Indian English literature
Introduction
Indian English literature (IEL) refers to the body of work by writers in India who write in the English language and whose native or co-native language could be one of the numerous languages of India. It is also associated with the works of members of the Indian diaspora, such as V. S. Naipaul, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago to Indian parents.
History
The first book written by an Indian in English was "The Travels of Dean Mahomet", a travel narrative by Sake Dean Mahomet. The book was published in 1793 in England. In its early stages, IEL was influenced by the Western art form of the novel. Early Indian writers used English unadulterated by Indian words to convey an experience which was essentially Indian.
Evolution
IEL has a relatively recent history, it is only one and a half centuries old. The first IEL text was published in 1830 by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio. During the early period the themes revolved around the socio-political changes the country was undergoing and the nationalist movement against British rule.
Post-independence
After the independence of India in 1947, the new nation needed a new voice to express its struggles, aspirations and its identity in the world. This was provided by the writers of the time. In the beginning, this new voice was critical of the socio-political norms of the time. It was largely inward looking, trying to portray India's identity and the sense of individuality.
Modern Indian English Literature
Modern IEL has come a long way from the modest beginnings of the 1830s. It is now, in fact, experiencing a golden age of sorts. The last three decades have witnessed a great boost in Indian English Literature. There is now a considerable body of work that can be categorised as Indian English Literature.
Prominent Themes
Indian English Literature has been making great strides in terms of themes, and has come a long way from the early 19th century. It started with social realism and has gradually evolved to include various themes like partition literature, feminist literature, diaspora literature, literature of the marginalized, graphic novels etc.
Criticism
Despite its growth and popularity, Indian English Literature has also faced criticism. The primary criticism is that it does not reflect the multilingual diversity of India and it is not inclusive as it is mostly written by and for the urban middle class. Another criticism is that it often relies on stereotypical portrayals of India and Indians.
Conclusion
Despite the criticism, Indian English Literature has made its mark on the world stage. It has won several prestigious awards and has a significant global following. It continues to evolve and reflect the changing realities of India.