"Anand had pioneered the writing of Indian literature."
Within the lighthouses of esteemed Indian writers, Mulk Raj Anand shines as one of the most effervescent bulbs.
He was one of the first Indian writers to pen work in English, establishing an untapped territory for himself.
His work is famous for exploring the lives of the poorer classes within society.
Along with authors including RK Narayan, Ahmad Ali, and Raja Rao, Mulk Sahab pioneered Indo-Anglian fiction.
Paying tribute to this iconic writer, DESIblitz invites you on a journey through the life and history of Mulk Raj Anand.
Early Life
Mulk Raj Anand was born on December 12, 1905, in Peshawar.
He graduated with an Honour’s Degree in 1924 from Khalsa College, Amritsar. Following his graduation, he moved to England.
For initial financial support, Mulk Sahab worked in a restaurant.
Mulk Sahab also studied at University College London before progressing to Cambridge University.
In 1929, he obtained a Ph.D in Philosophy. It was during these years that he established networks with the Bloomsbury Group.
Mulk Sahab expanded his horizons in Geneva, Switzerland, where he lectured at the League of Nations International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
In 1938, Mulk Raj Anand married the English actress Kathleen Van Gelder. They had a daughter named Susheela and divorced in 1948.
Untouchable (1935)
Mulk Raj Anand suffered a devastating blow within his family.
However, he made something good out of something bad, as this incident became the catalyst for sharing his talent with the world.
Mulk Sahab took inspiration from his personal experiences for his first prose essay.
The piece was inspired by his aunt, who sadly took her life after her family disowned her for having a meal with a Muslim woman.
More communal and caste issues strained his family.
Mulk Sahab published his debut novel in 1935. It was titled Untouchable.
As the title suggests, the book explores the neglected caste of Indian society.
In Untouchable, readers follow a single day in the life of a toilet cleaner named Bakha.
Bakha’s life changes when he stumbles upon a member of a higher caste, and Mulk Sahab progressively suggests technology as Bakha’s saving grace.
Untouchable is regarded as one of the greatest Indian novels of all time. It earned Mulk Raj Anand the title of “India’s Charles Dickens”.
In a 2021 review of the novel, Raj Nandani praises Untouchable. He writes:
“This book was an enthralling experience through pre-independence India for me.
“I would highly recommend you to read this book if you want to know more about the history of our own country and society.”
Leaving a Legacy
After the success of Untouchable, Mulk Sahab advocated heavily for Indian independence.
He also travelled to Spain to volunteer in the Spanish Civil War.
However, Mulk Sahab’s role was in a journalistic capacity as opposed to militarily.
During World War Two, he wrote scripts for the BBC and befriended George Orwell.
In 1942, Mulk Sahab published The Sword and the Sickle.
The book is the final instalment of a trilogy that also comprised The Village (1939) and Across the Black Waters (1939).
This trilogy explores Lalu’s life. It explores India’s quest for independence and depicts Lalu’s rise from the bottom of Indian society.
Delving into the character of Lalu, Basavaraj Naikar says:
“In Lalu’s tragedy lies the tragedy of the Indian village, and Anand dramatises a poignant truth.
“[It is] to dispossess any one of land is to deny him an identity.”
Mulk Raj Anand also founded a literary magazine titled Marg and lectured at several universities.
He also spread the teachings of Mohandas K Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Rabindranath Tagore, highlighting their brands of humanism.
Among his prominent written work are also Coolie (1936) and The Private Life of an Indian Prince (1953).
Coolie was particularly instrumental in placing Mulk Sahab in the league of talented novelists.
The book chronicles the tale of the 14-year-old boy, Munoo and his battle with poverty and exploitation.
In 2004, the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched a commemorative edition of Coolie.
In 1950, Mulk Sahab attempted to write an autobiographical novel which was to span seven parts.
It was titled Seven Ages of Man, but the writer could only complete four instalments.
These were Seven Summers (1951), Morning Face (1968), Confession of a Lover (1976), and The Bubble (1984).
Later Years
Mulk Raj Anand remained a committed socialist all his life. Many of his novels spoke against the British Raj.
Mulk Sahab also co-founded the Progressive Writers’ Association, which advocated for human rights and equality.
The organisation raised its voice against social injustice and was highly acclaimed in its time.
Dawn Newspaper highlighted its trendsetting and said:
“The progressives contributed to Urdu literature some of the finest pieces of fiction and poetry.
“Undoubtedly, they were the trend-setters for the coming generation of writers.”
In 1967, Mulk Sahab was awarded the Padma Bhushan – India’s third-highest civilian honour.
Four years later, in 1971, he was given the Sahitya Akademi Award – an Indian literary accolade.
Mulk Sahab also authored several letters, children’s literature, and short stories.
In 1950, Mulk Sahab married a Parsi classical dancer named Shirin Vajifdar.
On September 28, 2004, at the age of 98, Mulk Raj Anand passed away from pneumonia in Pune, leaving behind a gem for the world.
In 2005, Talat Ahmed noted Mulk Sahab’s originality. He said:
“Today, Salman Rushdie is credited with popularising Indian writing in English.”
“But 50 years earlier, Anand had pioneered the writing of Indian literature, which was accessible to the English-speaking world.
“In addition, his writings demonstrate a keen desire for political change and social transformation that remained with him throughout his life.
“The best tribute that readers could pay Mulk Raj Anand would be to read his novels and be inspired by the dedication and commitment he had.”
Mulk Raj Anand is a historic stalwart of literature.
He was unafraid to raise awareness of taboo topics and issues that plagued his society.
Through his vast and varied material, Mulk Sahab strikes a chord that more modern readers can also feel.
He is a writer of immense magnitude, depth, and uniqueness.
If you’re looking for material that melds socialism with memorable storytelling, Mulk Raj Anand is an essential voice that you should explore.
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