MAHATMA GANDHI INFLUENCE IN INDIA IN ENGLISH NOVELS

Smt. Kishori Patel

Asst. prof. (English)

Govt. College, Kotri

Distt. Mugeli (C.G.)

Abstract :

Indian English literature was greatly influenced by the epoch-making developments in

Indian life during the period of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji believed in high thinking and
simple living which was reflected highlighted by the literary English author’s of the time
,mainly Raja Rao, Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan. All these writers portrayed the real
picture of the society from various perspectives in their novels, thereby presented the
influence of Gandhiji on Indian village and towns. As a writer Gandhiji was influenced by
Ramcharitmanas, Gita, Upanishads, Bible, Koran, Tolstoy, Ruskin, Emerson, Thoreau etc.
Gandhji gave a new strength to Indian languages that suffered neglect, indifference and
disgrace for a long time. Mahatma Gandhi was the central figure in the freedom struggle.
Many facets of the freedom struggle and contemporary social problems became the themes of
the then novels. Gandhiji’s personality and ideology also influenced Indian English novel of
the period. Raja Rao’s Kanthapura described the spontaneous response of Indian community
to the Gandhian Revolution. Mulk Raj Anand exposed evils of society and sympathized with
the underdog in The Untouchable, The Village, The Big Heart and short stories.
Venkatramani painted pictures of village life in Murugan, The Tiller and depicted the
Gandhian Movement in Kandan, The work of K.S. Venkatramani, Mulk Raj Anandand Raja
Rao would not perhaps have been possible had the miracle that was Gandhiji’s not occurred
during this period.