Novel: Themes, Background, Types

Name: Baraiya Saryu D.

Subject: Indian Writing in English (Paper-4)

Topic: Novel: Themes, Background, Types

Roll no: 30

Study: MA

Year: Semester – I

Guided By: Heenamadam

Submitted To: Department of English

University: MKBU

The Novel: Themes, Background, Types

Introduction:

The ‘novel’ is a type of literature that we know. This novel is a new trend to India. Novel is very new and recent form of literature. All others form of literature like, Epics, short stories, poems, dramas, lyrics, ballads and etc... are very old and respected forms among art and literature lovers. These all forms of literature are very old and introduced before many centuries in India. But novel is very new form of literature for India and it is only during a period of little more than a century. It has occurred and taken root in India. Now we have a small question that we are taking about novel but what is the novel? We all know about the novel, form of literature but very few among us know the proper definition of novel. So we will begin with definition of novel:

“Novel means the long sustained piece of prose fiction.”

            Now we are going to discuss about India’s literature of novel. We all know that novel is very new form of literature and it is introduced in India in near period of time. But some scholars deny to it and they put some examples of Sanskrit works like:

Bana’s Kadambari

Subandhu’s Vasavadutta

They all use to say that these works of Sanskrit are also novels and I think they are right at some extent but at the same time I believe that description given in all that works are not appropriate. These works are proud of our regional literature, it is like a marble stone or we can say it benchmark of our literature but we can call it novel because it’s formatting differs from formatting of novel. These works has long narration and story and plot and even sub-plot, too. But then even it is not pure form of novel in Indian literature. We have to wait for novel till half of the 19^th century. For the very first time in our India pure novel is not written. Christian missionaries had translated ‘Bible’ with the help of Indian scholars in regional and public languages of India. ‘Bible’ is in pure prose so it cans conceder as first translated novel or prose work in Indian literature. And after that translation, prose currency came in power or we can say it that prose work becomes handy for official use, records, and journalism. End even our old Sanskrit Classics translated in prose work into the spoken languages of the people. Even our scholars translate Western literature in our own language and they also translate novels and other literature, too. This translation takes form of adaptation or summary kind of transformation. Like this first step toward new form of literature ‘novel’ is over.

            After the first step another step is new step or we can call it next step was the composition of new/original works. But in it our scholars have their own limitations. At the beginning they try to imitate Western authors or they wrote under the inspiration of Western models. Now a day’s situation is changed. In current situation original work of literature is published in dozen of Indian languages and English language, too. And many other novels of different languages and even novels of English literature are published in regional languages of India. It was in Bengal that the ‘literary renaissance’ first manifested itself in English literature. But afterwards that renaissance can be seen in Mumbai, Madras and other parts of India as well.

              In our India first novel is written in Bengali and it was named as ‘Alaler Gharer Dulal’. This novel is published in 1858. Afterwards it was translated in English as ‘Spoilt Son of a Rich Family’. This novel is also noted by Jack Wilton in The History of the novel in India. This novel is noted as a pioneer work.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee:

            We have to note that real beginnings were with the work of the great Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. His first novel was published in 1864, in English and it was named as ‘Rajmohan’s wife’. And in 1864 he wrote another novel in Bengali named ‘Durgeshnandini’. But afterwards it was translated in English in 1890. His many other novels appeared between 1866 and 1886. They all are as under.

v  Kapalkundala

v  Vishvriksha(The Poison Tree: A Tale of Hindu Life in Bengali)

v  Krishnakantar Uyil(Krishnakanta’s Will)

v  Anandmath

v  Devi Chaudhurani

and many others. And all these novels were translated in English sooner or later. Bankim contributed a lot in Bengali and English literature. And even he tries to show social and culture problems of society in his works of literature. He was master of romantic and historical novel and he himself confessed:

“I am a teacher or nothing”.

