The Evolution and Development of Indian English Literature

Indian English literature is also referred to as Indian Writing in English is the body of work by writers in
India who write in the English language but whose native or co-native language could be one of the
numerous languages of India.Indian English literature, a unique and diverse facet of global literary
traditions, has evolved remarkably since its inception. As a product of colonial history and post-colonial
realities, it represents a confluence of Indian cultural narratives and the English language.Indian English
literature was promarily known as Indian-Anglo Literature.This literature includes poetry, novels, letters,
biographies, articles, essays etc. From early imitative efforts to contemporary global acclaim, Indian
English literature charts a journey of transformation and identity, highlighting the complexities and
richness of Indian life through an adopted linguistic medium.

Indian writing in English began with the emergence of East India Company in India. As East India
Company spread its wing through southern peninsula, English language started to get newer pockets of
influence. But it was still time for the first English book to capitalize. Late 17th century saw the coming of
printing press in India but the publication were largely confined to either printing Bible or government
decrees. Then came newspapers. It was in 1779 that the first English Newspaper named Hickey’s Bengal
Gazette was published in India. The breakthrough in Indian English literature came in 1793 A.D. when a
person by the name of Sake Dean Mahomet published a book in London titled Travels of Dean Mahomet.
This was essentially Mahomet’s travel narrative that can be put somewhere between a Non-Fiction and a
Travelogue. Poetry written in English by the Indian poets developed from mere copying to a class
where it attained its uniqueness.

The roots of Indian English literature can be traced back to the 19th century during British colonial rule.
The initial phase was characterized by works that closely mimicked English literary forms and themes.
Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, often considered the first Indian English poet, laid the groundwork with his
poetry that reflected Romanticism. Another important figure was Michael Madhusudan Dutt, whose epic
poem "The Captive Ladie" (1849) combined Western literary forms with Indian themes.Indian English
Literature is a realistic scenario that endeavour to manifest the evergreen gems of Indian Writing in
English. From being a singular and exceptional, wide spread of native geniuses, Indian Writing has
emerged as a new formation of Indian culture and voice in which India counters regularly. Indian Writers
– poets, novelists, essayists, and dramatists turned out to make momentous and considerable
contributions to world literature since before the independence of our nation

With the rise of nationalism, India moved towards independence so literature became a vehicle for
expressing nationalistic sentiments and social reform. This period saw the emergence of writers like
Rabindranath Tagore, whose works such as "Gitanjali" (1910) won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913,
making him the first non-European to achieve this honor. Tagore’s profound insight into human nature
and his lyrical prose established Indian English literature on the global stage. "Where the mind is without
fear and the head is held high," from "Gitanjali," encapsulates the spirit of the time.Apart from the
freedom struggle that awakened many of the Indians who fought for the freedom, the writers at that
time were able to transmit their point of view, which ultimately helped to motivate and guide the
crowds. The happiness of accomplishing the magnificent victory against the British rulers was suddenly
spoiled by the shocking and traumatic partition of 1947. The horrors, tragic consequences and partition
like the large scale migration, adventurous looting and merciless massacres were portrayed by the
writers in their works which captured the interest, and imagination of the reader, the Indian English
novels began to prove its mark towards the global dignified storyline. Romanticism of the second
generation Indian poets asSarojini Naidu, Tagore, Aurobindo Ghose and Harindranth Chattopadhyaya
were distressed with nationalism, spirituality and mysticism.In the nineteenth century, more and more
women actively participated in India’s revolutionary movement against the British rule. It again led to the
women’s literature. At that time, their write – ups mainly concentrated on the country’s freedom
struggle. Over the years, the world of feminist ideologies began to influence the English literature of
India.

Post-Independence Growth

The post-independence era marked a significant evolution in Indian English literature as writers began
exploring diverse themes beyond the immediate concerns of nationalism. R.K. Narayan, with his Malgudi
series, painted vivid pictures of everyday Indian life with simplicity and humor. His novel "Swami and
Friends" (1935) is celebrated for its charming depiction of childhood in a small town. Similarly, Mulk Raj
Anand’s "Untouchable" (1935) and "Coolie" (1936) highlighted the plights of the oppressed and
underprivileged, blending social realism with literary finesse.Ezekiel's first book,[9] A Time to change,
appeared in 1952. A Time To Change, changed the trajectory of Indian poetry as it was a new form of
poetry, Indian English Poetry. The book serves as a declaration of transformation, encompassing the
poet's personal life and surroundings. It brings about a significant shift with deep implications for society,
intellectual thought, and moral values. Most importantly, it introduces a transformation in the way
poetry is written. Written in 1952, it emphasizes the cultural context of the post colonial period.. Indian
English Poetry has its unique mystic and spiritual essence.The development of Indian English poetry
is traced as pre-Independent phase and post-independent phase.The pre-independent phase imitated
the poems of poets like William Wordsworth of victorian era while the post-independent era poets did
experiments and diverse from the conventional poetry style.The Postcolonial English writers employ
the colonisers language to oppose the colonisers and to rectify the damages created by them in the
historical, social, cultural and economical sects. However, these writers transform the English
language , so as to create a native e experience. Postcolonial writers like Raja Rao, Mulk Raj Anand
and Chinua Achebe are of the view that the imperial language need to be transformed in order
to suit the native readers. Therefore, they employed the techniques of 'appropriation' and
'nativisation' of the English language.The Postcolonial writings are replete with regional dialects and
native phrases so as to suit the native readers.

Modern and Contemporary Voices

Among the various genres of Postcolonial Indian English Literature, the genre of ‘novel’, emerged
as the most successful and effective one. The late 20th and early 21st centuries have witnessed a
surge in the global recognition of Indian English literature. Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children"
(1981), which won the Booker Prize, is a landmark work that employs magic realism to narrate India’s
transition from British colonialism to independence and partition. Rushdie’s assertion that "the past is a
country from which we have all emigrated" reflects the diasporic consciousness that pervades much of
contemporary Indian writing.Arundhati Roy’s "The God of Small Things" (1997), another Booker Prize-
winning novel, delves into the intricate layers of caste, family, and forbidden love in Kerala, India. Her
evocative prose and deep empathy for her characters mark a significant achievement in Indian English
literature. In recent years, authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, Kiran Desai, and Aravind Adiga have continued to
push boundaries, exploring themes of identity, migration, and globalization.The women writers of the
Postcolonial Indian English Literature, switched on to the microscopic themes of ‘ alienation’,
‘poverty’, ‘isolation’ and ‘disillusionment’ in the familial lives of the Indian folk. Anita Desai’s first
novel, “ Cry the Peacock”, published in 1963, echoes the sufferings and agony of the Indian
women folk.

Themes and Styles

Throughout its development, Indian English literature has been marked by its thematic diversity and
stylistic innovation. Writers have explored the intersections of tradition and modernity, colonial pasts
and postcolonial futures, and the personal and the political. This body of literature is characterized by its
rich narrative techniques, including stream of consciousness, magic realism, and intricate
characterizations, reflecting the complexities of Indian society.

#### Conclusion

Indian English literature has grown from its nascent beginnings in the 19th century to a vibrant and
influential field of global literature.English as a global language has highly influenced the literature of
India. The history of Indian Writing in English began with the The Indian Writing in English can be
compared to an old stinging root which has regrowned its branches in the modern generation. The new
saplings are thriving with green leaves and twigs to be enjoyed by all not only in the Indian landmass ,
but across the globe as well. Through the works of its pioneering and contemporary writers, Indian
English literature remains a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the dynamic interplay of
language and culture.