Treatment of History in Select Contemporary Indian English Novels

Abstract

History and fiction share one trait in common and that is recording of events past, incidence, personalities, movements, etc. the difference between history and fiction is that history takes an objective view of the events whereas fiction takes a creative sweep. Both chronicle formation, development and evolution of nations in their own way. History fiction interface therefore becomes a virgin track to till for the Indian English novelist. Shashi Tharoor in The Great Indian Novel (1989), Geeta Mahta in Raj (1988) and Kiran Nagarkar in Cuckold (1997) explore this interface in their unique ways. Tharoor tries to atone himself with his present retrospectively with the help of history. Geeta Mehta tries to coalate east –west encounter along with cultural issues, historical facts and fantasy, realism and socio-political features at the time of independence. Kiran Nagarkar tries to achieve a transformation in the history or the lack of it.