Human relationship in the Novels of Nayantara Sahgal

Abstract

Nayantara Sahgal is an Indian writer in English. She was one of the first female Indian writers in English to receive wide recognition. Her concern for women is based more on humanism rather than that of feminism. Her feminism does not go beyond treating women as an individual. During 1950's period, Nayantara Sahgal emerged as one of the most significant voices among women writers in the contemporary Indian writing in English. Nayantara Sahgal is a prolific writer who has eight novels to her credit, two biographies, two political commentaries and a large number of articles in various newspapers and magazines. She is a recipient of the prestigious `Sahitya Akademi Award' for her novel ‘Rich Like Us’ (1985), the `Sinclair Award' and the 'Common Wealth Award for Eurasia' for her novel ‘Plans For Departure’ (1986). Her fiction is closely interwoven with the fabric of interpersonal relationships not in the political and social milieu of India. Various dimensions of human relationships, man-woman particularly are the main thesis, we do find in all her novels. Man-Woman relationship holds a vital place in these relationships and the novelist deals with this dimension of relationship with full concern and broad perspective.