Mulk Raj Anand

Mulk Raj Anand (1905–2004) was one of the pioneering figures of modern Indian English literature and among the first Indian novelists to achieve international recognition. Alongside R.K. Narayan and Raja Rao, he formed the foundational trio of Indian writing in English.
Renowned for his deep humanism, social realism, and empathy for the underprivileged, Anand’s works vividly portrayed the struggles of India’s poor and marginalised classes during the colonial period. His novels and short stories combine political awareness with literary sensitivity, establishing him as a voice of conscience in 20th-century Indian literature.

Early Life and Education

Mulk Raj Anand was born on 12 December 1905 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), into a Punjabi Hindu family. His father served in the British Indian Army, and his early life was spent in Cantonment towns, which exposed him to the harsh realities of the colonial social hierarchy.

• Anand was educated at Khalsa College, Amritsar, where he developed an early interest in literature and philosophy.
• He later went to England for higher studies and earned a Ph.D. from the University of London.
• During his time in England, Anand became associated with leftist intellectuals and writers, including members of the Bloomsbury Group.
• His interactions with figures such as E.M. Forster and George Orwell influenced his literary vision and reinforced his commitment to social justice.

Literary Career and Influences

Mulk Raj Anand’s literary career began in the 1930s, a period of intense political ferment in India under British rule. His fiction reflected the realities of the Indian masses—the poor, the oppressed, and those trapped by caste and class barriers.
He combined the realist techniques of European literature with the moral and emotional concerns of Indian life. Anand’s language, simple and colloquial, drew from the speech rhythms of Indian vernaculars, giving his prose a distinctive authenticity.

Major Works

1. Untouchable (1935)

• Anand’s first and most celebrated novel, with a foreword by E.M. Forster.
• The novel narrates a single day in the life of Bakha, a young latrine cleaner belonging to the “untouchable” caste, depicting the humiliation and discrimination he faces in society.
• It is a powerful critique of the caste system and an early example of social protest literature in Indian writing.
• The novel ends with a symbolic discussion of solutions to untouchability, including Gandhian reform, modern education, and technological progress.

2. Coolie (1936)

• Chronicles the tragic life of Munoo, a poor orphan boy who works as a servant, factory worker, and rickshaw puller.
• Exposes the exploitation of the working class and the dehumanising impact of colonial industrial capitalism.
• The novel reflects Marxist influences and Anand’s concern with social and economic inequality.

3. Two Leaves and a Bud (1937)

• Set in a British tea plantation in Assam, the novel portrays the exploitation of Indian labourers by British planters.
• The protagonist, Gangu, becomes a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression.
• The novel reflects Anand’s anti-imperialist stance and his sympathy for peasant struggles.

4. The Village Trilogy:

Anand explored the transformation of rural India in a trilogy of novels—

1. The Village (1939)
2. Across the Black Waters (1940)
3. The Sword and the Sickle (1942)

• These novels follow the life of Lal Singh, a peasant who experiences the effects of colonialism, war, and social change.
• They provide a sweeping picture of India’s transition from traditional agrarian life to political awakening and modern consciousness.

5. The Big Heart (1945)

• Depicts the life of Ananta, a coppersmith in Amritsar, and explores the tension between traditional artisanship and industrialisation.
• Highlights the dignity of labour and the human values embedded in craftsmanship.

6. Other Works:

• Seven Summers (1951) – An autobiographical novel about his childhood and early experiences.
• Morning Face (1968) – Semi-autobiographical, won the Sahitya Akademi Award (1971).
• Private Life of an Indian Prince (1953) – A critique of princely decadence and the loss of moral values in post-independence India.

Themes in Anand’s Works

1. Social Realism: Anand portrayed the grim realities of poverty, caste discrimination, and labour exploitation with unflinching honesty.
2. Humanism: His deep compassion for the downtrodden and belief in the essential dignity of man pervade all his writings.
3. Caste and Class Inequality: Anand’s novels attack the rigid caste system and highlight the moral hypocrisy of society.
4. Colonial Exploitation: Many of his works are critical of the British colonial regime and its exploitative economic structure.
5. Industrialisation vs. Tradition: He often explored the conflict between traditional crafts and modern mechanisation.
6. Reform and Progress: Anand believed in rational humanism and social reform, influenced by Gandhi’s ideals as well as Marxist thought.

Style and Technique

• Language: Anand used a form of Indianised English influenced by native idioms and proverbs, giving his prose a distinctly Indian flavour.
• Narrative Technique: His writing combines realism with emotional intensity and moral urgency.
• Characterisation: His protagonists are ordinary men and women—coolies, sweepers, peasants—elevated to heroic dignity through their struggles.
• Symbolism: Anand used symbols to represent broader social realities—such as Bakha symbolising the oppression of untouchables.

Other Contributions

1. Journalism and Essays: Anand wrote extensively on art, culture, and politics, contributing to journals and newspapers.
2. Founding of Institutions:
   • Established Marg, a pioneering art and architecture journal in 1946.
   • Played a significant role in the establishment of the Progressive Writers’ Association (PWA) in 1936, which aimed to use literature for social change.
3. Promotion of Indian Art: Anand was deeply interested in visual arts and was an advocate for the preservation and promotion of Indian artistic heritage.

Awards and Recognition

• Padma Bhushan (1967) – for his contribution to literature and education.
• Sahitya Akademi Award (1971) – for his novel Morning Face.
• International Peace Prize – in recognition of his writings promoting harmony and social justice.
• Honoured by numerous universities for his literary and cultural contributions.

Legacy and Influence

Mulk Raj Anand’s legacy lies in his pioneering role as a socially conscious writer who gave voice to India’s voiceless millions.

• He transformed Indian English fiction from elite preoccupations to the real struggles of common people.
• His works inspired later generations of writers such as Anita Desai, Arundhati Roy, and Rohinton Mistry, who continued to explore social inequality and moral questions.
• His novels remain classics of Indian literature, studied globally for their humanistic depth and socio-political insight.

Death

Mulk Raj Anand passed away on 28 September 2004 at the age of 98 in Pune, India. His long and prolific career spanned almost seven decades, leaving behind a legacy of literature rooted in compassion, realism, and reform.