Moving is a transformative experience for a child, bringing about significant changes in their life. Unlike adults, who often relocate for specific reasons and with clear objectives in mind, children face the task of leaving behind the familiar people and places without fully understanding the reasons behind it. It was especially more challenging in the past, when mobile phones were not yet a thing, nor was social media, to keep them connected to familiar people and surroundings.
Starting afresh is a challenging endeavor for anyone, and I found myself navigating this unfamiliar terrain with little support from others. Our new home, nestled in an unfamiliar area, allowed me to forge new friendships with kids my age, which eased my transition.
Each of my new-found companions, possessed unique qualities or traits that made them stand out in my life. However, amidst this motley group, one individual captured my attention due to the profound impact of his hobby. This friend had an intriguing fascination for Indian movies subtitled in Arabic, introducing me to the expansive universe of Indian cinema.
He unveiled the fantasy world of Indian movies right before my eyes. It was as though all that stopped me from exploring this new world was the one-inch-thick barrier of subtitles. Digital streaming had not been invented yet, so we watched films on VHS cassettes on a VCR.
In India, the 1980s were a period of massive cultural change. A huge proponent of this change was the emergence of Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood, that was gaining popularity and love, not only in its own country, but also beyond. The impact of the vibrant spirit of Indian cinema, laden with catchy tunes and focus on the star power of its cast, was and still is felt all over the world. Bollywood continues to be considered an essential part of the Indian panorama. As an Arab, I have always felt strongly connected with this culture, especially as we shared similar values and traditions.
The early 1980s were when I started gaining an understanding of India and its ethos. Back then, I was just eleven years old. Bollywood gave me an insight into the vast subcontinent and its divergent multicultural communities.
At that early age, I was exposed to a whole universe of experiences: action, drama, and a score of emotions that went beyond just sad, happy, or angry. The vivid and cheerful colors tapped into the viewers’ emotions. The acting was lively, energetic, and capable of breathing life into a corpse. The storylines were melodramatic, sometimes absurd, and at other times grounded in the absolute nitty-gritty of real life. These movies weaved stories of people from all walks of life and still managed to make every single one of them a unique experience that got imprinted in my mind.
I was totally infatuated with a wonderful constellation of Indian movie stars and starlets: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Amjad Khan, Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini, and Sridevi, to name just a few. Memories of those good old days still reverberate in my mind.
However, as I grew up, life took over; leaving less time to explore the depths of Indian culture and cinema. I am still reminded of simpler, vastly better moments every time I come across a publication on India while flipping through the newspaper, or see a glimpse of an Indian movie while surfing TV channels, not just in the world but in my own life as well.
In the mid-1990s, after completing my studies at King Faisal University (KFU), I was in New York on tour, and as I wandered through Manhattan’s avenues while jumping from one bookstore to the other (the new millennium has seen the rise of online bookselling, unfortunately leading to the death of several independent bookstores), I stumbled upon a small book titled Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand. The book rekindled my old yearning to comprehend India, this time through its literary heritage, and compelled me to pick it up eagerly.
Untouchable is a powerful depiction of the harsh realities of the lives of the lower castes in India during British rule. The story is set in a hill town in the 1930s, which was a time of great unrest and dissatisfaction among the Indian population. The protagonist, Bakha, is an ‘untouchable’ who is forced to do menial jobs and is ostracized by society. Through Bakha’s experiences, the novel highlights the deep-rooted discrimination and injustice in Indian society. Anand’s writing is poignant and evocative, bringing to life the struggles and hardships faced by those at the bottom of the caste hierarchy.
Overall, Untouchable is a thought-provoking novel that sheds light on important social issues which continue to affect India even today. I haven’t been engrossed in a book in such a way in a long time, and I often wish I could read it again for the first time. I loved it. It gripped my attention. Most importantly, it became the catalyst behind my further interest in, and exploration of pan-Indian literature written in English. Amid this cultural transition in terms of reading literature, I found myself drawn toward Indian fiction.
