Indian Writing in English by Dr. S. Priya Dharsini and K. Makeshwari, published by Mahaveer Publications, is a comprehensive textbook designed as per the NEP and CBCS syllabus for B.A. English Major students of 4th Semester (Dibrugarh University), 2nd Semester (Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura Universities), and 3rd Semester (Assam and other Indian Universities & Autonomous Colleges).

The book explores the rich landscape of Indian literature written in English, tracing its evolution from the colonial era to contemporary times. It includes representative works from major poets, novelists, dramatists, and essayists who shaped Indian literary expression in English. The text blends literary analysis with historical and cultural insights, helping students understand themes such as nationalism, identity, postcolonialism, and modernity in Indian English writing.

Ideal for English Honours and Literature students, the book serves as both a syllabus-oriented guide and an inspiring exploration of India’s literary journey through the English language.

Course Content

Unit I: Historical and Literary Context

• Indian English

• Indian English Literature and its Readership

• Themes and Contexts of the Indian English Novel

• The Aesthetics of Indian English Poetry: An In-Depth Exploration

• Modernism in Indian English Literature

• The Nation and Indian English Literature

Unit II: Post-Independence Indian English Novel

1. The English Teacher – R.K. Narayan

2. Swami and Friends – R.K. Narayan

3. The Shadow Lines – Amitav Ghosh

4. Fasting, Feasting – Anita Desai

Unit III: Indian English Poetry

• Freedom to the Slave

• The Orphan Girl

• To India – My Native Land – Henry Louis Vivian Derozio

• My Grandmother’s House – Kamala Das

• A Very Indian Poem in Indian English

• Enterprise

• Night of the Scorpion

• Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T.S. – Nissim Ezekiel

• A Poem for Mother

• The Strange Affair of Robin S. Ngangom – Robin S. Ngangom

• De Souza Prabhu – Eunice de Souza

• Swimming Lesson – Rohinton Mistry

Unit IV: Indian English Short Stories

• The Free Radio – Salman Rushdie

• Two Lady Rams – Mulk Raj Anand

• The Intrusion – Shashi Deshpande

• The Wilted Flower – Arup Kumar Dutta

Unit V: Drama

• Tara – Mahesh Dattani