sign in sign up
<<
Home , Anita Nair, Anurag Anand, Arun Joshi

International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies

Journal homepage: http://www.eltsjournal.org

Indian Postmodern English Novels: A Diachronic Survey [PP: 63-76]

M. Subha Bharathi Women’s College, ,

Dr. T. Jayasudha Bharathi Women’s College, Chennai, India

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History The Indian literary scenario, after 1980, is typically The paper received postmodern in all walks of life as it has been with the rest of on: 19/02/2014 the world. There are a number of rationales that have gone Accepted after peer- into the making of it. And its outcome has also been multi- review on: 02/06/2014 directional. In India, more than post world war Published on: 01/09/2014 circumstances, postcolonial pressures have played a crucial

Keywords: and unique role. It is a fact that a genre called Indian Writing in English is unlimitedly and enormously flourished and Indian Novels, Diachronic continues to do so only during this period i.e. after 1980 to Survey, Postmodern Novels, 2010. Under this background, this paper documents Translated Indian Novels, Postmodern Indian English Novel highlighting its past, and Indian Criticism. other aspects like Translated (regional vernacular) Novels into English, and the contemporary books on criticism.

Suggested Citation: Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014

1. Introduction wrest a meaning from the world through This study aims at consolidating the Indian myth, symbol, or formal complexity, the English Literature after 1980. There are a post modernist greets the absurd or number of books produced by literary meaningless confusion of contemporary stalwarts like Srinivasa Iyengar, C. D. existence with a certain numbed or flippant indifference, favouring self-consciously Narasimmaiya, M. K. Naik etc., explaining ‘depthless’ works of fabulation, pastiche, the beginning and the progress up to 1980. bricolage, or aleatory disconnections But till date, tentative compilation is lacking described above …(P: 174-175) and this paper will be handy for a briefing In India, post 1980 is described as the over the contemporary literary pedalling of postmodern period. After 1980s, India around three and a half decades. Apart from realized itself as a multi-cultural, Multi- the deficit of proper published source of ethnic, Multi-lingual, Post-colonial, and works consulted than Wikipedia, every now Postmodern nation. Its past evolves out of the and then, periodically this kind of history is King’s Regime, failure of one kingdom lead mandatory. to the success of another. The fall of the Postmodernism is the term used to Mughal Empire paved way for the denote the depiction of life after world war-II establishment of East India Company. The in Art, Literature and Culture and the kind of British Colonisers entered India for trading, changes that manifested due to this in all but gradually established colonial rule in walks of life across the world. Postcolonial India. India was one of the British colonized features also come under this account. The countries nearly for two centuries. During the depiction finds place in fine arts, time of colonial regime, Lord Macaulay architecture, literature, philosophy, ethics, introduced English Education in India in culture, custom etc. The study of these 1835. Coincidentally, it was during the same features and its consequent outcome in man’s time that the formal education system in creations, foregrounding fragmentation, and England was also established. a sense of alienation is postmodernism. The Literary history is tightly intertwined Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms with the social history of India. Previously (1990) explains the features of too, India had education system called postmodernism in literature as: ‘Gurukula’. India had rich cultural and Post modernity is said to be a culture of economical heritage. Sanskrit was the fragmentary sensations, eclectic nostalgia, medium of education; ‘the Ramayana’ and disposable simulacra, and promiscuous ‘the Mahabharatha’ were the ancient epics. superficiality, in which the traditionally valued qualities of depth, coherence, The major drawback during the ancient meaning, originality, and authenticity are period was the four divisions of caste system evacuated or dissolved amid the random which divided the people of India. To add swirl of empty signals…. Postmodernism fuel to the fire, Mughal and British people may be seen as a continuation of found inroads in India. At this juncture, India modernism’s alienated mood and had various languages. They included Tamil, disorienting techniques and at the same Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, time as an abandonment of its determined Persian, English etc. The introduction of quest for artistic coherence in a fragmented English as the ruler’s language as the world: in very crude terms, where a medium of official and administrative modernist artist or writer would try to Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 64