In his two novels, named ‘The poison Tree’ and ‘Krishnakanta’s Will’, a married man fall in love with a young widow and his struggle for his love. By this type of plays he tried to throw light on life of a Hindu young widow. This is the real motif of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Indian fiction. He was mostly inspired by Tod and Scott. But ‘Anandmath’ is known as Bankim’s best work in Indian writing in English in novel form. It was published in 1882. The Hinduism, Hindu widow, sannyasi, and many more characters, which are represents Indian society and rigidity, are most noticeable characters in fiction of Bankim’s writing.  

Rabindranath Tagore:

            Rabindranath Tagore is known as man of religion. He is always memorable for his work ‘Gitanjali’, In ‘Gitanjali’ poet tries to incarnating the spirit of India, a prophet of the Religion of Man. But Tagore is very noticeable novelist also. Tagore achieved his first success with ‘Choker Bali’ and it was published in 1902. That novel was translated in English as ‘Binodini’ by Krishna Kriplani.

“Here for the first time in Indian literature the actions and reactions arising out of the impact of the external happenings.”

                                                                                                            -Dr. Sukumar Sen

‘Binodini’ is also story of a young widow, too. But Tagore is different than Bankim and he was more convincing in storytelling and in psychological study of character of novel. So his skills give him new height as a novelist in Indian writing in English.  Tagore’s other work named, ‘Yogayog’ is also noticeable work. Its main character, Kumudini gives us remembrance of character Nora in Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’. Like this Tagore was very great figure at that time and even in now days also.

Sarat Chandra Chatterjee:

            Sarat Chandra was also famous during that era. He also started with imitating Tagore and Bankim but after that he also shows his real knowledge. He mostly wrote in last decket of 19^th century and first two dacet of 20^th century. Sarat also passed from the stage of Tagore and Bankim and his experiences give him real identity of writer. His some famous, best and noticeable works are,

v  Shrikanta

v  Grihadaha

v  Pather Dabi

v  Bipradas

v  Ses Prasna

He wrote all his works in regional languages but most of his works are translated by other scholars in English. Like ‘Shrikanta’ was translated by K. C. Sen and Theodosia Thompson. Sarat Chandra tries to portray tears and sweat of lower class and poor class and even people who has no class, with his literary works. For Sarat Chandra we can easily say that he was complete novelist who use his art simultaneously as a camera, as a surgeon’s knife, and also as a chalice of hope.  

             Many other writers also wrote novels in that mean time. Like,

v  Raj Lakshmi Devi’s ‘The Hindu Wife’ in 1876

v  Toru Datta’s ‘Bianca’ in 1878

v  Kali Krishna Lahiri’s ‘Roshinara’ in 1881

v  H. Dutt’s ‘Bijoy Chand’ in 1878

v  Khetrapal Chakravarti’s ‘Sarata and Hingana’ in 1895

These all novels were written in English, have for us today no more than an antiquarian or historical interest. This trio, Bankim-Tagore-Sarat was known as ‘triune glory’ of that time but some other outstanding novelists were also there in that time of era. Their names are only have been scouring the ocean of everyday life in Bengal. Their names are,

      Tarasankar Bandyopadhyaya

      Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhyaya

      Manik Bandyopadhyaya

      Naini Bhaumik

      Gajendrakumar Mitra

      Manoj Basu

            Now a days novel is living and involving form of literature. It is the only form which is known as reader friendly form of literature. And now in our India novel becomes more and more popular among the readers. For our convenience we divided novels in some schools. These schools are based on theme of novel. Many novels have common theme but different aspects. So this type of schooling helps us to understand about history, time, settings, and etc. about novels and novel’s background in Indian writing in English.