It is essential to explore Indian literary works to gain an in-depth understanding of its culture and society. Indian fiction allows readers to connect with the experiences of those who come from drastically different backgrounds than their own. I was particularly impressed by the way several Indian authors blended multiple genres and styles into a single thread, creating something truly unique, yet compelling. As someone who has long been interested in world literature, I have always been attracted to Indian fiction and found it particularly powerful and inspiring.
Indian literature has been a source of inspiration for readers worldwide. While many people might associate this literature with the works of authors such as Salman Rushdie or Arundhati Roy, there is a wealth of other voices and perspectives too, equally deserving of attention. From the classic works of Rabindranath Tagore, R. K. Narayan, and Kamala Markandaya to modern-day authors such as Chetan Bhagat, Vikram Seth, and Jhampa Lahiri, this evocative literature has been a source of knowledge and entertainment for generations. Through reading Indian fiction, I found myself transported to a world that was simultaneously familiar and unknown: one that was replete with commonly shared human experiences, emotions, and situations as well as cultural traditions, mysteries, and history specific to India. The evolution of this literature provided me with a gateway to understanding the convolutions of Indian culture. Thus, my journey became filled with meaningful awareness of this grand literature.
Through this brief but rewarding journey of reading Indian works, translated into, or written in English, I gained a deeper understanding of the sheer diversity in the literary scenery of India. The aspect that impressed me the most about the literary heritage of the Indian subcontinent was the sheer range of genres and styles represented.
From historical fiction to magical realism, poetry to memoir, there is something for everyone in this prosperous literary tradition. Despite this wide range of genres, none of the work I’ve read has ever been lacking in terms of perspective. The creators always treat their creations with the utmost care, making sure their stories are unique, thorough, and get the point across.
Similar to all art forms, and arguably even more so than others, literature has the power to change the world. So, it is important to consider the societal and cultural implications these literary works might carry. Indian fiction often addresses critical issues, such as identity, politics, social inequality, and caste discrimination. For a country as vast and politically volatile as India, it is also a very important means of exploring and understanding the multifariousness of voices and perspectives within India. It serves to examine historical events and their impacts on modern society. It is a kind of fiction that is not just about storytelling, but also about building a perception of the broader cultural conversations happening within and beyond India.
Many different factors have contributed to the popularity of Indian literary works. The country’s rich cultural heritage, diverse linguistic landscape, and the global appreciation given to its literature contribute to its appeal.
In recent years, Indian authors have won numerous international awards, including the Booker Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, and many other distinguished laurels in literature. These accolades have helped build the credibility of Indian literature on the world stage, exposing the depth and complexity of the country’s literary conventions, bringing it to a wider spectrum of audiences which it truly deserves.
Of course, as an Arab, I am acutely aware of how my own cultural biases and assumptions might color my perceptions of Indian literature. While I have done my best to approach these works with an open mind and a willingness to learn, I recognize there is always more to learn and understand from diverse cultures.
The influence of Indian literature on India’s soft power cannot be overstated. As India continues to navigate its place in the world order, Indian literature remains an important tool for projecting the country’s favorable image on the world stage.
Indian fiction has a rich history spanning thousands of years. With the advent of translations and the prevalence of English as a global language, Indian literature is finding new audiences. This is true of works translated into English from Indian languages, as well as those originally written in English. Translators require both linguistic skills and a cultural understanding to convey the essence of the original work. The translation of Indian literature over the years has been aided by a growing number of scholars and institutions specializing in Indian studies.
The advent of English literature in India is often attributed to the works of Raja Rammohan Roy, who wrote prose translations of religious texts in the early 19th century. However, it was not until the 20th century when Indian literature written in English truly gained prominence. This movement was spearheaded by authors such as Rabindranath Tagore, who is largely considered the voice of India’s spiritual heritage. In recent years, Indian literature has gained even more attention, with authors such as Geetanjali Shree and Shashi Tharoor garnering international acclaim.
