the homeland or elsewhere. Indian English fiction and non-fiction books on Bookscape.com are also at the forefront of trying to embody the Indian experience of modern challenges. In short, Indian writing can be summed up as literary works created in English adapted to Indian conditions.
Indian novelists are the most prolific creators of literary works in English and are the force behind putting India on the world literature map. It all began with the emergence of East India Company and the rising influence of the English language. In 1739, the breakthrough in Indian English literature came when Sake Dean Mahomet published a book in London titled Travels of Dean Mahomet. This was essentially Mahomet’s travel narrative that was something of a travelogue. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay published Rajmohan's Wife in 1864, making it the first Indian novel written in English. It earned tremendous admiration as one of the prominent Indian English novels.
English was the language of our intellectual expression but there were some aspects of emotional expression that did not consider this language as an adequate conduit. Indian writers were mostly bilingual, speaking English and their mother tongue. Over time, this alien tongue was assimilated with a strong Indian flavour to give it a distinctive and colourful style that is very Indian. Indian English books like novels, poetry and more are set against Indian social sense.
Indian English novels are influenced by Indian history, culture and social norms. While Indian writers craft novels and other literary works in English, it is only natural for their English to carry strains of their native tongue. Here are some common features of Indian Writing in English:
If you have questions about great Indian writing books, Bookscape has you covered. With over a million titles from 700+ publishers and an ever-growing catalogue, you’re sure to find your next favourite Indian English novel here. Bookscape is home to the greatest Indian English literature books ever written and it should be your one-stop shop for buying books online at best prices. We can help you navigate through the wide world of Indian writers’ books, be it poems, novels and more. Let us answer some popular questions in choosing the best Indian fiction and non-fiction books:
Mulk Raj Anand (12th December 1905 – 28th September 2004) was one of the first Indian English writers who wrote novels and short stories using Punjabi and Hindustani idioms in English. He gained an international readership for his Indo-Anglican fiction that portrayed the weaker sections of traditional Indian society. This is why he was also called India’s Charles Dickens.
The literary trio - Mulk Raj Anand, Rajo Rao and R. K. Narayan are hailed as the “founding fathers” of the Indian English novel. Coolie is Mulk Raj Anand’s most celebrated work based on British atrocity and India’s caste hierarchy. His other works like The Village, Untouchable, Across the Black Waters and The Sword and the Sickle are known as essays on unjust social conditions.
India Speaks, The Hindu View of Art, the King-Emperor's English, Seven Summers, Death of a Hero, Bombay, Ajanta, Seven Little Known Birds of the Inner Eye and Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana are his major contributions to English literature.
Kamala Das – The Mother Of Modern Indian English Poetry was a Malayali and English writer, who wrote with remarkable candour on love, sexuality, menstruation, puberty and other taboo topics. She was considered a robust feminist voice and was often compared to her contemporaries like Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton credited to her confessional writing.
Three pillars of Indian novels in English are Mulk Raj Anand, R. K. Narayan and Raja Rao. This epithet was coined by the noted English critic William Walse.
Indian English literature written in the last 150 years is said to have undergone three phases: imitative, assimilative and experimental. Authors of Indo English literature were in the imitative phase between 1850-1900 when they were heavily inspired by British authors. The time from 1900-1947 is considered the assimilative period when Indian English authors attempted to assimilate elements of British romantics and the Indian renaissance, which heavily factored in the political freedom of 1947. Experimental works by Indian English writers were the literary du jour of post-independence India. It established its own character and voice, and has made its own place in the realm of world literature.
While the seed of Indian writing in English took root during the British rule in this country, it has been tended to with care by gardeners like Rabindranath Tagore, Khushwant Singh, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kamala Das to name a few exceptional Indian authors. Today, the garden of Indian literature in English has blossomed into a lush landscape that’s abundant. Here are some of the gems from this garden:
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Indian English Literature is full of native literary geniuses that are the stalwarts of Indian culture and voice. Indian Writers – poets, novelists, essayists and dramatists are highly regarded for their contributions to world literature. Their works give a glimpse of India’s rich and diverse culture, tradition, social and moral values and even Indian history to capture the lifestyle and culture of Indians. Here are some Indian English fiction and non-fiction writers who do the country proud:
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