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 communication gained supremacy. Ram Gradually, Indian writers outgrew imitation Mohan Roy heralded the advent of English and found their own ethos and emotions Language and Rajaji recommended it. expressed in their artifacts. 1960 to 1980 was As Gandhiji remarked, language is to the time of transition from Indian Modernism say what you want to say, use whatever the to Postmodernism. In the year 1981, Indian language that comes in handy and Diasporic writer Salman Rushdie’s accomplish the task (Iyengar, 1994). In the “Midnight’s Children” announced the birth early phase of Indian Writing in English, of Postmodernism with its unique magical- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and realism. Madhusudhan Dutt repented for having made 2. Themes of Earlier Indian Novels in a wrong beginning with English Language as English they found the ambience was not to be Though an imported form, it deals favourable. But later on, particularly the with the story of an Indian, or Indian child second generation, after Independence, life, or a native Christian’s life. Even prior to started using English to expose their this, Bible was translated by the Christian creativity to the world not only to their local missionaries. It was an important event in the reading audiences. Thus, ‘Indian Writing in annals of history of Indian writing in English. English’, evolved gradually as a subdivision Freedom struggle, East-west encounter, of English Literature as well as Indian allusion to Indian history, allusion to Indian Literature. mythology, abolition of ‘sati’ system, As K. R. Srinivasa Iyengar (1994) highlighting lingual, ethnic, religious, caste opined: it (Indian Writing in English) should clashes along with the deep-rooted feel like Indian literature to an Indian reader corruption, and eroding ethical system are and should read like English for an English some areas that novels portray. The novels reader. In the year 1913, Tagore proved even covered the success story of Indian men and a century ago that an Indian, whose mother women, both in India as well as abroad, and tongue is any one of the Indian Languages, their utter failures too. can write and excel in English by receiving It is the multi ethnic and multi Nobel Prize for Literature. Indian Writing in cultural backdrop that provided something English primarily deals with the emotions for every reader. Indian novelists could and experiences of an Indian, expressed broadly be divided into patriots, non-patriots through the medium of English. Undeniably, and re-patriots. Indian Diaspora cannot be it is the Standard written English that is used strictly expected to be patriotic. So their unlike the various non-standard registers that staunch criticism on India like India: a are used in England. Initially, when Indian Million Mutinies Now, and India: an Area of writers started writing in English, from 1864 Darkness of V. S. Naipaul were banned in up to 1930, it was the period of imitation. India. Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses also They imitated the English authors like Defoe, had a similar fate. And there are a few who Fielding etc. Particularly it is the Victorians have lived overseas for a while, before they who influenced Indian writers. From 1930 to got back to India. 1960, it was the period of Indian freedom An Indian writer has no alternative struggle. During this time, Gandhian waves but to manipulate English to his requirement. filled the writings. East-West encounter was He communicates to the universe crossing the predominating theme of the times. national boundaries. Language is a boon for Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 65

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 an Indian to make his expression self- Man-Eater of Malgudi (1961), The Vendor of sufficient. Novel is a long narrative in prose Sweets (1967), The Painter of Signs (1977), with plot, sub-plot, characterization, theme A Tiger for Malgudi (1983), Talkative etc. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Man (1986), The World of Nagaraj (1990), Rajmohan’s Wife (1864) is the first Indian and Grandmother's Tale (1992). novel in English. It is noticeable that when ’s Kanthapura (1938) tells Modernism was the trend in the world the story of the village kanthapur. His Literature, India produced its first novel in Serpent and the Rope (1960) won the English. Anandamath was the second novel. coveted Sahitya Akademy Award. Cat and It had “Vande Mataram” the Indian patriotic Shakespeare is also his notable work. He song. Then came Krishna Punt’s Bay of exposed Gandhianism and Advaidik concept Bengal, Kandan, Filler, Toru Dutt’s Bianca, in the novels. Society was the main concern Jogendra Singh’s Nur Jahan and for these writers. They wrote to enlighten Madhusudhan Dutt’s Kamarupa and their society. wrote So Kamalata. Toru Dutt was the major literary Many Hungers (1947), Music for Mohini figure of the times. Till 1930, it was an (1952), He who Rides a Tiger (1952), A imitation of British Literature and also had Goddess Named Mohini (1960), Shadows historical romances. from Ladakh (1966). At this time, Manohar Then came the major trio: Mulk Raj Malgonkar also depicted social reality in his , R.K. and Raja Rao. Mulk Distant Drum (1960), The Princess (1963), Raj Anand was a social realist highlighting Bandicot Run (1982), and The Devil’s Mind the inexpressible burden and sufferings of the (1972). lower strata people. His novels include: (1934 - ) is an Indian Untouchable (1935), and Coolie (1936). writer of British descent. In 1992, he Backha and Munoo are the exact examples of received the , India's working class children. He depicted the National Academy Award for Literature, for contemporary reality acutely. As the writers his short story collection, Our Trees Still of this period belong to a particular high- Grow in Dehra. He was awarded the Padma class Indian society, they empathised the Shri in 1999 for contributions to children's untouchables of India. The Bubble (1984), literature. He now lives with his adopted Little plays of Mahatma Gandhi (1991), Nine family in Landour, near Mussoorie. His first Moods of Bharata: Novel of a Pilgrimage are novel is The Room on the Roof (1956), the his later novels. semi-autobiographical story of the orphaned R.K. Narayan created a world called Anglo-Indian boy, Rusty. It won the ‘Malgudi’ like Thomas Hardy’s Wessex. 1957 John Llewellyn Rhys prize, awarded to Hailing from middle-class, all his characters a British Commonwealth writer under 30. He and their living revolve around bourgeois life wrote Vagrants in the Valley, as a sequel though the portrayed life was a caricature. to The Room on the Roof. His novel, The His novels are: Swami and Friends (1935), Flight of Pigeons (2003), has been adapted The Bachelor of Arts (1937), The Dark into the film Junoon. The Room on the Room (1938), The English Teacher (1945), Roof has been adapted into a BBC-produced Mr. Sampath (1948), The Financial TV series. In 2007, the Expert (1952), Waiting for the director Vishal Bhardwaj made a film based Mahatma (1955), (1958), The on his popular novel for children, The Blue Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 66

