Mulk Raj Anand is an Indian novelist, a short-story writer, and a critic and and writer in English. In his works, he always reflects a sense of realism and a sympathetic portrait of the poor in India.
Mulk Raj Anand was born in 12 December 1905 in Peshawar, the central city of Northwest Frontier Province, now in Pakistan. He passed away on September 28, 2004, in Pune, India, at the age of 98. His death marked the end of a prolific literary career that spanned several decades, during which he made significant contributions to Indian and world literature.
Anand’s was born into a Hindu Kshatriya (warrior caste) family of coppersmiths. His family was part of the artisan class, which significantly influenced his awareness of social hierarchies and caste discrimination from a young age.
His father, Lal Chand, worked as a coppersmith and later served in the British Indian Army as a soldier in the barracks. This placed Mulk Raj Anand’s family in lower-middle-class social standing, and they lived in modest circumstances. His mother, Ishwar Kaur, was a deeply religious woman, whose faith had a strong influence on Anand’s early life. However, his experiences with the caste system, especially witnessing the plight of the untouchables (Dalits) and the lower strata of society, profoundly shaped his worldview and later became central themes in his literary works. Despite their humble background, Anand pursued education vigorously. His family’s financial struggles and the societal discrimination they experienced fueled his desire to speak out against social injustices, particularly in his writing, where he often explored issues related to caste, class, and colonialism.
Anand studied in India before pursuing higher education in England at University College London and Cambridge University, where he was influenced by socialist and humanist ideas. He later earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of London. Anand was deeply involved in India’s independence movement and supported anti-colonial and social justice causes throughout his life.
He was influenced by prominent thinkers such as Bertrand Russell, E.M. Forster, and George Orwell. His exposure to Western philosophy, socialist ideas, and European modernist literature had a profound impact on his writing. He was also influenced by Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, whose emphasis on the rights of the oppressed resonated deeply with Anand.
Themes and Style
Anand’s works are characterized by their humanism, empathy, and commitment to social justice. His writing often focuses on the struggles of the underprivileged and the marginalized in Indian society, whether due to caste, class, or colonial oppression. He combines realism with deep emotional sensitivity, often drawing on his personal experiences and observations.
Stylistically, Anand’s prose is straightforward and accessible, often blending Indian idiomatic expressions with English, making his work accessible to both Indian and international readers. His novels often contain vivid descriptions of Indian life and customs, capturing the complexities of Indian society.
His writings are rich with the realistic and touching portrayal of the problems of the common man, often written with heart wrenching clarity. Mulk Raj Anand was much too familiar with the problems of the poorer sections himself.
His literary career began with his novel Untouchable in 1935, which addressed the plight of India’s lowest caste, the Dalits. The book was groundbreaking for its raw depiction of the social injustices faced by marginalized communities. Anand’s writing was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology of non-violence and his call for the upliftment of the oppressed. Mulk Raj Anand’s other major works include “Coolie” (1936), which explored the exploitation of Indian laborers, and “The Village “(1939), a portrayal of rural Indian life. His works are known for their strong social commentary, and Anand often used his fiction to advocate for human dignity, equality, and social reform. In addition to his fiction, Anand was a prolific essayist and art critic. He wrote extensively on literature, art, and culture, and was deeply involved in intellectual and cultural movements in India. He founded and edited Marg, a cultural and art journal that played a key role in shaping Indian art criticism. He also wrote autobiographical works, including “Seven Summers” (1951), which narrated his childhood experiences.
Mulk Raj Anand received several prestigious awards during his lifetime for his literary achievements and social activism.
Padma Bhushan in 1967 , Anand was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in recognition of his significant contributions to literature and education.
Anand was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1971, He received the Sahitya Akademi Award, India’s National Academy of letters’ highest literary honor, for his novel Morning Face (1968), which is part of his autobiographical series.
International Peace Prize in 1953
Anand was honored with the International Peace Prize for his efforts in promoting peace and humanism through his writings and social engagements.
These awards highlight the profound impact Anand had on both Indian and world literature, as well as his commitment to social justice and equality.