Realism and social consciousness in the selected works of Vikram Seth and Namita Gokhale

Abstract

Voices and life of the civilians, have always inspired authors to raise their concerns and circumstances, through their writings. Whether residing in India or in a foreign country, many Indian writers have shed light on absolute realities of India like its stereotypical conditions, influence of modern perspectives on civilians, change in socio-political conditions etc. These writers have used satirical tone to expose the discrepancy in the socio-political environment and its effect on social consciousness, however, they do it in a rhetoric of maintaining a diplomatic and realistic disposition. For example, Vikram Seth employs realistic utterances. His works are subtly mocking and satirical in nature, expose the jarring and unpleasant nature of the society, and Namita Gokhale too has contributed in showing how society transforms and changes. Most of her works deal with the sufferings of women and their aspirations at the expense of their subjugation. Being social realist, their works discuss on the hidden desires of humans like depression, lack of self-control, solitude, despair, and their confused state in accepting or denying the tradition. Their works imbibe paradox, satire, irony, wit, humor, and metaphors to discuss and expose the social realties lying in India. The character in their narratives are the best examples of the modern civilians living in India in the post partition and post liberation phase, when their consciousness is most affected due to societal transformations and developmentalism. The major works of Namita Gokhale and Vikram Seth that are taken into consideration to analyze the above stated situation are A Suitable Boy (1993), The Golden Gate (1996), An Equal Music (1999), Paro: Dreams of Passion (1984), Gods, Graves, and Grandmother (1994), A Himalayan Love Story (1996), and Priya in Incredible Indyaa (2011). Keywords: Realism, Social Consciousness. Satire, Irony, Developmentalism, Identity Crisis, Feminism, Transformation newline