Dollar Bahu novel by Sudha Murthy notes pdf

Dollar Bahu novel highlights clash between the western and Indian ethics. It shows that human relationship is more important than money.

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Indian Writing In English Sem VI Notes
Dollar Bahu :- Sudha Murthy
Dollar Bahu is the story of the Gauramma, her rich bahu Jamuna and her other simpleton bahu
Vinuta.
1.Gauramma is a greedy little mother of three children – Chandru, Girish and Surabhi, living in a
small house in Bangalore with her husband Shamanna.
2.Chandru the eldest of her son is settled in America and is married to Jamuna, only daughter of
rich parents.
3.Girish the second, is a bank clerk and married to Vinuta, a sweet young woman who works
hard day and night and never fails to carry out her household duties and her duties to her mother-
in-law.
But between Jamuna‟s Dollars and Vinuta‟s selfless devotion, Gauramma always finds her
favour with the Dollar and ignore what is truly priceless – Vinuta‟s devotion and selfless love.
The story progresses just like a typical Indian soap opera and Vinuta continues to bear all the
brunt of the endless comparisons between her and Jamuna.
She starts wilting and losing her health and mind. Soon
Gauramma gets a chance to visit her son Chandru and Jamuna in the American house and stays
with them for a long time.
But before it‟s too late and before Vinuta is lost forever, she soon realizes that all that glitters is
not gold and that Dollars, in the end, can‟t buy everything.
The book ends on a “truth always wins” note and is likeable to a fable or a moral story which as
a child we all may have read as schoolchildren.
The characters are what drives this book apart and add spice and colour to the otherwise
simpleton plot. The typical Kannada household and theme helps the reader reminisce about the
good old Malgudi Days.
Shamanna, a teacher, and Gouramma, a home maker, are a middle class and middle aged
couple. They are blessed with two sons, Chandru, an engineer with a private firm, and Girish, a
clerk in a bank, and a daughter, Surabhi. Shamanna believes in values, but Gouramma is after
riches.
Chandru goes to Dharwad on a project and meets Vinuta (Vinu for short) in whose house he
stays as a paying guest. She is an orphan, looked after by a well-meaning distant relative, a

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student, a singer, and versatile in domestic chores. For Chandru, it is love at first sight, but his
main sight is on bigger things, like making it big in the U.S.A. He doesn‟t tell her of his feelings
for her, even when he‟s recalled to Bangalore only to be sent on a project to the U.S.A.

Chandru lives his „Dollar Dreams‟, and enjoys the material comforts that the U.S. offers, but
realises the need to have a family after a while. So he writes to Vinu to ask whether she‟s
interested in him.
Fate has something else in store- in the interregnum, the relative of Vinu‟s in whose care she
lived in Dharwad, passes away, forcing her to shift to Banglore. It is an emotional moment for
her to leave the home in which she grew up, but it is heartening that she‟s not disposing it off.
In Bangalore, Vinu works in the same school as Shamanna, and bumps into Girish one day. He
develops a liking for the girl and expresses it to his father who is also in favour of the
alliance. Meanwhile, Chandru‟s „love letter‟ returns to him undelivered (there‟s no one residing
in that home, right?) and with its return ends Chandru‟s love for Vinu.
Chandru‟s visit to the U.S. enable them to have a first floor in their modest home. But that does
not deter Gouramma from hoping for a „status‟ compliance from the bride.
Since Chandru does not plan to return till he gets a green card, he doesn‟t mind his younger
brother getting married earlier.
Though Gouramma insists that bride‟s side approach them first, Shamanna arranges it; Vinuta
has no great hopes either, so she‟s willing to marry a clerk. The moment Vinu and Girish see
each other, they are willing to marry each other but Gouramma throws in a spanner – of a grand
wedding – and even suggests the disposing of the house at Dharwad. Shamanna comes in the
way, and lets the boy and the girl decide.
Girish, who has taken on the complexion and attitude of his father(read: not so good looking but
extremely good- natured), agrees to a simple marriage but warns Vinu that her mother, though
affectionate, can act tough at times.
The wedding photos make Chandru uneasy and jealous, but, in due course, he digests the fact.
Gouramma likes her daughter-in-law, until her elder son returns, that is. The concern of
Gouramma and Surabhi over the gifts that Chandru brings on his return is well-presented.
Suddenly, rich parents of eligible girls take notice of Gouramma. A shrewd property developer,
Krishnappa, impresses Gouramma with a lavish display of gold, silver and diamonds at their
farm house. This blurs Gouramma from the reality that Jamuna, Krishnappa‟s daughter, was
rejected by better looking and well settled grooms because of her plain looks (whether looks
alone matter is a totally different issue – it is not relevant to the plot right now). The girl sure

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this alliance is not lost by being extremely amiable with Surabhi. Gouramma is very much in
favour of this alliance. Chandru‟s rendezvous with Jamuna is more like a business negotiation.
Once the alliance is finalised, Vinu is relegated to the background, only meant to take care of the
household, while Gouramma and Surabhi are all over the place. Chandru remembers Vinu‟s
favourite colour and buys her an aquamarine saree with a pink border costing a huge sum,
despite his mother‟s antagonism to it.
The mother-in-law gives up two of her gold bangles to give an expensive present to her „Dollar
Bahu‟, Jamuna. This is the beginning of the differentiation that Vinu is set to undergo.
During the wedding, Girish and Vinu work hard, while Gouramma handles money. When
Chandru leaves for the U.S., the elder daughter-in-law makes an excuse and goes back to her
parents‟ place and turned up only to intimate the news of her departure to the Land of
Opportunity.
Vinuta subsequently becomes a forced listener to all the lavish praise of her mother-in-law for
Jamuna, which hurts her. Girish takes it lightly, so she gets hurt further.
The dual standards of Gouramma while being on the hunt for a boy for Surabhi(if the boy were
the only son, the in-laws would stay permanently with them, and therefor,e the boy was
undesirable) and those of Surabhi herself(she can pass time with some neighbourhood boy, but
she can marry only a rich boy) are well described. The efforts of Girish and Vinuta in preventing
Surabhi from getting married to an a boy having a live- in girlfriend are not appreciated by the
mother- daughter duo. On top of it, Gouramma and Surabhi took out their anger on Vinu – she is
blamed as the one creating a ruckus in the family.
The date of Surabhi‟s wedding is fixed to suit the timing of Jamuna‟s convenience. Alas, poor
Vinuta is packed off to Dharwad for her confinement, all because Chandru‟s contribution to the
wedding was higher.
Jamuna lavishes Surabhi with a lot of sarees at the latter's wedding, which Vinu is unable to. In
addition, Vinuta‟s services to her mother-in-law in a case of suspected cancer are quickly
forgotten because the lump is benign!
By the time Jamuna is expecting a child, Vinu is only expected to take instructions and no longer
recognised as a human.
The prayers of the mother-in-law for the safe delivery of Jamuna hurt Vinu further. Nothing was
done by Gouramma when she was in the family way!
Gouramma is very excited to be in the U.S. for Jamuna‟s delivery. She makes some friends of
the friends of Chandru and her conversations with them on their experiences open her mind to
progressive thinking. A baby girl is born, and pampered by her grandma,who slowly realises