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014

Umbrella. The movie won the National important novelist who wrote Train to Award for Best Children's film. Some of his Pakistan (1956), I Shall not Hear the notable novels include: The Room on the Nightingale (1959), and (1992). Roof, Vagrants in the Valley, Scenes from a Balchandra Rajan also wrote The Dark Writer's Life, A Flight of Pigeons(2003), Dancer (1959), Too Long in the West (1961). Landour Days– A writers Journal, The Sudhindranath Bose explored Indian ethos in Sensualist by Ruskin Bond, The Road To The And Gazelles Leaping (1949), Cradle of the Bazaar, The Panther's Moon, Once Upon A Clouds (1951), The Vermillion Boat (1953), Monsoon Time, The India I love, The and The Flame of the Forest (1955). And Kashmiri Storyteller, The Blue Umbrella, G.V. Desani wrote All About Hatter (1948). The Tiger In The Tunnel, Delhi is Not Far, With the arrival of and Animal Stories, Funny side up, Ruskin Arun Joshi (1939-1993) on the scene, the Bond`s Children Omnibus, Angry River, depiction switched from society to Roads To Mussoorie, and All Roads Lead To individuals. The Indian novel in English Ganga. found a new dimension. Anita Desai is an Ruth Prawar Jabwala and Kamala expatriate living abroad. Arun Joshi’s novels Markandaya joined the bandwagon sooner. include: The Foreigner, The Strange Case of Ruth Prawar Jabwala mocked Billy Biswas, The Apprentice, The Last marriage system, and the poor conditions of Labyrinth, and The City and the River. Indian women. She wrote To Whom She Will Chaman Nahal , another notable novelist, (1955), The Nature of Nassan (1956), The wrote My True Faces (1973), Into Another House Holders (1960), Esmond in India Dawn (1977), Azadi (1975), which won (1958), A New Dominion (1973), Heat and Sahitya Akademy Award for the year 1977, Dust (1975), and In Search of Love and The English Queens (1979), Crown and the Beauty (1983). On the other hand, Nayantara Loincloth (1981), The City and the River Sahgal depicted political themes, sexual (1990), The Triumph of the Tricolour (1993), freedom, erosion of moral values and Epilogue (1993), and The Salt of Life (1993). disillusionment in India’s past and present. In the Postmodern novels of 1980s, Her novels include: A Time to be Happy there are different modes of narrative (1958), Plans for Departure (1958), This techniques. They project social realism, Time of Morning (1968), Storm in mythical realism, historical romance, magical Chandigarh (1969), The Day in Shadow realism, buildungsroman, etc. Salman (1971), A Situation in New Delhi (1977), Rushdie, V. S. Naipaul, Amitav Gosh, (1985), Plans for Departure Taslima Nasrin, Vasanji, Chitra Banerjee (1985), Mistaken Identity (1988), Lesser Divakaruni, Anita Desai, Kiran Desai, Breeds (2003). Kamala Markandaya wrote Bharati Mukherjee, Suketu Mehta, Vandana Nectar in a Sieve (1954), Some Inner Fury Singh, Bharti Kirchner, Amit Chaudhuri, (1955), Possession (1963), A Silence of Rohinton Mistry, Gita Mehta, Dina Mehta, Desire (1960), A Handful of Rice (1966), The Indira Ganesan, Uma Vasudeva, Namita Coffer Dams (1969), The Nowhere Man Gokhale, Jhumpa Lahiri, Vikram Chandra, (1972), Two Virgins (1973), Golden Honey Manil Suri, Richard Gasta, Siddharth Comb (1977), Pleasure City (1980), and Rich Dhanwan, Shanghvi, Rana Das Gupta are Like Us (1985). These novels depicted the Indian Diasporic writers who live overseas. social reality. was another They have neither the roots nor the Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 67

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 destination. They have two worlds one of the surgeons. Swaminathan won the 2009 past and another of the present. They Vodafone (Fiction) celebrate their “in-betweenness” that is for Venus Crossing: Twelve Stories of postmodernity. The Postmodern men and Transit. women disregard their sense of (1961 - ) is a writer belongingness and resort to celebrate and cum political activist. Her God of Small glorify even their despair at the cost of Things (1997) won Man Booker Prize for the material comforts. year 1998. But it carries unrestrained 3. Award Winning Indian Novels of Post description of sex. It is the most 1980 acknowledged novel of the time. The The following postmodern novels extreme oppression of an Indian woman won Sahitya Academy Award. In the year finds extreme exposure (erotic) in this novel. 1982, Arun Joshi won for The Last This extremity is another aspect of Labyrinth. In 1986, ’s Rich postmodern novels. Centre fails to hold the Like Us, in 1988 The Golden Gate by extremities. She lives in New Delhi. She was , in 1989 Amitav Gosh’s The awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award (2006), Shadow Lines, in 1990 Sashi Deshpande’s and a national award by India's Academy of That Long Silence, in 1996 ’s Letters for her collection of essays on , in 2000 ’s contemporary issues. Githa Hariharan’s , in 2004 The Mammaries of the (1954 - ) first novel The Thousand Faces of Welfare State by , in Night, won the Commonwealth Writer’s 2006 The Sari Shop by , in 2007 Prize in 1993. Disorderly Women by , and in Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger 2010 The Book of Rachel by won the Booker Prize in the year 2008, and it received the awards. It is notable that the depicts the complications involved in the Sahitya Academy Award is conferred to the upward mobility of an Indian best novels written in English by Residents underprivileged and the role of corruption. as well as Non-Residents of India [The NRIs Apart from Man Booker Prize and who received the award are: In 1991 The Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, and Sahitya Trotter Nama by (NRI), in 2002 Akademy Award to gauge the excellence of A New World by Amit Chaudhuri (NRI)]. the contemporary writings that hail from The Hindu Literary Prize Award was started India, there is the Hindu Best Fiction Award in the year 2011. It was won by and Vodafone Crossword Book Award too. for Serious Men, Rahul Bhattacharya for The These prizes enable academicians as well as Sly Company of People Who Care and Jerry critics to pick out the best and work on it. Pinto for in the year 4. Other Postmodern Indian Novelists 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively. Vodafone Sashi Deshpande (1938 - ) is another Crossword Award plays multi-dimensional award winning postmodern Indian novelist. task: it is awarded for best translation (from She has authored nine novels till date. They regional to English), best fiction, best are The Dark Holds No Terror (1980), which children’s book etc. Kalpana Swaminathan explains the futility of a women’s marriage (born 1956) is a writer from . She and the realization that she need not be a also writes with Ishrat Syed as Kalpish dependant on her husband. That Long Ratna. Swaminathan and Syed are both Silence (1980) won Sahitya Akademi and Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 68

