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Indian Literature and Authors

9,907 Questions

Indian Literature and Authors is a crucial topic for competitive exams, focusing on famous writers, notable books, and literary awards. Questions cover various regional, postcolonial, and historical texts. This collection helps test takers prepare effectively for general awareness sections.

Famous Indian authorsNotable Indian novelsPostcolonial literatureLiterary award winnersRegional Indian literature

Indian Literature and Authors Questions

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian writer is known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian fable, the Panchatantra, in his novel "The Great Indian Novel"?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Shashi Tharoor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Shashi Tharoor's novel "The Great Indian Novel" is a reinterpretation of the ancient Indian fable, the Panchatantra, set in modern India.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian poet is known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Rigveda, in his poems?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Nissim Ezekiel
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nissim Ezekiel is a modern Indian poet known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Rigveda, in his poems.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian philosopher is known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Upanishads, in his writings?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Jiddu Krishnamurti is a modern Indian philosopher known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Upanishads, in his writings.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian playwright is known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Natya Shastra, in his plays?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Girish Karnad
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Girish Karnad is a modern Indian playwright known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Natya Shastra, in his plays.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian writer is known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Kama Sutra, in his novel "The God of Small Things"?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Amitav Ghosh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Arundhati Roy's novel "The God of Small Things" is a reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Kama Sutra, set in modern India.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian writer is known for his reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Bhagavata Purana, in his novel "The Serpent and the Rope"?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Raja Rao
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Raja Rao's novel "The Serpent and the Rope" is a reinterpretation of the ancient Indian text, the Bhagavata Purana, set in modern India.

Multiple choice

In Vishakhadatta's play "Mudrarakshasa", what is the primary objective of the protagonist Chanakya?

  1. To restore the rightful heir to the throne

  2. To avenge the death of his family

  3. To acquire wealth and power

  4. To establish a new kingdom
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chanakya's primary goal in "Mudrarakshasa" is to reinstate the rightful heir, Chandragupta Maurya, to the throne.

Multiple choice

In Kalidasa's play "Vikramorvashiyam", what is the central conflict between the protagonist Pururavas and the celestial nymph Urvashi?

  1. A misunderstanding leading to separation

  2. A clash of social classes

  3. A difference in values and priorities

  4. A political power struggle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The central conflict in "Vikramorvashiyam" arises from a misunderstanding that leads to the separation of Pururavas and Urvashi.

Multiple choice

In Vishakhadatta's play "Pancharatra", what is the primary conflict that arises between the characters?

  1. A political power struggle

  2. A love triangle

  3. A clash of ideologies

  4. A supernatural threat
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

"Pancharatra" revolves around a political power struggle between rival factions.

Multiple choice

Which Santhali poet is known for her powerful and moving poems about the experiences of Santhal migrant workers?

  1. Rita Murmu

  2. Anita Murmu

  3. Sunita Murmu

  4. Rekha Murmu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rita Murmu's poetry often delves into the struggles and hardships faced by Santhal migrant workers, shedding light on their sacrifices and contributions to society.

Multiple choice

Who was the first recipient of the RedInk Award for Excellence in Literary Journalism?

  1. Khushwant Singh

  2. Nirmal Verma

  3. Ruskin Bond

  4. Anita Desai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Nirmal Verma was the first recipient of the RedInk Award for Excellence in Literary Journalism in 2005.

Multiple choice

Who is considered the father of modern Indian literary criticism?

  1. A.K. Ramanujan

  2. M.H. Abrams

  3. F.R. Leavis

  4. T.S. Eliot
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A.K. Ramanujan is widely regarded as the father of modern Indian literary criticism. He was a poet, translator, and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Indian literature in English.

Multiple choice

Which Indian literary scholar is known for his work on the concept of 'Indianness' in literature?

  1. G.N. Devy

  2. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

  3. Homi K. Bhabha

  4. Ashis Nandy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

G.N. Devy is a prominent Indian literary scholar who has extensively written about the concept of 'Indianness' in literature. His work has been influential in shaping the discourse on Indian identity and culture.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of the book 'The Great Tradition: Critical Essays on Some of the Major Works of English Literature'?

  1. F.R. Leavis

  2. T.S. Eliot

  3. A.K. Ramanujan

  4. M.H. Abrams
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

F.R. Leavis is the author of the book 'The Great Tradition: Critical Essays on Some of the Major Works of English Literature'. This book is considered a classic work of literary criticism and has been influential in shaping the study of English literature.

Multiple choice

Which Indian literary scholar is known for her work on postcolonial theory?

  1. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

  2. Homi K. Bhabha

  3. Edward Said

  4. Dipesh Chakrabarty
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak is a prominent Indian literary scholar who is known for her work on postcolonial theory. Her work has been influential in shaping the discourse on postcolonialism and has contributed to the understanding of the relationship between power, knowledge, and representation.