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that the 'Dollar Bahu' is only a pretender and had no genuine concern for her. The fact that the
sarees presented to Surabhi for her wedding were used sarees comes as a shock to Gouramma;
the last straw on the camel‟s back comes when Gouramma overhears her „Dollar Bahu‟ tell her
friends that by bringing in the mother-in-law, she got a cheap baby sitter who took good care of
her daughter. She also makes a reference to the fact that the loving Vinu is looked down upon.
By the time Gouramma is back in India, she realises that Vinu, Girish and their son had gone to
Dharwad. Vinu‟s health had deteriorated because of the double standards, so the understanding
father-in-law had advised them to take a transfer.
The story of a betrothed groom who dumps his bride to get married to an American Indian, of the
Bangalore doctor who double-charges Chandru since he is from the U.S. and of others who
survived the difficulties in U.S. to become successful are interwoven with the main plot. „Dollar
Bahu‟ or not, it is very common to find mothers-in-law showing favouritism towards a richer
daughter-in-law or towards a daughter vis-à-vis a daughter-in-law.
Q. What are the major themes of the novel “Dollar Bahu”?
Ans. Sudha Murthy is a voluminous Indian woman writer. “Dollar Bahu” is one of her popular
novels. It is originally written in Kannada language. It was published in 2005. Sudha Murthy
herself has translated the novel into English. It is divided into 27 chapters. Every chapter can be
read as a separate story. “Dollar Bahu” is a story of a middle class Indian family. It deals with
the following themes:
1. The Dehumanizing Effect of Globalization on the Traditional Indian Psyche :
In the wake of Globalisation, the process of brain-drain became fast. The novelist Sudha
Murthy has been closely related to the professionals in IT industry through her company Infosys.
She minutely observed the changes in the bahaviour of the young male and female employees of
the IT sector. Her first-hand knowledge of the people in the industry is reflected in the novel
“Dollar Bahu”. The last decade of the twentieth century witnessed amazing boom in the IT sector
of the Indian industries. Thousands of boys and girls preferred to take engineering degree in IT
because it opened new opportunities within and outside India for them. It also provided them
with an opportunity to go abroad, particularly to America, and earn dollars in thousands. Growth
and development in IT and their positive economic implications enchanted Indians though the
other side of this boom was gloomily dark. It eroded the personal relations not only in Indian
society but also within the family. Sudha Murty has dealt with this phenomenon in Dollar Bahu.
Gauramma wants her sons become engineers and earn money in terms of dollars. Her elder son
fulfils her desire. But it makes a very bad impact on the behaviour of her daughter-in-law.
2. Greed for Money:

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Gauramma is one of the major characters in the novel. Gowramma has a tremendous greed
for money. Therefore, she desires costly clothes and jewellery . She feels envy of other women
who are rich. She is a wife of a common school teacher Shamanna. Shamanna has a meager
salary. Gouramma cannot fulfill her desire for costly clothes and jewellery . She wants her
children do high-profile jobs and thereby earn money so that she can satisfy her desire for
money, costly clothes and jewellery. Har elder son Chandru fulfills her desire. He becomes an
engineer and goes to America. He earns a salary in dollars. In this way, Gauramma is overjoyed.
Afterward, Chandru marriage to Jamuna. Jamuna knows about Gauramma's greed for money.
Jamuna's parents are also rich. She becomes a wife of an engineer earning a salary in Dollars in
America. Therefore, Jamuna is paid more respect than her younger sister-in-law Vinutha by
Gauramma and Surabhi. Jamuna deceives Gauramma and Surabhi by giving them used sarees
and jewellery. When Gauramma goes to America and is ill-treated by Jamuna, Gauramma
realises significance of Vinutha who is loving, caring and docile daughter-in-law. In this way,
greed for money and its bad consequences are highlighted by the novelist in the form of
Gauramma Jamuna and Vinutha.
3. The Crumbling Domestic Relations in India and Indians:
No doubt, growth in industrialisation and Globalisation have prosperity in the middle-class
families. But it led the families to money-mindedness. Due to it, the relationship among the
members of the families started spoiling to certain extent. It is appropriately highlighted by the
novelist Sudha Murthy in “Dollar Bahu”.
Jamuna is respected by Gauramma, whereas Vinutha is ill-treated by her. The simple reason
is that Jamuna‟s husband earns a salary in dollars and Vinutha‟s husband does not. Again,
Jamuna‟s parents are rich and Vinutha‟s parents are not. In fact, Vinutha is modest, simple and
docile and Jamuna is a little bit arrogant, deceptive and showy. But human values lose
significance and money gains importance. It indicates that money is more important than human
values like love, affection, sympathy and care.
4. East-West Confrontation :
East-West Confrontation is a common theme dealt with by most of the Indian novelsits.
Sudha Murthy has explored it in “Dollar Bahu”. When Gauramma goes to America for Jamuna‟s
delivery, she first finds America amazing. But as she spends some time there, she realises how
illusory is the Western world. She pays visit to many Indian families living in America and
comes to know about their sad stories. After listening to them all, Gauramma‟s desire to go back
to India arises. She realises the significance of her motherland and living in a joint family.
Thus, The Dehumanizing Effect of Globalization on the Traditional Indian Psyche, Greed for
money, The Crumbling Domestic Relations in India and Indians, and East-West Confrontation
are the major themes in the novel “Dollar Bahu”.