River novel:

            Our India is known as country of religion. We are considering river as our life line and we all know that our life is gift from our mother. So we always pray river as our mother and all river of India are very peas and holey for us. River is like a part of our life and we cannot imagine our life without river. So this very important part of our life becomes part of our literature. Many novels have theme of river. In many novels river plays vital role as it is also an important character of novel. So that type of all novels is known as ‘RIVER NOVEL’. In this type of novel action takes place by the side of a river. As an example,

o   In Rajanikanta Baradoloi’s novel ‘Miri-Jiyari’, the river Subansri is a participant in the action.

o   K. S. Vankataramani’s ‘Murugan: The Tiller’, evoking the village on the Cauvery.

o   Humayun Kabir’s ‘Men and Rivers’, action takes place on the bank of the Padma.

o   R. K. Narayan’s most of the novels take place in Malgudi on the bank of the Sarayu.

o   Raja Rao’s ‘Kanthapura’, the river Hemavathy is a person and in novel ‘The Serpent and the Rope’, the Ganges is almost a goddess.

All these rivers as character show feminine power and personality of India.

Assam Novel:

            Assam’s tea gardens and estates are very famous for their beauty and some novels are takes place in Assam. Those all novels describe beauty and situation of Assam. So, all those novels are known as ASSAM NOVEL. Assam’s life of plantation is shown by the authors in this type of novels. As an example,

• Beena Barua’s ‘Senji Patar Kahni’, the theme of novel is life in tea gardens of Assam.
• Mulk Raj Anand’s ‘Two Leaves and a Bud’, is a strong study of life in tea-estate of Assam.
• Raja Rao’s ‘Kanthapura’, takes place in estate of coffee.
• Manohar Malgonkar’s ‘Combat of Shadow’, also places in Assam tea-estate.  

In all these novels main point is politics and human emotions and this theme is shown in more sophisticated style.

History Novel:

            Our India has powerful past and our history portion is quite good and enough. So our many writers were fascinated towards our history and take some point or part of our history and elaborate in form of novel. History gives them challenge to show their creativity in limitations and that is the real charm of writing. So, history is the most favorite part of our literature which writers want to retell in novel. So, this type of novels known as ‘HISTORY NOVEL’.  As an example,

• Hari Narayan Apte describes history of Maratha in novel, ‘Ushakal’.
• T. Ramkrishna’s ‘Padmini’, is shows romance of 16^th century and leading us towards battle of Talikote.
• Romesh Chander Dutt’s ‘The Slave Girl of Agra’, is historical romance.
• Sir Jogendar Singh’s ‘Nur Jahan’, also based on romantic story of history.
•  Vimala Raina’s ‘Ambapali’, takes us back in days of Ajat Shatru and tells us story of dancer.
• A. S. P. Ayyar’s ‘Baladitya’ and ‘Chanakya and Chadragupta’.

These all novels takes bake us in ancient time and place. These novels give us knowledge of history with new portration and new significance and also new vision to look towards history and our past.

Modern Novel:

            Some novels are shown political issues and time situation of that era. Those novels take part to bring revolution in society, for the sake of society. Those novels are known as ‘MODERN NOVEL’.  Some noticeable modern novels are,

• Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘The Home and The World’ and ‘Four Chapters’.
•  Mulk Raj Anand’s ‘The Sword and The Sickel’.
• K. A. Abbas’s ‘Inqilab’.
• K. S. Venkataramani’s ‘Kandan: The Parriot’.
• Raja Rao’s ‘Kanthapura’
• N. S. Phadke’s ‘Leaves in the August’.
• Bhabani Bhattacharya’s ‘So Many Hungers’,
• R. K. Narayan’s ‘Waiting for the Mahatma’,
• Kamala Markandaya’s ‘Some Inner Fury’, and many more.

Partition Novel:

            Our India is parted with Pakistan in 1947 and afterwards partition becomes the main theme for novel because partition creates very strong image on mind of people. People had to suffer a lot during the time of partition. Many families were ruined because of it. Partition creates a horror on mind of people. So, that time is also known as ‘Partition horror’. Our writers try to draw real picture of partition with the help of literature. Those novels are known as ‘PARTITION NOVEL’. Some examples are,

• Khushwant Sigh’s ‘Train to Pakistan’, we can find horror in this novel but good point is that we can find humanity also. This work is perfect balance of both.
• Balachandra Rajan’s ‘The Dark Dancer’.
• Manohar Malgonkar’s ‘A Bend in the Ganges’.