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 brought Padma Shri Award in 2009 to the Suitable Boy (1993), An Equal Music (1999) author. It narrates the frustrations of marital and A Suitable Girl (2013). In 1994 he won life of Jaya, and her utter failure to be close Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall to her husband, it depicts the plight of the Winner, Best Book) for A Suitable Boy. In educated Indian women of the current era. If 1994, he received WH Smith Literary Award I Die Today (1982), Come Up and Be Dead for A Suitable Boy. In 1999, he got (1983) are crime novels. Roots and Shadows Crossword Book Award for An Equal Music. was published in 1983. She presents women In 2001, he won EMMA (BT Ethnic and who negotiate the trials of relationship in Multicultural Media Award) for Best Small Remedies (2000), A Matter of Time Book/Novel An Equal Music. (2001), and The Binding Wine (2002). In Lakshmi Raj Sharma (1954 - ) is an Moving On (2004) she presents the illicit author, novelist, and academician. He teaches desire of widowhood. Country of Deceit English literature and literary theory. He is (2008) deals with extramarital love. currently a Professor at the Department of Shobhaa De (1948 - ), is a freelance English and Modern European Languages at writer, columnist and novelist. Her novels the University of Allahabad, Allahabad. His are Second Thoughts (1996), Starry novel- The Tailor's Needle (2009) is a Nights (1989), and Socialite Evenings postmodern historiographic Metafiction. (1989). (1956- ) is the Indian Irwin Allan Sealy (1951- ) is a writer Minister of State for Human Resource born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He Development, Member of Parliament from has worked in Canada, the USA, New Thiruvanandhapuram, , and a Zealand and Australia. His first novel The columnist. He is a writer, diplomat and Trotter Nama: A Chronicle (1988) tells the politician. His first novel is The Great Indian story of seven generations of an Anglo- Novel (1989). It is satirical, historical and Indian family. He now lives in Dehra Dun. mythical and is the portrayal of He has won Commonwealth Writers' Prize in contemporary Indian political situation. 1989, Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991, Mahabharatha is used to yarn the history of Crossword Book Award in 1998. Hero: A Indian Independence and its aftermath. It is Fable (1991), From Yukon to Yukatan: a full of reference to history, geography and Western Journey (1994), The Everest Hotel: current Scenes in India. His second novel A Calendar (1998), The Brainfever Bird Show Business (1992) is a postmodern novel. (2003), Red: An Alphabet (2006) are his It satirizes Bollywood cinema. It is based on other works. Amitabh Bachan, the biggest superstar of Vikram Seth (1952 - ) is a novelist Bollywood. He meets with a serious and poet. He has written several novels and accident while shooting and is taken to the poems. He has received several awards hospital as he fights for life in the Intensive including Padma Shri, Pravasi Bharatiya Care Unit. His third novel Riot (2001) is Samman, WH Smith Literary Award and based on love, religious fanaticism and the Crossword Book Award. Seth identifies impossibility of knowing the truth. It centers himself as bisexual and is a polyglot. He on the mysterious murder of Priscilla Hart, a knows Welsh, German, French, Mandarin, young American Lady, who came to India to English, his mother tongue Hindi and Urdu. participate in a health programme. It deals His novels are The Golden Gate (1986), A Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 69