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Q1] Write a note on the title "Dollar Bahu".
Ans. The novel "Dollar Bahu" is originally written in Kannada by Sudha Murthy. Its title in
Kannada is "Dollar Sose". It is translated into English as "Dollar Bahu". It imparts Indianness to
the novel because the word - "Bahu" is an Indian word. The title "Dollar Bahu" is used to refer
to Jamuna. Jamuna is Chandru's wife. Chandru lives in America and earns a salary in dollars.
Jamuna also lives with him in America. She is the wife of a man making dollars. So she is called
"Dollar Babu".
A Dollar is used as a symbol in the novel. It symbolises power. As Jamuna's husband earns
dollars, she dominates her whole family. She is paid more respect than her sister-in-law Vinuta.
Vinuta is actually a kind-hearted and docile Daughter-in-law. She performs all household duties
with complete responsibility. Still, she is not given enough respect by Gauramma. But
Gauramma, insulted by Jamuna in America, realises the significance of Vinuta. But, in the end
dollar lose his power. The novel ends with the sentence - "The Invincible Dollar had Fallen."
Thus, the title "Dollar Bahu" is apt subtle, and symbolic. It is suggestive also. It refers to
Jamuna.
Q.2. Write a note on 'the end of the novel "Dollar Bahu".
Ans. The novel "Dollar Bahu" has a happy ending. Insulted and stunned Gauramma comes back
to India from America. She realises the significance of Vinuta. She makes inquiry about Vinuta
and Girish as soon as she lands in India. Shammana replies that Girish, Vinuta, and Harsha have
shifted to Dharval. It was Shamanna who had advised Girish to apply for a transfer to Dharval.
He does not want Gauramma to torture Vinuta anymore. Because he had a fear in his mind that
Vinuta will be tortured more than earlier after coming from America. Shammana tells his wife
"Gouri, love, and affection are more important than food and money". Vinuta is like a daughter
and I do not want her to suffer. I have done for Vinuta, what I would have done for
Surabhi. Gouramma assures Shammana that she has undergone a sea change. America has
opened her eyes. She realises the importance of love, affection, modesty, and kind heart. Vinuta
is an emblem of all these things.
Gaurmma expresses her desire to see Harsha. She starts shedding tears and therefore
Shammana gets ready to take her to Dharvad to see Harsha, Vinuta and Girish on the condition
that she would not utter any word about America, its wealth, and her dollar bahu. Gaurmma
promises him not to speak about all these things. When she opens her purse to get keys to open
her suitcase, a bill of hundred dollars falls out. It was given by Chandru to her at the airport but
now it did not hold any charm, any power and any magic. The novel ends with the narrator
saying "The Invincible dollar had fallen".

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MCQ-
Choose the correct alternatives from those given below .(Answers are in bold black font )
1. The novel "Dollar Bahu" is written by……..
a. A. K. Ramanujan
b. Kamala Markandaya
c. Sudha Murty
d. Narayan Murty

2. The novel "Dollar Bahu" was first published in.........
a. 2005
b. 2006
c. 2007
d. 2008


3. The novel "Dollar Bahu" is originally written in……..language
a. Marathi
b. Kannada
c. Hindi
d. English

4. The novel "Dollar Bahu" is set in……..
a. Karnataka only
b. America only
c. Both Karnataka and America

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d. Tamilnadu


5. The novel "Dollar Bahu" enphasises the value of mutual attachment and……..
a. money
b. life
c. love
d. domestic relations

6. The novel "Dollar Bahu" shows that……..
a. love and affection are more important than money
b. money is more important than love and affection
c. love is precious
d. we should enjoy every in situation


7. The novel "Dollar Bahu" is divided into……..parts
a. twenty-seven
b. twenty-eight
c. twenty-nine
d. thirty

8. Chandru and Vinuta in "Dollar Bahu" first meet in.........
a. Amritsar Express
b. Rani Kittur Chennamma Express
c. Rajdhani Express

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d. Nellur Express
9. The title "Dollar Bahu" refers to........
a. Gauramma
b. Vinuta
c. Jamuna
d. Surabhi
10. Gauramma in "Dollar Bahu" is a...........character.
a. bad
b. flat
c. round
d. good
11. Gauramma in "Dollar Bahu" has......sons.
a. two
b. three
c. four
d. five
12. .......is elder son of Gauramma in "Dollar Bahu".
a. Chandru
b. Girish
c. Bhimanna
d. Shamanna
13. .......is younger son of Gauramma in "Dollar Bahu".
a. Chandru
b. Girish
c. Bhimanna

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d. Shamanna

14. ..........is a major theme of the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. The dehumanising effect of globalisation on the traditional human psyche.
b. Love and death
c. Man and woman relationship
d. Friendship

15. The of the novel "Dollar Bahu" is........
a. complex
b. dynamic
c. simple
d. complicated

16. ..........is another major theme of the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. life in India
b. Life in America
c. The crumbling domestic relations in India and Indians
d. The relationship between India and America
17. The invincible........had fallen...
a. Rupee
b. Dollar
c. Cent
d. Ruble
18) Jamuna's parents in the novel "Dollar Bahu" are.........

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a. rich
b. poor
c. illiterate
d. merciful
19) The statement "Gouri, love and affection are more important than food and money" is made
by.........in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shamanna
b. Chandru
c. Girish
d. Shekhar
20) The statement "Gouri, love and affection are more important than food and money" is made
by.........in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shamanna
b. Chandru
c. Girish
d. Shekhar


21........is a husband of Vinuta in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shamanna
b. Chandru
c. Girish
d. Shekhar

22. ........is a symbol of power in the novel "Dollar Bahu" .
a. Dollar

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b. Rupee
c. Knowledge
d. Service in America

23........repented her visit to America after the bad treatment given by Jamuna to her in the
novel "Dollar Bahu" .
a. Vinuta
b. Gauramma
c. Shamanna
d. Surabhi

24. Shrikant and Roopa divorce because of..........bossing nature in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shrikant's
b. Shrikant's mother's
c. Roopa's
d. Their daughter's


25. Jamuna sent..........in decorated boxes for Surabhi's wedding in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. sweets
b. ornaments
c. new saris
d. used saris

26. Gauramma goes to America for......... in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Jamuna's delivery

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b. Surabhi's delivery
c. Vinuta's delivery
d. enjoyment

27. Jamuna refused to take........along with her in the hospital in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Gauramma
b. Chandru
c. Vinuta
d. Surabhi

28. The novel "Dollar Bahu" is regarded as a scathing attack on.........
a. Indian middleclass society
b. Indian madness for money
c. Indians in America
d. American dollar

29. Chandru in "Dollar Bahu" is a/an........
a. software engineer
b. doctor
c. civil engineer
d. clerk in a bank

30. Girish in "Dollar Bahu" is a/an.........
a. software engineer
b. teacher

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c. clerk in a bank
d. civil engineer

31........was a name of newly born of Jamuna in "Dollar Bahu".
a. Manasi
b. Manas
c. Manasvi
d. Manjiri

32. .......is one of the major themes of the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Greed for money and its consequences
b. East-West confrontation
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above

33. has greed for money in "Dollar Bahu".
a. Vinuta
b. Gauramma
c. Bhimanna
d. Shamanna

34. ..........is a teacher in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shamanna
b. Bhimanna
c. Gauramma
d. Chandru

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35..........accepts job as a teacher in Bangalore in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shekhar
b. Surabhi
c. Vinuta
d. Girish

36. Girish gets transferred to.........in the end of the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Chennai
b. Mumbai
c. Dharwad
d. Bangalore


37. The novel "Dollar Bahu" explores the psyche of NRIs settled in........to some extent.
a. France
b. America
c. England
d. Japan

38) Vinuta.........the letter sent by Chandru from America in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. gets
b. does not get
c. loses
d. tears

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39) Sudha Murty is a/an.......writer.
a. Indian
b. American
c. Japanese
d. French

40) .........is a considerate and loving towards Vinuta in the novel "Dollar Bahu".
a. Shamanna
b. Gauramma
c. Surabhi
d. Shekhar

Background Questions – Indian Writing in Eng. Sem VI
Q.Indian Women Novelists and Their Novels and Major Themes :-
Kamala Markandaya:
"Nectar in a Sieve" (1954): Themes of poverty, rural life, the impact of industrialization on
traditional communities, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Attia Hosain:
"Sunlight on Broken Column" (1961): Themes of women's rights, independence, and the
Partition of India.
Nayantara Sahgal:
"Rich Like Us" (1985): Themes of political corruption, social inequality, and the tumultuous
period of India's independence struggle.
Arundhati Roy:
"The God of Small Things" (1997): Themes of love, loss, social caste system, and political
turmoil in post-colonial India.

