General Awareness ยท English Language

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 of the following is a famous Marathi poem about social justice?

  1. Powada

  2. Lavani

  3. Bhaktigeet

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

Powada is a famous Marathi poem about social justice. It is a type of ballad that typically tells the story of a hero or heroine who fights for justice.

Multiple choice

In Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, what is the protagonist's struggle with?

  1. His dual cultural identity as an Indian-American.

  2. His desire to live up to his family's expectations.

  3. His search for a sense of belonging and purpose.

  4. His struggle with mental illness and addiction.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gogol Ganguli, the protagonist of The Namesake, struggles with his dual cultural identity as an Indian-American. He feels torn between the traditional values of his Indian heritage and the modern, Westernized values of his American upbringing.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's works have been widely translated and acclaimed internationally?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

  4. Vikram Seth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore is one of the most translated Indian authors, with his works being rendered into over 100 languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish.

Multiple choice

Who is considered to be one of the pioneers of feminist literary criticism in India?

  1. Susie Tharu

  2. K. Lalita

  3. Gayatri Spivak

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Susie Tharu, K. Lalita, and Gayatri Spivak are all prominent figures in feminist literary criticism in India. They have made significant contributions to the field through their writings and research.

Multiple choice

Which Indian poet won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Sarojini Naidu

  3. Toru Dutt

  4. Harindranath Chattopadhyay
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his profound and sensitive verse, which explored themes of love, loss, and the spiritual journey.

Multiple choice

Who is known as the 'Father of Modern Hindi Literature'?

  1. Premchand

  2. Jaishankar Prasad

  3. Mahadevi Verma

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

Premchand, also known as Dhanpat Rai, is considered the 'Father of Modern Hindi Literature' for his prolific and influential body of work, which explored social and economic issues and depicted the lives of ordinary people.

Multiple choice

Which Indian poet is known for his powerful and evocative poetry about the Partition of India?

  1. Faiz Ahmed Faiz

  2. Amrita Pritam

  3. Sahir Ludhianvi

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

Amrita Pritam, a Punjabi poet, is renowned for her poignant and moving poetry about the Partition of India, particularly her poem 'Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu' ('Today I Call Out to Waris Shah').

Multiple choice

Which Indian poet is known for his experimental and modernist poetry, including 'The Broken Wings'?

  1. Nissim Ezekiel

  2. A.K. Ramanujan

  3. Jayanta Mahapatra

  4. Arun Kolatkar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Nissim Ezekiel, an Indian poet and playwright, is known for his experimental and modernist poetry. His collection 'The Broken Wings' explores themes of alienation, identity, and the human condition.

Multiple choice

Which Indian poet is known for his experimental and surrealist poetry, including 'The Blood of the Moon'?

  1. Dilip Chitre

  2. Arun Kolatkar

  3. Jayanta Mahapatra

  4. A.K. Ramanujan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Dilip Chitre, an Indian poet and artist, is known for his experimental and surrealist poetry. His collection 'The Blood of the Moon' explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human existence.

Multiple choice

Which Indian poet is known for his powerful and evocative poetry about the Partition of India and its aftermath?

  1. Faiz Ahmed Faiz

  2. Amrita Pritam

  3. Sahir Ludhianvi

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

Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a Pakistani poet and activist, is known for his powerful and evocative poetry about the Partition of India and its aftermath. His work often explored themes of love, loss, and the struggle for social justice.

Multiple choice

In the film "Pyaasa", the protagonist Vijay is a struggling poet who is unable to find success. What is the main reason for his struggles?

  1. He is not talented enough

  2. He is not persistent enough

  3. He is not lucky enough

  4. He is not connected enough
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Vijay's struggles are primarily due to his lack of connections in the literary world. He is talented and persistent, but he is unable to get his work published because he does not know the right people.

Multiple choice

In the film "Bandit Queen", the protagonist Phoolan Devi is a woman who becomes a bandit after being subjected to violence and oppression. What is the main reason for her transformation?

  1. She is seeking revenge

  2. She is trying to protect her family

  3. She is fighting for justice

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Phoolan Devi becomes a bandit for a combination of reasons, including seeking revenge, protecting her family, and fighting for justice against the oppressive caste system.

Multiple choice

In the film "Bandit Queen", the protagonist Phoolan Devi is a woman who becomes a bandit after being subjected to violence and oppression. What is the main reason for her transformation?

  1. She is seeking revenge

  2. She is trying to protect her family

  3. She is fighting for justice

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Phoolan Devi becomes a bandit for a combination of reasons, including seeking revenge, protecting her family, and fighting for justice against the oppressive caste system.

Multiple choice

Who among the following is known for his work on the history of Indian literature?

  1. A.K. Ramanujan

  2. C.D. Narasimhaiah

  3. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar

  4. G.N. Devy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar was a renowned Indian literary scholar and critic who is known for his extensive work on the history of Indian literature. He authored several books on the subject, including 'Indian Writing in English' and 'The History of Kannada Literature'.

Multiple choice

Which scholar is credited with pioneering the study of Indian English literature?

  1. Mulk Raj Anand

  2. Raja Rao

  3. Nissim Ezekiel

  4. A.K. Ramanujan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mulk Raj Anand is widely regarded as the pioneer of Indian English literature. He was among the first Indian writers to write in English and is known for his novels such as 'Untouchable' and 'Coolie'. Anand's work helped to establish Indian English literature as a distinct and vibrant field of study.