Literary Narratives and the Construction of National Identity in Indian Writing in English

Abstract

Indian literature in English, especially its literary tales, has been essential in forming and expressing national identity. The rich and varied cultural, historical, and social environment of India is reflected in this corpus of writing. Indian authors have used English to both interact with and question dominant narratives, from the colonial era, when it was imposed as a weapon of control, to the post-independence period, when it became a method of expressing new national ambitions. This essay examines the ways in which Indian writers, from the colonial era to the present, have constructed, criticised, and redefined national identity via the use of the English language. It aims to reveal how these tales negotiate themes of cultural hybridity, historical memory, gender, diaspora, and postcolonial criticism by looking at important works and their thematic concerns. According to the research, Indian literature in English is a varied and dynamic area that constantly plays with the borders of nationhood and identity rather than being a monolithic art form.