However, Indian literature written in or translated into English has not been without controversy. Some critics argue it reinforces Western ideals and values, while others believe it neglects regional languages and their unique literary traditions. Despite these criticisms, Indian literary works produced in English continue to evolve and thrive.
We know India is the second largest English-speaking country in the world after the United States. Ten percent of the Indian population can speak English, while eighty percent speak Hindi and other regional languages. However, the truth is that majority of these English speakers are not fluent. They either speak grammatically incorrect English or their own broken version with the local accent, and only two percent of the population can actually speak English fluently. Regrettably, great fictional works written in the regional languages of India—Bangla, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, and Urdu, among many others—is yet to be translated into English.
This is not to say that Indian fiction, whether written in or translated into English has not grown exponentially over the past few decades. Indian authors have indeed been celebrated globally for their unique style, their ability to depict the intricacies of their society, and their relatable characters. This is hardly surprising as Indian fiction written in English has much to offer, including classics such as A Bend in the Ganges by Manohar Malgonkar, and contemporary works such as Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree. These works draw from a range of cultural traditions, including religious practices of Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, as well as regional customs unique to various parts of the country.
One of my favorite works of Indian fiction is Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, set in rural India. The story captures the heartbreaking struggles of a poor family and their resilience in the face of adversity. The novel explores themes such as caste, education, and modernization. Another classic I fondly enjoyed is The Guide by R. K. Narayan. The novel is an interesting depiction of the life of Raju, the protagonist from humble beginnings as a simple tour guide, to becoming a spiritual guide and eventually becoming one of the sacred men of India. The novel is a commentary on the corrupting influence of power and the importance of self-discovery. Narayan weaves a beautiful tale of love and redemption, making The Guide an astounding read.
I serendipitously discovered Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss in an excellent literary review. The novel has won several awards, including the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award. It is a poignant story of a retired judge and his granddaughter, Sai, living in the foothills of the Himalayas. The novel describes their struggles with assimilation, identity, and the legacy of British colonialism. Desai brilliantly captures the intricacies of class and power dynamics in Indian society, making it an interesting read.
A friend who shares my interest in reading world literature recommended Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer by Cyrus Mistry. It is a stirring tale of love, loss, and redemption set in the Parsi community of Mumbai. The novel explores the themes of caste, religion, and tradition through the story of a Hindu corpse bearer—someone who collects the dead and performs last rites—who falls in love with a Parsi woman. I loved the way the author articulated various themes.
I read The Autobiography of a Sex Worker by Nalini Jameela to better understand the mysterious world of the sex industry in India. To my surprise, there was nothing vulgar or scandalous about the book. Instead, it turned out to be a powerful and moving story of one woman’s journey from childhood to adulthood as a sex worker in Mumbai. The book sheds light on the harsh realities of the sex trade in India and offers a glimpse into the lives of the women who work in this industry.
The novel has a strong plot that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. The profound affection Nalini exhibited toward her daughter within the pages of this book is truly praiseworthy. Her unwavering dedication to ensuring her child’s safety and protecting her from the harrowing realities of the sex industry is a testament to her boundless love and selflessness.
On my way to Bali, Indonesia, I came across The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga in an airport bookstore. I was immediately drawn to it as its cover proclaimed it had won the Booker Prize. Being a satirical novel that exposes the harsh realities of India’s recent economic progress, the story follows Balram Halwai, who navigates a corrupt and oppressive society and rises from poverty to power. The novel critiques contemporary Indian society and its values. This absorbing novel was truly a worthy travel companion.
