"Coolie" Novel author name
VerifiedAnswer: Mulk Raj Anand
Explanation:
"Coolie" is a powerful novel written by Mulk Raj Anand, one of India's most celebrated authors in English literature. Published in 1936, this novel stands as a masterpiece of Indian fiction that portrays the harsh realities faced by the working class in colonial India.
Mulk Raj Anand was born on December 12, 1905, in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) and became one of the founding fathers of Indian English literature. He was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy and was committed to highlighting social issues through his writing. Anand's works often focused on the struggles of the underprivileged sections of society, making him a champion of social realism in Indian literature.
The novel "Coolie" tells the tragic story of Munoo, a young boy from a hill village who becomes a coolie (manual laborer) in various Indian cities. Through Munoo's journey, Anand masterfully depicts the exploitation, poverty, and social injustice prevalent during the British colonial period. The story takes readers through different locations including Sham Nagar, Daulatpur, Bombay, and Simla, showing how the protagonist faces hardships at every step.
This novel is particularly significant because it gives voice to the voiceless masses of India. Anand's realistic portrayal of the working class struggles made "Coolie" an important contribution to progressive literature. The book highlights themes of class conflict, social inequality, and the dehumanizing effects of poverty and exploitation.
Mulk Raj Anand's writing style in "Coolie" combines English narrative techniques with Indian cultural elements, making it accessible to both Indian and international readers. His use of Indian English, incorporating local expressions and cultural references, helped establish a distinct Indian voice in English literature. The novel's emotional depth and social relevance have made it a classic that continues to be studied in literature courses worldwide.