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Anita Desai:
"Cry, the Peacock" (1963): Exploration of Feminine Psyche
"Fasting, Feasting" (1999): Themes of gender roles, cultural expectations, and the clash between
Indian and Western values.
Kiran Desai:
"The Inheritance of Loss" (2006): Themes of identity, displacement, post-colonialism, and the
impact of globalization.
Jhumpa Lahiri:
"The Interpreter of Maladies" (1999): Themes of cultural displacement, immigrant experiences,
and the complexities of relationships.
"The Namesake" (2003): Themes of identity, assimilation, and the generational divide between
immigrant parents and their American-born children.
Arundhati Subramaniam:
"When God is a Traveller" (2014): Themes of spirituality, mythology, and the search for
meaning in a contemporary world.
Manju Kapur:
"Difficult Daughters" (1998): Themes of women's struggles for independence, societal
expectations, and the impact of political unrest on personal lives.
"Custody" (2011): Themes of divorce, custody battles, and the complexities of modern
relationships.
Shobha De:
"Socialite Evenings" (1989): Themes of the urban elite, social critique, and the lives of
privileged women in Indian society.
Shashi Deshpande:
"The Binding Vine" (1993): Themes of gender inequality, domestic violence, and women's
empowerment.
"That Long Silence" (1989): Themes of identity, marriage, and the quest for self-expression.
Anuja Chauhan:

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"The Zoya Factor" (2008): Themes of sports, superstition, and the intersection of love and
cricket.
Anuradha Roy:
"An Atlas of the Lost World" (2001): Themes of identity, history, and the impact of political and
social changes in India.
These are just a few examples of the many talented Indian women English novelists and their
notable works. Each author brings her unique perspective and explores various themes that
reflect the diverse experiences of women in Indian society.
Q. Write an essay on contribution of women novelists to the growth of Indian English
Fiction
Ans. Indian English fiction has witnessed significant growth and development over the years,
thanks in part to the contributions of several talented and groundbreaking women novelists.
These women have used their writing to explore a wide range of themes, including gender,
sexuality, tradition, modernity, politics, and identity, and have made a significant impact on the
Indian literary scene. In this essay, we will discuss the contributions of women novelists to the
growth of Indian English fiction.
One of the earliest and most significant contributions of women novelists to Indian English
fiction was in the area of gender and feminism. Writers like Kamala Markandaya, Anita Desai,
and Shashi Deshpande were some of the first women to write novels in English that explored the
lives of women in Indian society. They used their writing to examine the constraints and
limitations faced by women in a patriarchal society, and to question traditional notions of
femininity and womanhood. These writers paved the way for a new generation of women
novelists who were more explicit and radical in their feminist perspectives, including writers like
Arundhati Roy, Bapsi Sidhwa, and Mahasweta Devi.
Another significant contribution of women novelists to Indian English fiction has been in the
area of identity and multiculturalism. Writers like Jhumpa Lahiri, Kiran Desai, and Chitra
Banerjee Divakaruni have used their writing to explore the complex and often fraught
experiences of immigrants and minorities in India and abroad. They have written about the
challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities, the tensions between tradition and
modernity, and the experiences of discrimination and marginalization. Their works have helped
to broaden and diversify the literary landscape of Indian English fiction, and to bring new
perspectives and voices to the forefront.
Women novelists have also made significant contributions to the development of Indian English
fiction in the area of experimental and innovative writing. Writers like Arundhati Roy, Anuradha
Roy, and Manju Kapur have used their writing to push the boundaries of traditional narrative

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structures and to experiment with new forms and styles of storytelling. They have challenged
readers to think differently about the nature of the novel and the possibilities of the written word,
and have inspired a new generation of writers to explore their own creative boundaries.
In conclusion, women novelists have played a critical role in the growth and development of
Indian English fiction. Through their writing, they have challenged and expanded traditional
notions of femininity and womanhood, explored the complexities of multiculturalism and
identity, and pushed the boundaries of traditional narrative structures. Their contributions have
enriched and diversified the literary landscape of Indian English fiction, and have helped to make
it a dynamic and vibrant force in the global literary scene.
Q. Write an essay on the development of Indian English Poetry after Independence.
Ans. Indian English poetry has undergone significant development since the country gained
independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The early years after independence saw the
emergence of a new generation of poets who sought to establish a distinctively Indian voice in
English-language poetry. Over the decades, Indian English poetry has continued to evolve,
reflecting changes in Indian society and culture, as well as global trends in literature.
One of the defining characteristics of Indian English poetry after independence has been a focus
on themes related to the Indian experience. Poets like Nissim Ezekiel, A.K. Ramanujan, and
Dom Moraes used their poetry to explore issues such as identity, cultural heritage, social
inequality, and political oppression. They drew on Indian mythology, history, and folklore, as
well as contemporary events, to create a body of work that was uniquely Indian in content and
style.
Another significant development in Indian English poetry after independence has been the
emergence of feminist and Dalit poetry. Women poets like Kamala Das, Gauri Deshpande, and
Arundhathi Subramaniam have used their poetry to express the experiences of women in a
patriarchal society, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for women's
empowerment. Dalit poets, including Keki N. Daruwalla, Meena Kandasamy, and R. Cheran,
have used their poetry to critique the caste system and to give voice to the experiences of
marginalized communities.
In recent years, Indian English poetry has become more diverse and experimental in form and
style. Poets like Jeet Thayil, Ranjit Hoskote, and Sridala Swami have pushed the boundaries of
traditional poetic forms, experimenting with language, structure, and subject matter. They have
drawn on a wide range of influences, from Western modernism to Indian classical poetry, and
have helped to broaden the horizons of Indian English poetry.
Indian English poetry has also become more global in its outlook, with many poets engaging
with issues and themes that transcend national borders. Poets like Vijay Seshadri and Arvind
Krishna Mehrotra have used their poetry to explore the complexities of the immigrant