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 with communal violence after the 1992 Babri And his fifth novel Way to Go (2010) is a Masjid incident. sequel to The Last Burden. He focuses on a Mukul Kesavan (1957 - ) is an Indian new class of westernized Urban Indians who historian, novelist and essayist. His novels are dominated by women, literature, and soft include- Looking Through Glass (1994), and drug. The Narrator (1995). Susan Tarun J Tejpal (1963 - ) is a Visvanathan (1957 - ) is a sociologist, social journalist, publisher and a novelist. He is the anthropologist and a fiction writer. Her editor-in-chief and publisher novels are The Visiting Moon (2002), of Tehelka magazine, that was first launched Phosphorus and Stone (2007), Seine at Noon in March 2000. His debut novel The (2007). Alchemy of Desire (2006), won Le Prix Mille David Davidar (1958 - ) is a novelist and Pages, followed by Story of my co-publisher of Aleph Book Company. He is Assassins (2010), and The Valley of Masks the author of three published novels, The (2011). House of Blue Mangoes (2002), The Solitude Ashok Banker (1964 - ) is a successful of Emperors (2007) and Ithaca (2011). The journalist, columnist and novelist. He writes House of Blue Mangoes was based on on cross cultural themes and is noted for his Davidar's own family, and covered fifty realistic portrayal of Indian urban issues. He years of South Indian history. It was has written science fiction, and retold published in 16 countries and translated into mythology. His works are Amazing many languages. Davidar's second novel, The Adventure at Chotta Sheher (1992), The Iron Solitude of Emperors, which was based on Bra (1993), Murder and Champagne (1993), his experiences as a journalist, and the Ten Dead Admen (1993), Vertigo (1993), outrage he felt at the communal riots that Byculla Boy (1994), The Missing Parents took place in India in the 1990s. His third Mystery (1994), The Pocket Essential novel, Ithaca, was an account of the world of Bollywood (2001), and Gods of War (2009). international publishing. (1966 - ) is an author of Upamanyu Chatterjee (1959- ) is an poetry, prose and children's fiction in Indian civil servant in Maharashtra. He is the English, as well as a journalist. His first Joint Secretary to the Government of India in novel is Em and The Big Hoom (2012) which the Ministry of Defence. English August: An won The Hindu Literary Prize in the same Indian Story (1988) is his first novel. The year. Raj Kamal Jha (1966 - ) is a daily book chronicles one year in the life of a newspaper editor and an internationally trainee civil servant, Agastya Sen. It is a acclaimed novelist whose works inhabit the comedy of errors. It tells the story of self- surreal, often dark and violent, space discovery in postmodern India. His second between fiction and fact to explore novel The Last Burden (1993) tells the story contemporary India. He lives in Gurgaon. of an Indian middle-class family at the end of Jha's first novel, The Blue Bedspread (1999) 20th century. It is the portrayal of transition won the 2000 Commonwealth Writers' from the joint family to the nuclear family Prize for Best First Book (Eurasia region) system. Third novel The Mammaries of the and was a New York Times Notable Book of Welfare State (2000) is a sequel to English the Year. His second novel was If You Are August. It won Sahitya Akademi Award in Afraid of Heights. His third novel Fireproof 2004. Weight Loss (2006) is a dark comedy. Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 70

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 was debuted in German at the “Frankfurt her son, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1991. Indira Book Fair” in October 2006. Gandhi was the serving Prime Minister of Ashwin Sanghi (1969 - ) is an India when she was assassinated; Rajiv entrepreneur and novelist of thriller, mystery Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1984, and or conspiracy fiction genres. He is the author left office following his party's defeat in the of three bestselling novels, The Rozabal 1989 general election. The stories take place Line, Chanakya's Chant and The Krishna in the fictitious town of Kittur in Southwest Key. All these three books are based on India. It was originally modeled on Adiga's historical, theological and mythological hometown of Mangalore, but was themes. He is the author of the new era of substantially changed to make room for more retelling Indian history or mythology in a diverse plots and characters. The stories contemporary context. Chanakya's revolve around different classes, castes and Chant won the Vodafone-Crossword Popular religions in India. In each story, a new set of Choice Award for 2010. characters is introduced, but places and Rana Dasgupta (1971 - ) has authored names appear again in other stories. His Last two novels. They are Tokyo Cancelled Man in Tower, the book features 12 (2005), and Solo (2009). Amish interlinked short stories. It tells the story of a Tripathi (1974 - ), is a novelist and his first struggle for a slice of shining Mumbai real novel is The Immortals of Meluha (2010). estate. The protagonist of the novel is a His second book is The Secret of the Nagas retired school teacher named Yogesh. (2011). And the third is The Oath of the Murthy is affectionately known as Masterji. Vayuputras (2013). The trilogy is a re- A prominent builder offers to buy out the imagination of the Hindu deity Shiva's life entire apartment block. All of the occupants and adventures. agree, except for Masterji. This creates Sarnath Banerjee (1972 - ) is problem for the builder and the other an Indian graphic novelist, artist, and film residents. maker and a co-founder of the comics Chetan Bhagat (1974 - ), is a, columnist, publishing house, Phantomville. His novels speaker, and a novelist. He has five novels to are Corridor (2004), The Barn Owl's his credit. They are Five Point Wondrous Capers (2007), The Harappa Someone (2004), One Night @ the Call Files (2011). Graphic novels are another Center (2005), The 3 Mistakes of My version of postmodern narration. Life (2008), 2 States (2009), Revolution Aravind Adiga (1974 - ) is a journalist 2020 (2011), He is a commercially cum writer. He currently lives in Mumbai, successful novelist rather than a literary one. India. He carries dual citizenship of India and The film adaptations of his novels are Hello Australia. Aravind Adiga's debut novel, The adapted from One Night @ the Call Center, 3 White Tiger, won the 2008 Booker Prize. He Idiots and Nanban from Five Point Someone, is the fourth Indian-born author to win the Kai Po Che from The 3 Mistakes of My Life, prize, after Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy and 2 States from 2 States: The Story of my and Kiran Desai, (V. S. Naipaul, another Marriage. winner of Indian origin). His second novel is Manu Joseph (1974 - ) is a journalist and Between the Assassinations (2008). The title writer. He is the current editor refers to the period between the of OPEN magazine, and a columnist for The assassinations of Indira Gandhi in 1984 and International New York Times. His debut Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 71

