Narratology and the Modern Indian Novel

Book excerpt: Narratology and the Modern Indian Novel By Dr. Shikha Bhatnagar Narratology and the Modern Indian Novel is an interesting study of narrative inclusive of both Indian and Western narratological traditions and theories, tracing the impact of Indian aesthetic theory and Sanskrit poetics on the modern Indian novel in the employment of certain narrative techniques. It is a purview from Indian aesthetics and structuralist theories. The theme of this book is a negotiation of three important existing theoretical areas: Western criticism, Indian narrative tradition and aesthetic practice, and Translation Studies. The novel has evolved as the most important genre in modern India. It is undoubtedly inspired by the European narrative forms and has drawn considerably on the Indic narrative tradition as well. The Kavya literature provides a viable model for the modern Indian narrative.