Current Perspectives in Indian English Literature

Indian Writing in English has undoubtedly acquired its own independent identity; it no more remains mere imitative and derivative. Its long journey from colonial to post-colonial, from imperial to democratic and from English to Hinglish forms a remarkable chapter in the history of world literature. Tagore earned the first recognition and Naipaul is the recent laureate. In between these Nobel Laureates came a number of writers whose work earned worldwide appreciation.

The present book is an attempt to present the different genres of Indian Writing in English. It aims at tracing its distinctive features, such as Cultural alienation, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, Modernism etc. While Nehru has furnished ‘the best English' to the globe, Amitav Ghosh, Shashi Tharoor, Arundhati Roy, Shiv K. Kumar and Dattani have stirred the West with their great works. The works of these renowned literary figures have been considered thoroughly and meticulously in the present book.

It is hoped that while the student community will find it easily accessible, the teachers will also consider it exciting study material.

G. S. Jha, M.A. in English and Hindi, LL.B., is posted as Head, Department of English, RF. Govt. College, Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh. He has done his Research work on American Literature (Fitzgerald). With a rich experience of teaching of over twenty years, he has been guiding research scholars. He has been awarded with Associate-ship of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. He is Editor of prestigious literary journals such as Reflections, Martha, Poesy, Charcha and Spectrum. Besides, he is member of the Editorial Board of international literary journals like Pegasus, Titas, etc.

I think, and I am sure, it is not fair to be crazy about all the upheavals of the World Literature, but, it is, no doubt, wise to be cautious of one’s own; yes, I am talking of Indian English Writing; I am pretty sure that it deserves to be called ‘our own.’ Gone are the days when it was termed as ‘imitative and derivative;’ by now it has acquired its own independent identity. Its long journey, that is, from colonial to post- colonial, from imperial to democratic and from English to Hinglish, forms a remarkable chapter in the history of world literature. Tagore earned the first recognition (though Derozio was the first initiator) and Naipaul is the recent laurel. In between these two Nobel laureates came so many writers, their works and worldwide appreciation. In such an alluring phase, one is most likely to be fascinated towards it and so am I.

All the critical writings culled up and presented in this book explain different genres of Indian English Writing whereas some important aspects of selected writers project their entire persona in miniature. Right from the outset we may trace a few things as its distinctive feature, for instance, cultural alienation is the first thing that strikes us which finally results in East-West encounter, identity crisis, nostalgic outbursts, etc. Some of these writers are trendsetters and exhibit the influence of Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, etc. or for that matter any ‘ism.’ Beginning in the Colonial period, its post-Colonial traits substantiate to a great extent its onward march. On the one hand, we have Nehru who has furnished ‘the best English’ to the globe, on the other, we have Amitav Ghosh and Shashi Tharoor with their transnational and multicultural approach. Arundhati Roy is another name that has stirred the West with her single novel. Besides, diaspora writers have a major say and Naipaul rules over them. In the realm of poetry, Tagore’s oblivious world minus Gitanjali and Naidu’s repeated interrogations stun us whereas humanism and confessionalism of New Poets like Shiv K. Kumar subscribe to our acute psychic awareness. Indian English drama, though a non-entity (this is what I feel), came into prominence with Tagore, and Dattani is the recent voice with his access to the virgin recesses. These stances have been considered thoroughly and meticulously in the papers presented here; I am sure, you would appreciate my sincere endeavour, and that would be the only compliment one craves for.

**Contents and Sample Pages**