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014 novel Serious Men (2010) won the The Folded Earth (2011). Jamyang Norbu has Hindu Literary Prize and the PEN/Open written non-canonical Sherlock Holmes Book Award. His second novel is The Illicit pastiche novel The Mandala of Sherlock Happiness of Other People (2012). He Holmes (1999) (published in the U.S. as currently lives in Delhi. Sherlock Holmes: The Missing Years). The Anurag Anand (1978 - ) is a Banker, novel is an account of Holmes' adventures in Marketing Professional, and novelist of India and Tibet where, posing as Norwegian general and historical fiction. His first novel explorer Sigerson, he meets the Dalai Lama Tic Toc – A tale of love, hate and and Huree Chunder Mookerjee, a character terror (2009) presents the common man’s from Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim. hatred for terrorism. Second novel The Quest is another leading writer for Nothing (2010) is a contemporary story of speculative fiction of 2000s, as well as an of a young and ambitious couple and their eminent computer scientist. After working conflict between their personal and career for several years as a computer scientist, he accomplishments. The third novel Reality started writing fiction. In 2009, Zubaan Bites (2011) is a youthful love story set in a Books, India's leading feminist press, high school hostel. His fourth novel The published his debut young adult novel The Legend of (2012) is a historical Beast With Nine Billion Feet. It was fiction on the courtesan Amrapali who lived shortlisted for the 2010 Vodafone Crossword in the kingdom of around 500 BC. Book Award. The fifth novel Of Tattoos and Kapur, a contemporary female Taboos! (2009) is a contemporary story that novelist. Her first novel, Difficult Daughters, traces the transition of an innocent, small- won the 1999 Commonwealth Writers' Prize. town girl into a modern, independent, city She teaches English at Delhi resident. University under the name Manjul Kapur Rahul Bhattacharya (1979 - ) is a Dalmia. Her novels are Difficult Daughters cricket journalist and novelist. His novel The (1998), A Married Woman (2003), Home Sly Company of People Who Care (2011) (2006), The Immigrant (2008), and Custody won the Hindu Literary Prize (2011), (2011). the Ondaatje Prize (2012) and a Kirkus Vikas Swarup is a novelist and diplomat fiction Book of the Year. He currently who has served in Turkey, the United resides in New Delhi. Samit Basu (1979 - ) is States, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, South the author of five novels and comics too. The Africa and Japan and now in Delhi. He is Simoqin Prophecies (2004), The Manticore's best known for his novels Q & A, Six Secret (2005) and The Unwaba Revelations Suspects and The Accidental Apprentice. (2007) are the three parts of The Gameworld His debut novel, Q & A, tells the story of Trilogy, Terror on the Titanic (2010) is a how a penniless waiter in Mumbai becomes Young Adult novel, and Turbulence (2012), the biggest quiz show winner in history. a superhero novel set in India, Pakistan and Critically acclaimed in India and abroad, this England. He currently lives and works international bestseller has been translated in Delhi, India. into 43 different languages. It won South Anuradha Roy is a journalist, editor and Africa’s Exclusive Books Boeke Prize 2006, award-winning novelist. Her novels are An as well as the Prix Grand Public at the 2007 Atlas of Impossible Longing (2008), and The Paris Book Fair. It was voted winner of the Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 72

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014

Best Travel Read (Fiction) at the Heathrow dancer. Her novels are Meeting, Man of a Travel Product Award 2009. Film4 of the Thousand Chances. Kavery Nambisan is a UK had optioned the movie rights and the novelist and surgeon. Her career in medicine movie titled Slum dog Millionaire, directed has been a strong influence on her fiction. by Danny Boyle, which was first released in The Truth (almost) About Bharat (1991). The the US to great critical acclaim. It received Scent of Pepper (1996), Mango-coloured fish 10 Oscar nominations of which it won 8, (1998), On Wings of Butterflies (2002), The including the Best Picture and Best Director. Hills of Angheri (2005), and The Story that Vikas Swarup's second novel Six Suspects Must Not Be Told (2010) are her novels. (2008) is being translated into more than Nandhini Krishnan and Priya, K are also the thirty languages. Vikas Swarup's most recent emerging postmodern women novelists. novel is The Accidental Apprentice (2013). Other Novels of 1980s Preeti Shenoy is among the best-selling Nina Sibal’s Yatra (1987) authors in India. Her second book Life is Raj Gill’s – JO Bole (1983) What you Make it was among the top selling Shiv K. Kumar’s - Nude before God (1983) books of 2011 in India and her third book [His first novel is The Bone’s Prayer (1979)] Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake which was Other Novels of 1990s released in February 2012 made it to the top Boman Desai’s The Memory of Elephants five best-selling Indian fiction of 2012. (1998) Mohan Deep is a contemporary novelist. Esther David’s – The Walled City (1997) His novels are: It's My Life (1997), Nehru & Farukh Dhondy’s – The Memory of Tantrik Woman (2002), a historical fiction, Elephants (1998) and The Five Foolish Virgins (2013). Gautam Bhatia’s – Short Story of Everything Ramendra Kumar is a well known Indian (1998) writer for children with fifteen books to his Jai Nimbkar’s - Come Rain (1993) credit. His novels are: Terror in Fun City Kiran Nagarkar’s - Ravan and Eddie (1995), (2008) and Now or Never (2010) … Cuckold (1997) Ira Trivedi is a novelist, yoga teacher, Manoj Das’ – A Tiger at Twilight, 1991 entrepreneur, and speaker. Her works [Cyclones (1987)] are What Would You Do To Save the World? Makarand Paranjape’s - An Angel in Pyjamas (2006), The Great Indian Love Story (2009) (1996) and There is No Love on Wall Street (2011). Pankaj Mishra’s – The Romantics (1999) Kiran Nagarkar is notable among Indian P.V.Narasimma Rao’s The Insider (1998) novelists. His novels are: Seven Sixes are Radhika Jha’s– Smell (1999) Forty Three (1974) (tr. of Saat Sakkam Raj Kamal Jha’s – The Blue Bedspread Trechalis), Ravan and Eddie (1994), Cuckold (1999) (1997), God’s Little Soldier (2006), and The R.K. Laxman’s – The Messenger (1993) Extras (2012). RukunAdvani’s - Beethovan Among the Anita Nair is another contemporary Cows (1994) writer. Her novels are The Better Man R. W. Desai’s – Frailty, Thy Name is Woman (2000), Ladies Coupé (2001), Mistress (1993) (2005), Lessons In Forgetting (2010), and Shauna Singh Baldwin’s What the Body Cut Like Wound (2012). Tulsi Badrinath is Remembers (1999) another contemporary novelist and classical Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 73

