V. S. Naipaul’s Motiveless Malignity: A Study of Cultural and Emotional Past of his India Essays

Abstract

Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, the Nobel Laureate, is a celebrated name in the world of literature. He is known for his precise and remarkable prose writings. He won numerous accolades for his precision in fiction and non-fiction. His works are replete with insight and acute observation of master craftsmanship. He was an Indian-origin Trinidadian-born British Citizen. During his upbringing, he got the Indian atmosphere at his home but he could never connect himself the way his ancestors did with the land and the people. He, himself, admits that he only knew his mother and father beyond that his ancestry is “blurred”. From his childhood, he heard so many stories about India that there developed a sort of fascination for the land. He decided to visit India and finally, he paid his first visit in the 60s. India has been a land of wonders for people around the world. Those, who never had been here read about the land and the people through the travelogues. He wrote three books on India which are known as The Indian Trilogy. Though they are controversial in nature, the minute observation of the author is laudable. Apart from the trilogy he wrote six essays between (1962 and 2006) namely – In the middle of the journey (1962), Jamshed into Jimmy (1963), A Second Visit (1967), The election in Ajmer (1971), Looking and not Seeing: the Indian way (2005-2006), India Again: the Mahatma and After (2005-2006). The paper is an endeavor to highlight his prejudices, his biased nature, and his malignity towards India and her people.