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experience, while others, like Tishani Doshi and Anand Thakore, have written about global
environmental concerns and the impact of technology on human relationships.
In conclusion, Indian English poetry has undergone significant development since independence,
reflecting changes in Indian society and culture, as well as global trends in literature. Indian
poets have explored a wide range of themes and issues, drawing on diverse influences and
experimenting with form and style. Today, Indian English poetry is a dynamic and vibrant field,
reflecting the diversity and complexity of contemporary India and its place in the world.
Q. Write an essay on development of Post-independence Indian English novel.
Ans. The Indian English novel emerged in the post-independence era, marked by a wave of
literary creativity that reflected the social, political, and cultural upheavals of the time. This
period saw a surge in the number of Indian writers who chose to write in English, despite the
language being a legacy of the colonial era. The Indian English novel reflected the unique Indian
sensibility, and it was characterized by themes of identity, nationalism, and social justice. In this
essay, we will explore the history of post-independence Indian English novel.
The Indian English novel had its beginnings in the early 20th century, with writers like R.K.
Narayan, Raja Rao and Mulk Raj Anand, who wrote in English but drew inspiration from the
Indian social and cultural milieu. Narayan's novels, set in the fictional town of Malgudi, captured
the essence of Indian middle-class life with their simple language and vivid imagery. Anand, on
the other hand, wrote about the lives of the downtrodden and exploited, focusing on issues like
caste, poverty, and inequality.
The post-independence era saw the emergence of a new generation of Indian writers who sought
to break away from the colonial legacy of the English language and create a distinct Indian
literary identity. One of the most prominent figures of this era was Raja Rao, whose novel
'Kanthapura' (1938) marked a new direction in Indian English literature. The novel was set in a
small village in southern India and used a unique blend of English and Indian idioms to create a
new kind of linguistic identity. It was also a political novel that dealt with the nationalist
movement and the struggle for independence.
Another significant figure in the post-independence Indian English novel was Mulk Raj Anand.
His novel 'Untouchable' (1935) was a scathing critique of the caste system and the discrimination
faced by the untouchables. Anand's later works like 'Coolie' (1936) and 'Two Leaves and a Bud'
(1937) focused on the plight of the working classes and the exploitation of labour.
The 1950s and 60s saw the emergence of a new generation of Indian writers who were
influenced by modernism and the European literary tradition. Writers like R.K. Narayan, Nirad
C. Chaudhuri, and Bhabani Bhattacharya, Arun Joshi, Kamala Markandaya, Nayantara Sahagal
and others experimented with form and style, producing works that were more complex and

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sophisticated than the earlier novels. R. K. Narayan's 'The Guide' (1958) was a modernist
masterpiece that dealt with the themes of personal transformation and self-realization.
The 1970s saw the emergence of a new trend in Indian English literature, characterized by a
strong feminist voice. Writers like Kamala Das, Shashi Deshpande, and Arundhati Roy
challenged the patriarchal norms of Indian society and wrote about the experiences of women.
Kamala Das's autobiography 'My Story' (1976) and Deshpande's novel 'That Long Silence'
(1988) were landmark works that explored the complexities of the female psyche.
The 1980s and 90s saw the emergence of a new generation of Indian writers who were
influenced by postmodernism and the global literary tradition. Writers like Salman Rushdie,
Amitav Ghosh, and Vikram Seth produced works that were marked by their stylistic
experimentation and their engagement with issues of identity and belonging. Rushdie's
'Midnight's Children' (1981) was a postmodern masterpiece that used magical realism to explore
the themes of nationalism and identity.
In conclusion, the post-independence era in India witnessed the emergence of a rich and diverse
literary tradition that reflected the complexities of Indian society and culture. The Indian English
novel, in particular, played a significant role in this literary renaissance.

MCQs on the poem, "Indian Summer" by Jayant Mahapatra
Choose the correct alternatives from those given below .
1. The poem, „Indian Summer‟ is composed by……..
a. A. K. Ramanjujan
b. Arun Kolatkar
c. Jayant Mahapatra
d. Nissim Ezekiel
2. The poem, „Indian Summer‟ by Jayant Mahapatra depicts........
a. Indian winter
b. Indian summer
c. Indian festival
d. Indian lover
3. The wind appears to be............to the speaker in the poem, „Indian Summer‟.

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a. happy
b. happy-go-lucky
c. dead
d. sombre
4. The poem, „Indian Summer‟ is composed in………..
a. Blank verse
b. Free Verse
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
5. "priests........louder than ever:
the..........of India opens".
a. chant, mouth
b. mouth, chant
c. shout, mouth
d. mouth, shout
6. The..........move in the deeper waters due to summer heat as depicted in the poem, „Indian Summer‟
a. priests
b. fish
c. crocodiles
d. ducks
7. The poem, „Indian Summer‟ is a/an..........poem.
a. symbolist
b. imagist
c. realistic
d. surrealistic
8. There is a picture of..........in the poem, „Indian Summer‟.
a. heated food

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b. heated midden
c. stale food
d. ice
9. The speaker in the poem, „Indian Summer‟ has........wife.
a. sad
b. happy
c. bad
d. good
10. The speaker's wife in the poem, „Indian Summer‟.........in his bed.
a. reads
b. cries
c. lies
d. jumps
11. The speaker's wife in the poem, „Indian Summer‟ lies in his bed through........
a. the night
b. long day
c. the long afternoon
d. the long morning
12. The speaker's wife in the poem, „Indian Summer‟ lies…….in the bed.
a. dreaming
b. smiling
c. crying
d. laughing
13. The speaker's wife in the poem, „Indian Summer‟ is…….by the deep roar of funeral pyres.
a. sad
b. happy

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c. unexhausted
d. disturbed
14. The speaker's wife in the poem, „Indian Summer‟ remains unexhausted by the........of funeral pyres.
a. loud roar
b. deep roar
c. loud music
d. deep music
15. The poem, 'Indian Summer' is deeply rooted in.........
a. Indianness
b. American culture
c. British culture
d. French culture
16. The poem 'Indian Summer' contains a number of........
a. stanzas
b. symbols
c. themes
d. vivid and concrete pictures
17. The setting of the poem 'Indian Summer' is.........
a. summer season and America
b. summer season and India
c. winter season and America
d. none of the above
18) The poem, „Indian Summer‟ has a/an………….rhyme scheme.
a. regular
b. irregular
c. proper

