Indian Literature.

[Shakira]

Has anyone here at LitNet been familiar to any Indian work? We can discuss Indian literature here. What say? :nod:

[holograph]

i've read yogi lit by swami muktananda and swami viviekananda. does that count?

[Jean-Baptiste]

Perhaps you could suggest some titles that you'd like to discuss, and we can read them and discuss them with you. I, for one am not familiar with Indian literature, but would like to become so.

[melancolia]

Neither am I unfortunately, but would also like to get acquainted to some
=)

[Schokokeks]

Hm, I have read The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, which I enjoyed very much! However, if I remember correctly, it was composed in English, so I don't know whether that would count as truly Indian :)

Anyways, dear Shakira, why don't you introduce some Indian writers to us in order to shake hands with another culture? As for me, I'd really like to try something Indian again :nod: (as I already love Indian food :D)

[mono]

Though, perhaps both author's families did not have as many origins in India as others, has anyone heard of the India-born-and-raised authors named Rudyard Kipling and George Orwell? :D
I intend no sarcasm, of course, but merely find it a fact often overlooked and neglected. Considering their era and the British-Indian history of their era, both had strong ancestry of the British, yet I think it a fun trivia fact. ;)

[Jean-Baptiste]

Yes indeed, not only in there personal lives were these two connected with India, but both wrote extensively about India and the British involvement there. Do you mean then, mono, that Kim and A Hanging should be considered for discussion in this thread? I'm ok with that, just because it would be a place to start. What do you say Shakira?

[mono]

Do you mean then, mono, that Kim and A Hanging should be considered for discussion in this thread? I'm ok with that, just because it would be a place to start.
I do not why not, personally. It seems unlikely of the two authors' births in India would have taken place without the politics of their time, yet the topic alludes to some discussions worth exploring, though unrelated to the thread, itself (such as of actual citizenship, culture, etc.).
Oh well, no worries. I meant to mention the fact more as trivial and worth knowing, perhaps striking some discussion in the thread. :D

[EAP]

Define 'Indian.'

[muhsin]

Huh, why their work is too far-from our knowledge. I personally never come across one. Are they not coming to africa?

[Monica]

I've read Salman Rushdie. It was "Midnight's Children" and I loved it. Sounded like Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Hundred Years of Solitude", magical realism it's called, I think. I'm planning now to read "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" (no, not because of the fact that there's a U2 song based on that :p ). Anybody read it?

[Jean-Baptiste]

I've been thinking for about one year now that I should read something by Rushdie; what I've read about his writing made it seem very appealing. I usually don't allow myself to deliberate on choices between titles for too long, but I can't seem to decide between "Midnight's Children" and "The Satanic Verses." I'll just have to choose blindfolded, unless you, Monica, can manage to inveigle my senses toward this one that you mention to an appropriate degree.

[mono]

I've been thinking for about one year now that I should read something by Rushdie; what I've read about his writing made it seem very appealing. I usually don't allow myself to deliberate on choices between titles for too long, but I can't seem to decide between "Midnight's Children" and "The Satanic Verses."
I have only read The Satanic Verses, yet have heard good and bad things of Midnight's Children. Of The Satanic Verses, I thought the book deeply philosophical, well thought, and well written, but, of course, nothing I can agree with entirely, nor endorse; regardless, I learned a lot, and would recommend it to any other open mind. ;)

[Monica]

Hello Jean-Baptiste :) I haven't read Satanic Verses so I can't compare it to Midnight's Children but I guarantee that the latter is a real good read. It has everything you need: interesting plot, history, philosophy, humour, and all that is put well, with a magical realism atmosphere. The book is very long but also very absorbing (although the first chapter was difficult for me to get through) so it may be dangerous if you don't have a lot of time.
Have a nice day :D

[Madhuri]

You may want to read Rabindranath Tagore. I have read 'Chokher Bali' and liked it very much. I am so impressed by what he wrote as you can find the issues so relevant in today's times. You can read plays, poetry, short-stories and novels by this author.