After reading The White Tiger, I started focusing more on works that had received prestigious prizes within the Indian subcontinent or on an international scale. The pressing desire to find such works led me to Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things. This is Roy’s debut novel, and it won the Booker Prize in 1997. Set in Kerala, the story traces the lives of twins Rahel and Estha and their family, whose lives are shaped by love, betrayal, and tragedy. Roy’s lyrical prose and intricate storytelling created an enchanting and heartbreaking world. The most heart-rending episode is of Estha, who, at the tender age of seven, is misguided into falsely accusing Velutha—a member of the Untouchable caste—of criminal activities which he had not committed.
Arundhati Roy is not only a path-breaking novelist but also a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes. She represents the oppressed Indian voices. I am absolutely overwhelmed by her fiction and non-fiction works. Her book Field Notes on Democracy: Listening to Grasshoppers is a powerful collection of essays that detail the miscarriages of justice in the ‘pseudo-democratic’ country called India. Her realistic presentations with thoughtful analysis of social and political issues make this book a must-read. If I could make a required reading list for anyone interested in Indian politics, this book would top that list.
I have a personal, negative attitude toward Salman Rushdie’s writings, especially his novel The Satanic Verses, which portrays a fictionalized version of Prophet Muhammad and a malformed interpretation of the Quran that caused a stir in the Muslim world. Despite this, I read a copy of Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children which a dear friend handed to me. It is a towering work of post-colonial Indian literature. It tells the story of Saleem Sinai, whose life is intertwined with the history of India from its independence in 1947 to the Emergency in 1975. Rushdie’s magical realism and his ability to weave together history and imagination make this book essential reading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of India’s past and present.
After a while, having savored a variety of literary works, I began feeling as though I was deeply immersed in reading only novels, so I halted reading novels and directed my attention toward reading short stories.
The name Saadat Hasan Manto—a renowned Urdu writer from pre-partition India—piqued my curiosity. His book Bombay Stories, a collection of short stories, enthralled me and prompted me to pick up the rest of his works. Having arrived in Bombay—now Mumbai—in the 1930s, Manto brilliantly captures the city’s socio-political and cultural milieu in the ensuing decades. His writings revolve around ordinary people struggling with poverty, class conflict, and social discrimination amidst a fast-evolving and flourishing city.
The stories are moving and powerful, and Manto’s writing style is simple yet profound. The vivid imagery, language, and symbolism he used to explore the human psyche and life’s complexities had me captivated. Even though I had explored quite a bit of Indian literature by reading the works of various acclaimed writers, Bombay Stories put forth a unique perspective on the social and economic realities of the subcontinent; which, a couple of times simply left me. It is easily one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.
Manto’s stories led me to Naiyer Masud, another prominent literary figure who explores themes similar to Manto. However, his writing style is distinct. His book Collected Stories, is a seminal work of Urdu literature. Masud’s stories are often mysterious and multilayered. The allegory, metaphors, and symbolism used to depict his characters’ psyche add to the aura of his writing.
One of the striking features of Masud’s writing is his ability to create a realistic world and then blur the line between reality and imagination. I found Masud’s stories gripping, engaging, and thought-provoking. His writing style is rich in imagery, and he creates a vivid and surreal world that engages the reader’s imagination while suspending them in his fictitious world.
Over the years, India has seen a steady influx of authors, widening the horizons of the literary world by continuing the legacy that the stalwarts left in their wake. When it comes to contemporary Indian authors, several names come to mind. Some of these authors have significantly impacted the literary world with their works that delve deep into human emotions and prevalent social issues. Among these authors, Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni have carved their own niches by depicting the complexities of Indian society in their short story collections.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies is a collection of nine short stories exploring the lives of Indian immigrants and their experiences in the United States. The stories capture the essence of cultural displacement and the longing for home. Lahiri’s writing style is simple yet evocative and she uses subtle details to convey deep emotions. Her stories are thrilling and offer a glimpse into the lives of immigrants who are navigating their way through a new culture. Overall, they are a display of elegant craft, tugging at the heartstrings of those who have left their homeland in search of the so-called ‘greener pastures.’ One of her stories in this collection reminded me of Narayan’s novel The Guide. The stories leave readers brooding over the implications of life decisions and their aftereffects.