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d. none of the above

“from TRIAL” by Raj Parthasarathy
Q. Write a critical appreciation of the poem, “from TRIAL” by Raj Parthasarathy.
Ans. The poem "from TRIAL" by R. Parthasarathy is a reflection on mortality, love, and the
fleeting nature of life. The speaker expresses a sense of relief in facing their own mortality, as if
they have reached a point where they are ready to embrace the end. They acknowledge that if
they were suddenly cut off from life, they would not scream or protest, but accept it.
The speaker then admits their inability to unlock the gates of an unknown higher power,
indicating a sense of spiritual uncertainty and a lack of control over their own fate. Night curves,
suggesting a transformation, and the speaker reaches out to grasp the hand of their loved one,
emphasizing a connection and the comfort found in the presence of a loved one.
In the second section, the speaker speaks about the memories and experiences from childhood.
They recall moments from the family album, reflecting on their own growth and development.
School and cultural influences are mentioned, highlighting the complexities of navigating
different identities and desires.
Section seven suggests that it is in the darkness of night that the speaker finds clarity and a
deeper understanding of their own self. Time, which had previously obscured their individuality,
now allows for recognition and a renewed focus. Touch becomes significant, bringing the body
into focus and restoring vitality to the hands.
The ninth section describes an intimate encounter with a lover. The act of undressing before a
mirror suggests vulnerability and self-reflection. The speaker declares their readiness to leave the
past behind and celebrates the present moment with their partner. The imagery of breasts and
their enticing qualities symbolize sensuality and desire.
In the final section, the August heat becomes a metaphor for intense emotions, possibly
representing the passionate connection between the speaker and their partner. The speaker
acknowledges the transience of life and finds meaning in celebrating even the simplest, most
perishable moments.
To conclude, the poem explores themes of mortality, love, memories, and the significance of
human connection. It delves into the complexities of existence, highlighting the fleeting nature of
life and the desire to find meaning and solace in the face of mortality.

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"from EXILE" by Raj Parthasarathy
Q. Write critical analysis of the following poem titled "from EXILE" by Raj Parthasarathy.
Ans. The poem titled "from EXILE" by Raj Parthasarathy explores the theme of displacement
and the complexities of identity. The speaker reflects on their experience of living in exile,
feeling like an outsider in a foreign land. The use of vivid imagery and specific references to
locations and events adds depth to the poem.
The opening lines set a somber tone with the image of lamps burning in the fog, suggesting a
sense of isolation and obscurity. The basement flat becomes a space for conversation and shared
experiences, symbolizing a connection to the past and the need for human interaction.
The speaker reflects on their youth and the pursuit of English culture, hinting at a sense of
longing and searching for belonging. The idea of exile is presented as a transformative
experience that reveals the importance of one's roots and language. The metaphor of language as
a tree losing its color under a different sky conveys the idea of cultural disorientation and the
fading of one's identity.
The poem also explores the contradictions of the past. While the past is reassuring in that it
happened and shapes one's present, it is also depicted as flawed and imperfect. The reference to
immigrants and the derogatory term "coloureds" highlights the challenges faced by marginalized
communities in a foreign land.
The poem shifts its focus to London and the speaker's observations of the city. The decline of the
British Empire is symbolized by the words of an old man at Trafalgar Square, suggesting a
disillusionment with the empire's grandeur. The imagery of Victoria as an old hag shaking her
locks emphasizes the fading power and influence of the empire.
The speaker's reflections on Westminster Bridge and the Thames river evoke a sense of history
and the passing of time. The bridge becomes a symbol of division, separating the city from the
night and highlighting the contrast between the noises of daily life and the tranquility of the
night.
The concluding lines bring the poem back to personal experiences and emotions. The physical
and sensual imagery of the lover smelling of gin and cigarette ash and the sharpness of desire
evoke a sense of intimacy and longing. The speaker expresses the difficulty of describing their
feelings and the complexity of the human heart, emphasizing the necessity of embracing all
aspects of life.
Overall, "from EXILE" captures the complexities of living in a foreign land, the impact of
history and cultural identity, and the profound emotions experienced by the speaker. The poem
invites readers to contemplate the themes of displacement, longing, and the struggle to find a
sense of belonging in an unfamiliar environment.

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MCQs on 'The Logic' by Jayanta Mahapatra
Choose the correct alternatives from those given below .
1. The poem, „The Logic‟ is composed by……..
a. A. K. Ramanjujan
b. Arun Kolatkar
c. Nissim Ezekiel
d. Jayant Mahapatra
2. ...........is the speaker in the poem, „The Logic‟ by Jayant Mahapatra.
a. A woman
b. A man
c. A poet
d. A writer
3. The speaker addresses to his/her...........in the poem, „The Logic‟ by J. Mahapatra…………….
a. wife
b. husband
c. daughter
d. son
4. The poem, „The Logic‟ is composed in………..
a. Blank verse
b. Free Verse
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
5. The husband in the poem, „The Logic‟...........in upholstered chair.
a. stands
b. sleeps

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c. reclines
d. bends
6. The poem, „The Logic‟ is a/an………
a. war poem
b. elegy
c. love poem
d. nature poem
7. The 'clasping geometric hands' refers to………....of the speaker.
a. dullness
b. scholarship
c. happiness
d. sadness
8. The husband in the poem, „The Logic‟ appears to be...........
a. a geometrician
b. a historian
c. a player
d. none of the above
9. The husband in the poem, „The Logic‟ appears to be...........
a. immersed in mental reflections
b. in funny situation
c. dilemma
d. humorous mood
10. The wife in the poem, „The Logic‟ is deeply pinned down by...........
a. her mother
b. her father

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c. her saree
d. her husband
11. The poem, „The Logic‟ is a ...…….poem.
a. religious
b. sad
c. philosophical
d. war
12. The poetic persona in the poem 'The Logic' requests her lover………….
a. to make small and edible love
b. to smile with her
c. to play with her
d. to walk with her
13. The poem, „The Logic‟ is a ...…….poem.
a. religious
b. sad
c. reflective
d. war
14. Mahapatra depicts encounter between.........in the poem, 'The Logic'.
a. son and daughter
b. two neighbours
c. man and woman
d. two friends
15. Jayant Mahapatra is a/an........poet.
a. British
b. American

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c. Indo-Anglian
d. Anglo-Indian
16. ''the first faith of some child goes wrong like some defect in a defect in a………toy."
a. dirty
b. beautiful
c. small
d. mechanical
17. The poem, 'The Logic' has a/an.......rhythmic pattern.
a. perfect
b. imperfect
c. proper
d. none of the above
18) The poem, „The Logic‟ has a/an………….rhyme scheme.
a. regular
b. irregular
c. proper
d. none of the above
the boatride : MCQs
Choose the correct alternatives from those given below. (answers are in bold font)
1. The poem, „the boatride‟ is composed by……..
a. A. K. Ramanjujan
b. Arun Kolatkar
c. Nissim Ezekiel
d. Kamala Das
2. The speaker rides………….in the poem, „the boatride‟ by A. Kolatkar.