Amongst other contemporary ones 'Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth is a good read. There are so many good books written by Manju Kapur 'Difficult Daughters' ; 'Interpreter of Maladies' Jhumpa Lahiri.

These authors maynot be living India but if you read their novels they are centered around Indians. I think it is not important that they are citizens, what's imprtant is what they write.

[Virgil]

I have only read The Satanic Verses, yet have heard good and bad things of Midnight's Children. Of The Satanic Verses, I thought the book deeply philosophical, well thought, and well written, but, of course, nothing I can agree with entirely, nor endorse;
Mono, I'm curious as to what particularly you would disagree nor endorse. I have never read any Rushdie, I'm afraid, so I am clueless to his ideas.

[Jean-Baptiste]

mono and Monica, thanks for your thoughts on Rushdie. I am encouraged to get started. Madhuri, your suggestions are very intriguing. I'll look them up.

[mono]

Mono, I'm curious as to what particularly you would disagree nor endorse. I have never read any Rushdie, I'm afraid, so I am clueless to his ideas.
Rushdie had many interesting and brilliant ideas, in my opinion, but through a few, I could not quite follow. A majority of the Satanic philosophy, to summarize the fact, outlines a worship of self (not Satan, no matter what others say, or would like to think); of course, I consider myself a great believer in the self-reliant philosophy, but I cannot quite go so far as to worship my own self to where I find my thoughts, desires, emotions, and appetites entirely just and objective.

[SleepyWitch]

Y
Amongst other contemporary ones 'Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth is a good read.

I've been reading 'A Suitable Boy' for one and a half years on and off (hehe, it's 1500 pages) and I love it :) there are so many interesting characters and it's a compelling portrait of India just after independence (judging from what I learned about this period in Geography and Politics courses). it's a must-read for anyone who's interested in India and/or likes 'traditional' novels (as in without a warped plot and too many post-modern/post-structuralist/post-whatever stunts)

[Madhuri]

I've been reading 'A Suitable Boy' for one and a half years on and off (hehe, it's 1500 pages) and I love it :) there are so many interesting characters and it's a compelling portrait of India just after independence (judging from what I learned about this period in Geography and Politics courses). it's a must-read for anyone who's interested in India and/or likes 'traditional' novels (as in without a warped plot and too many post-modern/post-structuralist/post-whatever stunts)

:lol:
Yes, Sleepy it is a very long book. I had skipped the politics part of it, didnt read that part completely.

You are very correct, about it portraying how India was just after independence. But parts of it are so relevant today also, specially how the parents are worried about their sons/daughters marriage, as written in the novel. They usually dont approve of their children having choosen someone as their life-partner (this thought process has changed a lot though, but mostly in urban areas), they think that they make the best choices for their children.

Do post your review of this book on litnet.

[SleepyWitch]

hehe, when I've finished reading it :) I'm only around page 900 or something :) i've read lots of other books in between but i keep coming back to it :)
i also bought his Two Lives when i was in England the other day. can't wait to read it :)
have you read it?

[Shakira]

Ohh I've been out from here too long. Thanks to all who have replied to this thread.

Well, to begin with [God I've got many things to discuss about Indian Literature]
I am reading Midnight's Children by Rushdie & its taking forever to end. Personally I didn't like the book too much. Too...filmsy...In my class we are describing it as an Ekta Kapoor creation [Madhuri might know what I'm talking about ;)]. One cannot possibly compare it with One Hundred Years of Solitude. I've decided not to read any more of Rushdie's work.

Well, I read in the previous posts about me suggesting a few Indian writers or works. Arundhati Roy is good, Rabindranath Tagore is EXCELLENT, one can read a Shobha De.

Also, presently I'm reading a Colonial text by a woman author [this was an exception in the 19th century Indian scenario]. Its called Saguna by Krupabai Satthianandan. A wonderful narraive about the condition of women back then. If you want to taste a South Indian flavor then you can read R.K.Narayan. His important works include - Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, Guide just to name a few.

In the poetry genre, India has Sarojini Naidu, Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore, Henry Derozio [though controversially called "Indian"] & many more.