Being on the constant lookout for interesting reading material, my senses were stimulated when I read a raving review of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s first collection of stories, Arranged Marriage. Originally, she was an acclaimed poet. The review was so glowing that it propelled me to check out her work. And I am glad I did! It is a collection of eleven stories that explore the complexities of Indian arranged marriages. Divakaruni’s stories offer a nuanced look at the tradition of arranged marriages and how it impacts women’s lives, especially when they are sent to far-off lands, away from their families. She shows how they need to fend for themselves in dire circumstances and transform themselves to unfold a new phase of their lives. Her writing is powerful and lyrical, and she uses striking imagery to convey her characters’ emotional struggle. The stories in this collection are a powerful commentary on gender roles, family expectations, and traditions. Reading Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s stories was an intriguing experience for me, to say the least.
To have an overall fascinating glimpse into the panorama of short Indian fiction, I sought anthologies featuring a cross-section of classic and modern Indian literary treasure troves. 5 Indian Masters: Short Story Masterpieces and A Clutch of Indian Masterpieces: Extraordinary Short Stories from the 19th Century to the Present are two brilliant collections of short stories which offer a comprehensive look at the evolution of Indian literature over the decades. These collections feature stories from prominent Indian writers, including R. K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, and Khushwant Singh and offer insights into social changes in India over the years.
What do you do when the most celebrated authors combine forces and publish a book? You order it right away! And so, I placed an order through an online bookstore for my copy of The Penguin Book of Modern Indian Short Stories edited by Stephen Alter. It is a collection of thirty short stories that offer a glimpse into the contemporary Indian literary scene. The collection features stories from a range of writers, including Raja Rao, Ismat Chughtai, and Anita Desai, to name a few. The stories in this collection are multifaceted, reflecting the various voices that make up the Indian literary vista. This superb collection contains some of the most impressive Indian short stories of the last fifty years.
Another quick read was Time Out: Stories from Punjab by Jasjit Mansingh. This collection paints a vivid picture of life in Punjab through the intricately woven tales of ordinary yet tough people of the province. The melodic style and endearing protagonists make this anthology impossible to put down, more so because it has stories penned down by some of the most well-known authors of Punjabi literature, whose major works hadn’t been translated into English so far. I still hold a great passion for this rich literary treasure.
Many books by Rabindranath Tagore, V. S. Naipaul, Neel Mukherjee, Satyajit Ray, Mark Tully, Munshi Premchand, Amitav Ghosh, Anita Desai, Ruskin Bond, and Shobhaa De, among a plethora of other talented authors are on my reading list.
I have not yet covered the earliest literary works in India, which comprises the Vedas, a collection of sacred Hindu texts composed in Sanskrit, followed by explanatory prose works such as the Brahmanas and the Upanishads, alongside hymns, prayers, rituals, and doctrines. Sanskrit writers produced poetry on themes of love, devotion, courtly life, as well as dramas and folklore. I have reviewed the short and long fiction that I personally cherish, and not the entire literary oeuvre of the revered scriptures.
Overall, my brief journey in reading the substantial literature written in English has been both a humbling and an exhilarating experience. It has made me brood over the different facets of life. Moreover, I have been affected by the depth and diversity of this literary tradition and have also been inspired by the many talented authors who are putting in hard work to tell their stories and share their perspectives with the world. As I continue to explore this rich and complex literary landscape, I look forward to discovering the choicest treasures Indian literature has to offer.
As a last gesture of gratitude, I humbly acknowledge my indebtedness to the few scholarly Indian friends who provided me with ample knowledge of certain Indian customs and traditions about which I was previously ignorant. While publishing my book Furtive Glimpses: Flash Fiction from the Arab World, they stood by my side. Nevertheless, having read through the myriad of captivating stories, what really fascinated me is venturing into the uncharted territories of this charming subcontinent.