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a. a boat
b. a bicycle
c. a motorbike
d. a horse
3. The poem, „the boatride‟ deals with the theme of…………….
a. riding a bike
b. riding a boat
c. riding a ship
d. swimming in the sea
4. The poem, „the boatride‟ is composed in………..
a. Blank verse
b. Free Verse
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
5. The boatman takes……….in the deep sea water as depicted in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. the ship
b. the boat
c. fish
d. his son
6. The movement of the boat disturbs………on the seashore.
a. swimmers
b. other boats
c. the boatman
d. the pigeons
7. There is……….on the seashore as depicted in the poem, „the boatride‟.

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a. pebbles
b. sand
c. stonework
d. a stone
8. The boatman and his boy………..to give signals.
a. blink their eyes
b. show flags
c. wave their hands
d. none of the above
9. The foreman mentioned in the poem, „the boatride‟ has………wife.
a. beautiful
b. ugly
c. self-conscious
d. loving
10. The wife of the man resting against rim of the boat has………
a. golden ornaments
b. silver ornaments
c. black saree
d. pastic bangles
11. The golden ornament of the wife in the poem, „the boatride‟...........
a. are old
b. are new
c. beautify her
d. shine in the sunlight

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12. The newly married couple in the poem, „the boatride‟ smile because the woman with golden
ornaments………….
a. changes her sitting position
b. smile with them
c. shows them her ornaments
d. walks away from them
13. the speedboat swerves off leaving behind a……..of sea.
a. sign
b. water
c. salt
d. divergence
14. The harbour appears to be……………on/in the water of the sea in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. dancing
b. floating
c. swimming
d. reflecting
15. The sea wall is…………in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. black
b. yellow
c. scabby
d. hard
16. According to the old man speaking with his grandchildren in the poem, „the boatride‟, the sea
water is………
a. dirty
b. very cold
c. dense

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d. salty
17. The phrase „the authority of age‟ in the poem, „the boatride‟ shows that the man is………….
a. young
b. tall
c. short
d. old
18. The old man asserts the wet boy……..
a. horrible consequences of falling in sea water
b. good consequences of falling in sea water
c. advantages of falling in sea water
d. horrible consequences of falling in rain water
19. The boys in the boat in the poem, „the boatride‟ learn about the……….captured by Indians.
a. Portuguese
b. British
c. Chinese
d. Pakistani
20. There is also a band of……….in the boat in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. singers
b. dancers
c. musicians
d. acrobats
21. The acrobat woman in the poem, „the boatride‟ has……around her eyes.
a. dark circles
b. red circles
c. black colour

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d. swelling
22. The acrobat woman in the poem, „the boatride‟ has…… eyes.
a. dark
b. blue
c. blinking
d. shuttered
23. The acrobat woman in the poem, „the boatride‟ has…… face.
a. dark
b. red
c. black
d. stony
24. The acrobat woman‟s husband in the poem, „the boatride‟ has…… .
a. a hair in his right nostril
b. a hair on his ear
c. a hair on his cheek
d. a hair on his chest
25. ……….demands balloons as depicted in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. a two years‟ baby
b. a three years baby
c. a four years‟ baby
d. a five years‟ baby
26. ………..came last when the boat nearly started as shown in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. two brothers
b. two sisters
c. three brothers

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d. four brothers
27. There were…………on the boatman‟s saline face in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. dark spots
b. pockmarks
c. wrinkles
d. pimples
28. ………..appears to be sad as a century to the speaker in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. The City of Mumbai
b. The Gate Way of India
c. The Hotel Taj Mahal
d. The Arabian Sea
29. Islam, Mary and Dolphin are the names of the……..in the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. owners of the boat
b. women in the boat
c. men in the boat
d. boats
30. The scene of the poem „the boatride‟ is set……..
a. in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai
b. in the Arabian Sea near Surat
c. the Bay of Bengal near Chennai
d. the Hindi Ocean near Kanyakumari
31. The passengers/voyagers in the boat form…………..in microcosm.
a. society in Mumbai
b. Indian society
c. Hindu Society

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d. the society across the world
32. The descriptions of the scenes in the poem, „the boatride‟ are………
a. complete
b. incomplete
c. all of the above
d. none of the above
33. The special feature of the poem, „the boatride‟ is that it gives the reader actual feel
of………..
a. the swimming
b. the boatman
c. the boatriding
d. all of the above
34. The references of the Gateway of India, Arabian Sea, the woman with ornaments, etc.
impart………to the poem, „the boatride‟.
a. urbaneness
b. Indianness
c. rural touch
d. none of the above
35. The poem, „the boatride‟ has a/an………….rythmic pattern.
a. perfect
b. imperfect
c. proper
d. none of the above
36) The poem, „the boatride‟ has a/an………….rhyme scheme.
a. regular
b. irregular

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c. proper
d. none of the above

“The Logic” by Jayant Mahapatra
Q. Write a critical analysis of the poem “The Logic” by Jayant Mahapatra.
Ans. "The Logic" by Jayant Mahapatra is a poem about the limitations of human understanding
and the transient nature of life. The poem begins by describing someone reclining in an
upholstered chair, surrounded by the lemon-yellow logic of their own understanding. This person
is confident in their knowledge and quotes from their success to prove their point.
However, the poem suggests that this person is limited by their own perspective. The
troglodytes, or primitive people, cannot relate to this person because they are not able to connect
with centuries of history in the same way. The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as the
speaker describes their own body and the ways in which it is vulnerable to the actions of others.
The speaker asks the person in the upholstered chair to make them "small and edible,"
suggesting that they feel helpless and powerless in the face of this person's logic. However, the
poem also suggests that the speaker is complicit in their own subjugation, as they have "practised
drivel" that contributes to their own pain.
The poem ends with a sense of uncertainty, as the speaker reflects on the passage of time and
the ways in which it affects our perception of the world. The first faith of a child goes wrong,
suggesting that our early beliefs and understandings are often misguided. However, the poem
also suggests that this uncertainty is not necessarily a negative thing. Even as the speaker loses
their grasp on time and their own understanding, there is a sense of wonder and possibility in the
unknown.

