The Growth of Indian English Novel

Introduction to Indian English Literature:

English, the language of international status, is especially remarkable for its flexible and variable character. It is not tied down to typical English conventions and social, cultural and literary background in various countries when it is read and spoken. It, on the other hand, has come under the dominant influence of the cultural and social background of the countries concerned. The geographical, climatic, social and cultural conditions prevalent in a country have determined the character of written and spoken English. Now-a-days English is not of the English men alone. It has become the cultural and literary heritage of mankind. The Americans have done a lot to transform English idiom and modes of expressions and have successfully adjusted it to the expression of their national character and temperament. Hence, the English of an American is different from that of an English man. Similarly the English of African, Australian and Arab countries is cautioned by national denominations. Hence we have seen the Black consciousness movement in English Literature written by Negroes. They are keenly alive to the racial and colour discriminations and have made English, a suitable medium to air their grievances and the evils of apartheid.

In India, too, English has been moulded and transformed to express the diverse phases of Indian Cultural, Social and Literary back ground. It has been used to express spontaneously and powerfully the varying shades of emotions, thoughts and feelings typical to Indian character. Therefore, the English of an Indian writer is not the English of an English writer. The pronunciation of English in India has been greatly in India has been greatly affecte...

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...t reality and the novelist must guard himself against this danger.

Summing Up:

In Short, Indo-Anglian literature continues to grow and flourish and this despite all the misguided and prejudiced and politically motivated campaign against English as a ‘foreign’ language, a language which comes in the way of its growth. More Indians are writing in English than ever before, and the Indo-Anglian writer is enjoying a much wider market. It has, indeed, a bright future.

Conclusion:

The future of Indo-Anglian novel is immense. “Novels and Short Stories are appearing at a steady pace, for journals need them, and readers are hungry for them.

References:

1. K. R. Srinivasa Iyengar, “Indian Writing in English”, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi, 1984.

2. M. K. Naik, “History of Indian English Literature”, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, 1990.