Cross-Cultural Dialogues: The Impact Of British Colonialism On Post-Independence Indian English Writing

Abstract

This paper examines the profound impact of British colonialism on post-independence Indian writing in English. Indian authors, by means of their literary works, being not simply responsive to the literary traditions of the British in India but also the rebels, have utilized English as an instrument for claiming their own cultural identity. By focusing on the works of R.K. Narayan, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, and Vikram Seth, this study highlights the continuing dialogue between the colonial past and the postcolonial present, exploring the themes of cultural hybridity, language, power dynamics, and resistance. This paper underscores the complexities of using English as a medium of expression in postcolonial India, revealing how the legacy of British colonialism is intricately woven into the fabric of contemporary Indian literature.