The Blue Horse : MCQs and Notes
Choose the correct option from those given below. (Answers in bold font)
1. The poem „The Blue Horse‟ is composed by……………
a) Kamala Das
b) Arun Kolatkar
c) Nissim Ezekiel

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d) R. Tagore
2. The poem „The Blue Horse‟ is set at……………
a) Pandharpur
b) Jejuri
c) Pune
d) Varanasi
3. The poem „The Blue Horse‟ ridicules at……………in Indian society.
a) God
b) religion
c) sincerity
d) hypocrisy
4. The poem „The Blue Horse‟ depicts……………
a) a group of singers
b) a group of dancers
c) a group of players
d) a temple
5. The toothless singer depicted in the first stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ is……….
a) a small boy
b) a small girl
c) a man
d) a woman
6. The toothless singer depicted in the first stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ has……….
a) half burnt tongue
b) half burnt face
c) very clean face

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d) very sweet voice
7. The drummer depicted in the second stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ goes……….in the
face.
a) red
b) pink
c) black
d) blue
8. The drummer depicted in the second stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ has……….skin
a) fair
b) black
c) white
d) red
9. The drummer depicted in the second stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ has blacker skin
due to………..
a) the sun
b) the moon
c) the hunger
d) the thirst
10. The drummer depicted in the second stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ joins the chorus
in a/an…………
a) enthusiastic passion
b) enthusiastic zeal
c) keyless passion
d) tremendous passion
11. The drummer depicted in the second stanza of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ joins has
a……………brother.
a) pockmarked

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b) loving
c) fair skinned
d) black skinned
12. The speaker in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ calls the act of the singers a………………
a) passionless act
b) passionate act
c) cabaret act
d) cheerful act
13. The priest in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ has arranged the programme of the singers
at/in……….
a) his own house
b) a temple
c) an open place
d) a large hall
14. The singers in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ sang of the……………
a) red horse
b) black horse
c) dark horse
d) blue horse
15. The horse painted on the wall in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ was………..
a) black
b) red
c) blue
d) dark
16. The priest in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ chews …………..

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a) a betel nut
b) chewing gum
c) a chocolate
d) tobacco
17. …………..in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ points out the speaker that the horse painted on the
wall is blue.
a) The old singer
b) The pockmarked half brother
c) The drummer
d) The prist
18. The poem, „The Blue Horse‟ is…………..in tone.
a) humorous
b) ironical
c) both a and b
d) none of the above
19. The condition of the singers in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ is……….
a) sound
b) pathetic
c) very good
d) comfortable
20. The rhyme scheme in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ is………….
a) perfect
b) irregular
c) harmonious
d) regular

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21. The lines in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ are…………
a) uneven
b) even
c) short
d) long
22. The poem, „The Blue Horse‟ is composed in/with…………
a) free verse
b) blank verse
c) perfect rhyme scheme
d) none of the above
23. The images in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ are…………
a) vivid
b) concrete
c) unclear
d) both a and b
24. The diction in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ is…………
a) obscure
b) simple
c) complicated
d) all of the above
25. The poem, „The Blue Horse‟ depicts…………..
a) foreign culture
b) rural culture
c) European culture
d) Indian culture

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26. The singers in the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ sing…………
a) the story of Khandoba
b) the story of Lord Krishna
c) Indian folksong
d) Indian glory
27. The phrase „Shorts the circuits‟ in the beginning part of the poem, „The Blue Horse‟ drives
home to us that the singer has……….
a) melodious voice
b) not melodious voice
c) sweet voice
d) none of the above
28. The terms – „half-burnt tongue‟, „black skin‟ and „pockmarked‟ throw light on……….
a) good condition of the singers
b) pathetic condition of the singers
c) all of the above
d) none of the above
29. The poem, 'The Blue Horse' is taken from a collection of poetry............by Arun Kolatkar.
a) The Boatride and Other Poems
b) Jejuri
c) Time to Change
d) Says Tuka
30. Arun Kolatkar was a.........poet.
a) Hindi
b) bilingual
c) Tamil

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d) Bengali

Q.1. Write Critical analysis of the poem, “The Blue Horse ”.
OR
Q.2. How does the speaker expose the hypocrisy of the priest in the poem “The Blue
Horse”?
OR
Q.3. „The Blue Horse is a perfect Indian poem.‟ Explain.
Ans. Arun Kolatkar was a well known Indian English poet. He was a bilingual poet. He has
composed his poems in Marathi and English also. He is well-known for collection of poetry -
“Jejuri" (1976). He won Commonwealth Writers Prize in 1977 for “Jejuri ''. It is a collection of
31 poems. It depicts the speaker's (who is the poet himself) visit to the pilgrimage “Jejuri" in
Maharashtra. The poems in “Jejuri” depict the superstitious middle class society in India. We
find a deep impression of Marathi poetry on Kolatkar‟s English poetry and vice versa. There is a
profound use of humour in everyday matters in his poetry. However, his poetry has left a deep
impression on other Marathi poets also.
“The Blue Horse” is a poem by Arun Kolatkar. It is one of the poems in the collection of poetry,
"Jejuri". It attacks the superstitious nature of Indian society. It reveals the hypocrisy of the priests
in the temple of Lord Khandoba. It is humorous too. It humorously depicts the singers and
musicians in the group who sing in praise of the God Khandoba on behalf of the devotees.
There is a toothless singer who opens her mouth to sing. Her voice sounds like short
circuits. The poet calls her throat „haywire throat‟. She has a half-burnt tongue also. A shower
of sparks are generated from her half-burnt tongue. There is a drummer also in the group. The
poet also describes him quite humorously. His face has fallen. His black skin looks burnt due to
the scorching sun. He seems to be without any passion. Still he thumps and whacks his
tambourine. His another companion has a pockmarked face. The poet calls him „half-brother‟ of
the drummer. The poet ironically calls them „God's own children‟. In this way, the first stanza in
the poem depicts the humorous picture of a group of singers who praise the lord Khandoba in
their song. It creates sympathy for the singers in the minds of the readers although the picture is
humorous. Thus, there is fine blending of humour and pathos in the poem.
In the second stanza, the poet reveals the hypocrisy of the priest. The priest arranges the
programme of singing at his own house. The poet ironically calls it „sacred cabaret act‟. The
speaker looks at it ridiculously. He asks the priest that they are singing of a blue horse, but the
horse painted on the wall is white. How is it? The character of the priest is also depicted
humorously. He is shown chewing a betel nut. With the betel nut in the mouth, he replies that the
horse looks blue to him. He shifts the betel nut from left side to right in his mouth. He draws the

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end of the nutcracker along the underbelly of the horse to show its blue shade of colour. The
poet, humorously and ironically too, calls the horse „the noble animal‟.
In this way, the poem, “The Blue Horse '' is humorous and ironic too. It exposes the hypocrisy of
the priests who loot the innocent devotees in the name of God and religion. The poem throws
light on superstitious nature of Indian society. It throws light on the pathetic condition of the
singers to whom the poet calls „God‟s own children‟. It also throws light on the Indian custom of
offering the first-borns to Lord Khandoba by middle-class families. They are called „Waghya
(boy) and Murli (girl)‟. They devote their whole life in the service of Lord Khandoba.
There is an abundant use of vivid images in the poem. The images of - „toothless woman singer‟,
„the drummer with black skin‟, „man with pockmarked face‟ „the priest with betel nut in the
mouth‟, etc. are humorous, vivid and concrete.
The poem is composed in free verse. It has no perfect rhyme scheme. The lines in the poem are
uneven. Perhaps, they are symbolic of Indian middle class society. They stand for the
psychological trauma of Indian middle class society. The poem is a perfect Indian poem. It is set
in Jejuri which is a sacred pilgrimage in Maharashtra, India.