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014

Shiv K. Kumar’s - A River with Three Banks Lakshmi Holmström. In 2004, Astride the (1998) Wheel (Yantrarudha) written by Sudhir Kakar’s The Ascetic of Desire (1998) Chandrasekar Rath was translated by Jatindra Tabish Khair’s – Bombay Duck (1990) Kumar Nayak which won the prize. In 2005, Other Novels of 2000s The Heart has its Reasons by Krishna Sobti Altaf Tyrewala’s No God in Sight (2005) won the prize. In 2006, Ambai by C. S. Akil Sharma’s An obedient Father (2000) Lakshmi was translated into English as In a Amita Kanekar’s A Spoke in the Wheel Forest, A Deer by Lakshmi Holmström, for (2005) the same year Kesavan’s Lamentations by Anita Rao Badami’s Can You Hear the Mukundan was also nominated. In 2007, T’ta Nightbird Call? (2006) Professor by Manohar Shyam Joshi Amitava Kumar’s Husband of a Fanatic translated by Ira Pande won the prize. In (2004), … Home Products (2007) 2009, : The Scent of the other Side Farukh Dhondy’s – Asylum, U.S.A. (2000) by and translated by Valson Hari Kunzuru’s Transmission (2004) Tampu won. In 2010, Litanies of Dutch ’s Narcopolis (2012) Battery by N.S. Madhavan translated by Manil Suri’sThe Death of Vishnu (2001) Rajesh Rajamohan won the prize. In 2011, ManojDas’ – The Escapist (2001) The Araya Women by Narayan which was Milan Kundera’s Ignorance (2003) translated by Catherine Thankamma and Navtej Sarna’s We Were Not Lovers Like Anita Agnihotri Translated by Arunava Sinha That (2003) were the nominations. Charu Nivedita’s Zero Sudhir Kakar’s - Ecstacy (2001) Degree English version was added as a text Sangarika Ghose’s – The Gin drinkers (2000) book in Modern Asian Classics. He is a Shiv K. Kumar’s - Infatuation (2001) contemporary Tamil writer, His original Tabish Khair’s The Bus stopped (2004) name is Arivazhagan. Mayyazhippuzhayude Tishani Doshi’s The Pleasure Seekers by Theerangalil (On the Banks of the River Tishani Doshi (2010). Mayyazhi) is a Malayalam novel by M. 5. Contemporary Indian Language Fiction Mukundan. Widely regarded as the author's Translation into English masterpiece, the novel vividly describes the Translation is a very vital secondary political and social background of Mahe creative activity as far as any language is (Mayyazhi), the former French colony, in the concerned. Iliad and Odyssey were translated past. The novel was translated into English into English. As the order of the day is and French, both the versions have been reversed that the English Language is winning accolades. universal and it is the first Language in Lakshmi Holmström is an Indian- Indian CBSC schools, Translations into born British writer, literary critic and English has gained momentum. The translator of Tamil fiction into English. Her following novels won Vodafone Crossword most prominent works have been her Book Award for best translations. In 1999, translations of short stories and novels of the On the Banks of Mayyazhi, a Malayalam contemporary writers of Tamil Literature like novel by Mukundan and translated into Mauni, Pudhumaipithan, Ashoka Mitran, English by Gita Krishnan Kutty. It is Sundara Ramasami, C. S. Lakshmi, Baama translated into French too. In 2000, Karukku, and Imayam. Her translations are: Ambai's A a Tamil novel was translated into English by Purple Sea (1992), Silappadikaram: Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 74

