Indian Fiction in English Course | Postcolonial Literature | IIT Madras
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 153 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences, English Studies |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unveiling the Narrative of a Nation: A Deep Dive into Indian Fiction in English
Indian Fiction in English represents one of the most vibrant and dynamic literary traditions in the world. It is a genre born from the complex interplay of colonialism, nationalism, and the search for a modern identity. This 12-week postgraduate course, instructed by Prof. Merin Simi Raj of IIT Madras, offers a rigorous and comprehensive exploration of this fascinating literary landscape. Designed for students and enthusiasts alike, the course moves beyond a simple chronological survey to engage with the profound political, social, and aesthetic questions embedded in the texts.
Course Overview and Instructor Profile
This advanced course is structured over 12 weeks and is tailored for a postgraduate-level audience. It falls under the categories of Humanities and Social Sciences and English Studies.
The course is led by Dr. Merin Simi Raj, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras. Prof. Raj specializes in Postcolonial Writing, Modernity Studies, and Historiography Studies. Her expert guidance ensures that the course is grounded in contemporary critical theory and scholarly debate.
What You Will Explore: Course Objectives and Themes
The course aims to provide a holistic understanding of Indian Fiction in English, from its 19th-century origins to its contemporary global presence. Key objectives include:
- Tracing the literary history and evolution of the genre through major anthologies and critical works.
- Examining the historical, political, and economic contexts that shaped its development.
- Analyzing central debates surrounding language, legitimacy, and nationalism.
- Critically engaging with themes of nation, secularism, caste, gender, region, and identity.
- Reading selected novels through frameworks like postcolonialism, feminism, and caste studies.
- Discussing contemporary trends in writing, publishing, and the global literary market.
A Week-by-Week Literary Expedition
The course layout is meticulously designed to build a layered understanding of the subject.
| Week | Focus Area & Key Topics | Sample Texts & Critics Discussed |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, literary history, questions of language and nationalism. | Srinivasa Iyengar, M.K. Naik, Arvind Krishna Mehrotra. |
| Week 2 | Early 19th-century novels and the genealogy of the Indian novel. | Indulekha, Rajmohan’s Wife, Meenakshi Mukherjee. |
| Week 3 | The ‘Gandhi Novel’ and the nationalist era. | Kanthapura, Waiting for the Mahatma. |
| Week 4 | Post-independence writing of the 1950s-60s. | Heat and Dust, The Strange Case of Billy Biswas. |
| Week 5 | Women’s writing, gender, and feminist concerns. | Cry, the Peacock, Nayantara Sehgal. |
| Week 6-7 | The Post-1980s & Rushdie era: Writing the postcolonial nation. | Midnight’s Children, The Shadow Lines, Ice Candy Man. |
| Week 8 | Region vs. Nation: Writings from Bombay, the North East, and beyond. | Temsula Ao, Gita Hariharan (“The Remains of the Feast”). |
| Week 9 | Caste as a central narrative in Indian fiction. | Untouchable, The God of Small Things, A Fine Balance. |
| Week 10 | The global market, Booker Prize, and literary canonization. | Arvind Adiga, Kiran Desai, the ‘Stefanian’ writers. |
| Week 11-12 | Contemporary trends and ‘Other’ writings in the genre. | Analysis of recent literary movements and voices. |
Pedagogy and Learning Outcomes
The course emphasizes peer learning, critical enquiry, and academic research. The pedagogy includes:
- Expert lectures by Prof. Merin Simi Raj.
- Interactive group discussions and debates.
- Student presentations to foster analytical skills.
Participants will develop a nuanced critical vocabulary, gain familiarity with major texts and theorists, and enhance their ability to conduct independent literary analysis. This course is ideal for students of literature, researchers, and any dedicated reader seeking a structured, academic journey through the powerhouse that is Indian Fiction in English.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is intended for postgraduate students of English Literature, Comparative Literature, and Cultural Studies. It is also perfectly suited for a general audience with a deep interest in fiction, Indian writing, and literary criticism, who are prepared for a rigorous, university-level engagement with the material.
Embark on this 12-week journey to unravel the stories that have defined and challenged the idea of India, and discover how Indian Fiction in English continues to be a vital site for imagining the nation's past, present, and future.
Enroll Now →