General Awareness ยท English Language

Indian Literature and Authors

9,599 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

Who among the following scholars is considered as the founder of the Progressive Writers' Movement in India?

  1. Premchand

  2. Munshi Premchand

  3. Sajjad Zaheer

  4. Ahmed Ali
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sajjad Zaheer was a prominent Indian writer, journalist, and political activist who is considered as the founder of the Progressive Writers' Movement in India, which aimed to promote social and political consciousness through literature.

Multiple choice

Which literary scholar is known for his work on the history of Malayalam literature?

  1. Vallathol Narayana Menon

  2. G. Sankara Kurup

  3. K.M. George

  4. Sukumar Azhikode
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sukumar Azhikode was a renowned Malayalam literary critic and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Malayalam literature, particularly its history and development.

Multiple choice

Who among the following scholars is credited with introducing the concept of 'cultural nationalism' in Indian literary criticism?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Sri Aurobindo

  3. K.M. Munshi

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

K.M. Munshi was a prominent Indian politician, writer, and literary critic who introduced the concept of 'cultural nationalism' in Indian literary criticism, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting India's cultural heritage.

Multiple choice

Which literary scholar is known for his contributions to the study of Tamil literature?

  1. Subramania Bharati

  2. Bharathiyar

  3. U.V. Swaminatha Iyer

  4. T.P. Meenakshisundaram
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

T.P. Meenakshisundaram was a distinguished Tamil literary scholar and critic who made significant contributions to the study of Tamil literature, particularly its classical and modern periods.

Multiple choice

Who among the following scholars is considered as the father of modern Marathi literature?

  1. Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar

  2. Narayan Hari Apte

  3. P.K. Atre

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

Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar was a prominent Marathi writer, playwright, and novelist who is considered as the father of modern Marathi literature for his groundbreaking works that revolutionized the genre.

Multiple choice

Who among the following scholars is credited with introducing the concept of 'Dalit literature' in Indian literary criticism?

  1. B.R. Ambedkar

  2. Jyotiba Phule

  3. Dhananjay Keer

  4. Namdeo Dhasal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Namdeo Dhasal was a prominent Marathi poet, writer, and activist who is credited with introducing the concept of 'Dalit literature' in Indian literary criticism, focusing on the experiences and struggles of the marginalized Dalit community.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author is known for her feminist writings, challenging traditional gender roles and exploring women's experiences?

  1. Amrita Pritam

  2. Rabindranath Tagore

  3. R.K. Narayan

  4. Mulk Raj Anand
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Amrita Pritam is a prominent Indian writer known for her feminist perspective and exploration of women's issues in her works.

Multiple choice

In the novel (\text{Godan}) by Premchand, how does the character of Hori Ram reflect the impact of gender on his life and social status?

  1. He is depicted as a strong and independent individual, unaffected by gender roles.

  2. His masculinity is challenged due to his inability to provide for his family.

  3. He is portrayed as a victim of societal expectations and gender-based discrimination.

  4. His gender allows him to assert authority and control within his family.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In (\text{Godan}), Hori Ram's inability to fulfill the traditional masculine role of provider challenges his sense of masculinity and leads to social and familial conflicts.

Multiple choice

In the novel (\text{The God of Small Things}) by Arundhati Roy, how does the character of Ammu challenge traditional gender roles and expectations?

  1. She is portrayed as a submissive and obedient wife, conforming to societal norms.

  2. She is depicted as a strong and independent woman, defying societal expectations.

  3. Her gender is irrelevant to the themes explored in the novel.

  4. She is portrayed as a victim of patriarchal oppression, unable to break free from traditional roles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In (\text{The God of Small Things}), Ammu's character challenges traditional gender roles and expectations by asserting her independence, making her own choices, and defying societal norms.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author is known for his exploration of gender identity and sexuality in his literary works?

  1. Vikram Seth

  2. Raja Rao

  3. Nissim Ezekiel

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

Vikram Seth is an Indian author known for his exploration of gender identity and sexuality in his works, particularly in his novel (\text{A Suitable Boy}).

Multiple choice

In the novel (\text{The Inheritance of Loss}) by Kiran Desai, how does the character of Sai reflect the changing gender roles and expectations in contemporary Indian society?

  1. She is portrayed as a traditional and submissive woman, adhering to societal norms.

  2. She is depicted as a strong and independent woman, challenging societal expectations.

  3. Her gender is irrelevant to the themes explored in the novel.

  4. She is portrayed as a victim of patriarchal oppression, unable to break free from traditional roles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In (\text{The Inheritance of Loss}), Sai's character represents the changing gender roles and expectations in contemporary Indian society as she navigates her own path and challenges traditional norms.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author is known for her exploration of gender and sexuality in her short stories and novels?

  1. Anita Desai

  2. Jhumpa Lahiri

  3. Nayantara Sahgal

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

Jhumpa Lahiri is an Indian-American author known for her exploration of gender and sexuality in her works, particularly in her short story collection (\text{Interpreter of Maladies}).

Multiple choice

In the novel (\text{The White Tiger}) by Aravind Adiga, how does the character of Balram Halwai challenge traditional notions of masculinity and social hierarchy?

  1. He is portrayed as a submissive and obedient servant, conforming to societal norms.

  2. He is depicted as a strong and independent individual, defying societal expectations.

  3. His gender is irrelevant to the themes explored in the novel.

  4. He is portrayed as a victim of patriarchal oppression, unable to break free from traditional roles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In (\text{The White Tiger}), Balram Halwai's character challenges traditional notions of masculinity and social hierarchy by asserting his agency, making his own choices, and defying societal norms.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author is known for her feminist retellings of Indian mythology, challenging traditional gender narratives?

  1. Devdutt Pattanaik

  2. Shashi Tharoor

  3. Anita Nair

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

Devdutt Pattanaik is an Indian author and mythologist known for his feminist retellings of Indian mythology, challenging traditional gender narratives and exploring the perspectives of female characters.

Multiple choice

In the novel (\text{The Palace of Illusions}) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, how does the character of Draupadi challenge traditional gender roles and expectations in the epic (\text{Mahabharata})?

  1. She is portrayed as a submissive and obedient wife, conforming to societal norms.

  2. She is depicted as a strong and independent woman, defying societal expectations.

  3. Her gender is irrelevant to the themes explored in the novel.

  4. She is portrayed as a victim of patriarchal oppression, unable to break free from traditional roles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In (\text{The Palace of Illusions}), Draupadi's character challenges traditional gender roles and expectations by asserting her agency, making her own choices, and defying societal norms.