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014

Manimekalai (1996), Ashoka Mitran's My universal theories are also being attempted. father's friend, which won Sahitya Akademi In 1993 After Amnesia written by G. N. Award (2002), Bama's Karukku (2000), Devy, in 2003 by Imayam's Beasts of Burden (2001), Meenakshi Mukherjee and in 2009 Pudumaipithan: Fictions (2003), Sundara Mahabharata: An Inquiry into the Human Ramasami's That's It But (2003), Na Condition by Chaturvedi Badrinath have Muthuswamy's Neermai (Waterness) (2004), won Sahitya Akademi Awards. Bama's Sangati (2005), Madhavayya's 7. Conclusion Clarinda, a Historical Novel, won Sahitya To sum up, the second generation Akademi Award (2005), In A Forest, A (post-independence) Indians who are Deer: Stories By Ambai (2006), Salma's The educated in English Language have mastered Hour Past Midnight, (2009). She has bagged the art of fiction writing. Those who have the following laurels (1) Vodafone - migrated abroad have also studied the Crossword prize (in the Indian language Creative Writing Courses offered in the fiction translation category) for Karukku – foreign universities and have cultivated their 2000, and for In a Forest, A Deer – 2006, (2) passion for authentic story-telling in the Iyal Virudhu (Lifetime Achievement Award) Universal Language. The other contemporary awarded by the Canada based Tamil Literary writers are predominantly from the academic Garden – 2007, (3) Fellow, The Royal and journalistic fields. On the whole, writing Literary Fund at University of East Anglia, novels is one of the most profitable fields of 2003–06. making money in the current scenario. Jatindra Kumar Nayak is a translator, Postmodern Indian novels in English explore literary critic, columnist, editor and Indian life in India and abroad, handle magic educationalist from Orissa. He has translated realism and historical romance very well and several works of Oriya literature into the most successful themes turn out to be English, including Yantrarudha, an Oriya social reality and Indian Mythology. They language novel by Chandrasekhar Rath, as carry the universal theme, social issues and Astride the Wheel that received the Hutch concerns and the individual’s reaction to it Crossword Book Award 2004 for Indian that are much relevant to a contemporary Language Fiction Translation. Nayak is a co- reader, who is perplexed with new issues translator of Fakir Mohan Senapati's Oriya every day. These novels are readable, novel Chha Mana Atha Guntha. The English enjoyable, and appreciable. There is a wide translation of the book was first published in range of postmodern Indian novels that the USA under the title Six Acres and a remain to be explored and analyzed. Third. To end this survey, the Postmodern 6. Award winning Indian Critical Essays Indian Writing in English is multi-faceted. Criticism is another aspect of any Particularly the canvas comprises Indian literary activity. It standardizes the artifact, novels written in English, regional novels and it provides better interpretation for better translated into English, Film Adaptations, understanding. A particular way of and Criticism that evolves from the interpretation based on typical norms evolves interpretation of the novels. into a type of criticism. Post Colonial literary About the Authors: criticism is already established in India. M. Subha is a Ph.D. Research Scholar, Apart from that, other contemporary literary pursuing Research Work on Contemporary Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 75

IJ-ELTS Volume: 2 Issue: 3 July-September, 2014

Indian English Novels in Bharathi Women’s Hutcheon, Linda (1998). A Poetics of College, Chennai, which is affiliated to the Postmodernism:History, Theory and Fiction. University of Madras. She has published a Newyork and London: Routledge. number of research papers in Journals. Her Iyengar, Srinivasa. K. R. (1994). Indian areas of Research include Translation Writing in English. New Delhi: Sterling (Vernacular to English), Diasporic Writers, Publishers Pvt. Ltd. and Postmodern Indian English Novels on Krishnaswamy, N., John Varghese and which she has worked considerably. Sunita Mishra (2001). Contemporary Dr. T. Jayasudha, Research Officer, Tamil Literary Theory.New Delhi: Macmillan. Nadu State Council for Higher Education, Nayak, Bhagabat (2008). “Trends in Indian TESOL Master Trainer, is a prolific English Fiction: Past Perfect and Present academician and a freelance writer too. She Continuous”. The Atlantic Literary Review has published articles, books etc. Her areas of Vol.9 (2), (April- June), 105-112. interest include English Language Teaching, Padma, V (2009). Fiction as Window: Indian Writing in English and Linguistics. Critiquing the Indian Literary Cultural Ethos She has been teaching English for the last since the 1980s. Hyderabad: Orient two decades. She has organized workshops, Blackswan. and participated conferences of different Sharma, Rajesh Kumar(2008). “A Note on areas of her interest. Contemporary Indian Fiction in English”. Kriticulture Retrieved August, 19, 2012 from References http://kriticulture.blogspot.in/2008/05/note- Baldick, Chris (1990). The Concise Oxford on- contemporary-indian-fiction-in.html Dictionary of Literary Terms. Oxford: Sunder Rajan, Rajeswari(2011). “After Oxford Midnight’s Children: Some Notes on the University Press. New Indian Novel in English”. Social Das, Bijay Kumar (2003). Post Modern Research 78.1. (Spring):203-230. Indian English Literature. New Delhi: Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki Atlantic Publishers and Distributors (p) LTD.

Cite this article as: Subha, M. & Jayasudha, T. (2014) Indian Postmodern English Novels: Diachronic Survey. International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies. 2(3), 63-76 Retrieved from http://www.eltsjournal.org Page | 76