So I guess we can discuss all this here in this thread. Any suggestions or complaints welcomed. :nod:

[Logos]

I've read V.S. Naipaul's novel Magic Seeds (2004) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375407367/103-5804189-5439867?v=glance&n=283155), it was great though he is a controversial writer. He is of Hindu heritage, born in Trinidad, now living in England and has won many honours including the Nobel Prize (2001).

Oh and just to let everyone know.. Rabindranath Tagore and his works, as well as the Mahabharata and The Book of Good Counsels, Nala and Damayanti, The Ramayana etc are on the list to be added to the etexts :)

[SleepyWitch]

wow, that's great :) I tried to order Tagore from another univ library and got an e-mail around 5 weeks after I'd placed the order, saying my request was denied, so I can't get hold of any of his works...
yeeeha :)

[Skipping Record]

I took a South Asian Literature class last semester, focused around Rushdie's A Moor's Last Sigh, Roy's The God of Small Things, Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance, and Babsi Sidhwa's Cracking India.

Of them, I liked Rushdie's best (and this particular novel of his hasn't been brought up yet). I haven't read anything else of his (although I recently bought The Satanic Verses,) and I was surprised by his wit and word-play. I'm wondering if Verses is as humorous as The Moor's Last Sigh?

A Fine Balance was completely tragic and had me crying by chapter two or so. Though I am a fairly emotional reader, so I may not be the best judge.

I liked the anti-chronological form of Small Things. It tickles my Slaughterhouse Five-non-linear-loving fancy.

[Madhuri]

<i>A Fine Balance</i> was completely tragic and had me crying by chapter two or so. Though I am a fairly emotional reader, so I may not be the best judge.

Oh, I really liked 'Fine Balance,' it was a sad tale but it also shows the willingness to try surviving in this world. I read 'Crow Eaters' by Bapsi Sidhwa and it is a fantastic novel about Parsis. What I like about these authors is how well they present the psychology of the characters.

[subterranean]

Define 'Indian.'

Literature written/about people in India?


I read Ramayana and Mahabharata when I was a kid and I completly love these epics. I also have watched the movie and the series (Mahabharata).

One of my most fav parts in Mahabharata is when the Pandavas lost the gamble and as the price, Kauravas disrobe Draupadi in front of the entire court. But then the great Krishna saved her honour! :thumbs_up

I have also checked out some parts of Bhagavad Gita, which is truly an inspiring literature :nod:

[abirpal]

I think the correct term is Indians writing in English. Anway rather than discusssing on what defines an Indian, an issue that has been discussed ad nauseum, its better to focus on the exciting work that is emerging. Vikram Seth, Amitabh Ghosh, Alan Seally, Jhumpa Lahiri just to name a few...another writer who has painted a very authentic picture of contemporary India in his best book is Upamanyu Chatterjee in English August.

[Jean-Baptiste]

Welcome to the forum, abirpal! I really appreciate your recommendations; I'll look into them. I was under the impression that this thread was focused on Indian literary works, rather than definitions. You must understand that Eastern literature is sadly not as rampant as it ought to be; so, speaking for myself of course, some definitions are needed from the start to make sure that we're all on the same page. I look forward to your contribution to the thread, and to the forum in general. :)

[abirpal]

Dear Jean-Baptiste

Many thanks for your warm welcome. Just stumbled on this forum a few days back and must say it is quite addictive. Carrying on the theme on Indian writing I can think of two other examples which are very original and yet are shorn of the hype which accompanies most authors nowadays. R K Narayanan, especially his Malgudi Days and Ruskin Bond. They both capture India and Indian life very vividly and yet is accessible to people living outside India also...at least that is what one thinks...so what are you reading now?
.............

[inDeniaL]

i have read a few indian literary works-autobiography of a yogi by swami vivekananda, a very revelating piece of work.
and also r.k.narayan' books....there was one story i liked most-the malgudi days.....

[Jean-Baptiste]

Welcome, inDeniaL! Thanks for the suggestions. My list is really multiplying. Can you tell us anything about what Narayan has to say?