These all novels show horror of partition during that time. We cannot even imagine the situation of that time. Devendra Satyarthi quoted that,

“No literature based on hate and prejudice can really be great. It was a drama of degradation and shame, a drama of human decay, showing how the minds of the two communities were poisoned by the dogma of two-nation theory.”

And personally I think that he is right.

Novels of Social Criticism:

            We all know that literature is just a mirror of the society. We can find all those things in literature which we can feel around us. We also can say that,

“Literature is Criticism of the society”

because our authors criticize our society with their writings. Novel is very famous form of literature so to reach to more people, writers chooses novels to criticize society. Those novels are known as ‘NOVELS OF SOCIAL CRITICISM’. Let’s see some example of it.

• Romesh Chunder Dutt’s ‘The Lake of Palms’, is a critical study of social life in Bengal.
•  T. Ramkrishna’s ‘The Dive of Death’, takes place around superstitions and which makes people cowards.
• S. K. Ghosh’s ‘The Prince of Destiny: The New Krishna’, portrays utopian East and West.
• S M. Mitra’s ‘Hindupore: A Peep behind the Indian Unrest’, is apolitical satire in social way.
• Sir Jogindra Singh’s ‘Nasrin’ and ‘Kamni’.
•  Balkrishna’s ‘The Love of Kusuma’ shows social life, culture, society, region and etc of Panjab.
• Firoz Khan Noon’s ‘Scented Dust’, is full fo love and intrigue for love.
• Dewan Sharar’s ‘The Gong of Shiva’, is also deals with the theme of love and intigue.
• Ahmed Ali’s ‘Twilight in Delhi’, leads us towards life of Muslims in Delhi.

Sannyasi Novel:

            Our India is known as country of sadhu, sannyasi, math, bava, fakir. So they all have a special part in our literature. Some novels are also based on sannyasies. So, all those novels are known as ‘SANNYASI NOVEL’. We can get examples like,

o   Bhabani Bhattacharya’s ‘He Who Rides a Tiger’.

o   R. K. Narayan’s ‘The Guide’. 

o   Kamala Markandaya’s ‘A Silence of Desire’ and ‘Possession’.

o   Anand Lall’s ‘Seasons of Jupiter’.

o   Shri Devudu’s ‘Mahabrahmana’.

o   K. M. Munshi’s epic novel ‘Bhagwan Parashurama’

Most of them novels have story of fake sadhu or sannyasi and his cheat to society.

Conclusion:

                        At the very beginning of form of novel in India our authors faces many problems. First of all form of novel came very late in India so it was give feelings of down trodden, after that very difficult task is to write in another language than our own regional language, after that what to write was the biggest question. What can be the subject of novel, what are the main aspects of novel and all that things confuses our writers. They solve that problem with some imitations and their personal knowledge. And at the end even main problem is length of novel. How to write that much long novel in other language?          

            Here we were discussing major themes and types of novel in Indian Writing in English. In olden times, these novels were known as Indo-Anglian Novel. Our writers never attracted towards new techniques of plotting, narration or characterizations of novel. They repeating just same all the time and it is conceder our writers’ limitations. But most of them started with translating literary work, then imitating style and story of foreign writers. But now slowly and steadily situation is changing. Now our writers have their own story to tell to readers. Now they have no need to imitate foreign writers. At very beginning language is hurdle. To write in foreign language is bit difficult task for our others but now it is not so. Our writers still have face problems to express real expression of characters but they can manage it easily. Now a days novel becomes most famous form of literature in Indian writing in English. Now youth like to read novels more than any other form of literature. Now Indian novels are also parted in parts like classic novels and popular novels. In recent era Chetan Bhagat, Arvind Adiga, Jumpa Lahiri, Amitav Ghosh, and many others came in recent novelist. They are popular now days. In recent time language of novel and literature is changed and different then olden one. But we can easily recognize that that time is different and now time is different. So, we can enjoy old and new both type of literature.

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