The Prose Style of E. M. Forster — An Attempt

Abstract

Indian Writing in English is multi-dimensional. Prose is enriched by writers of diverse milieu. Freedom fighters, intellectuals, philosophers, journalists, lawyers, scientists, officers, diplomats, statesmen, politicians and persons of high offices have contributed to this genre.

The writings of Indian Presidents deserve a close study and serve the purpose of course correction for the nation. This paper tries to make an overview of the writing, traces the patterns and erect a structure. The position of Indian President in Indian Constitution has been envisaged as conscience keeper of the nation and path finder. Indian Presidential writing naturally reflects the high values and thoughts of these statesmen, Rajendra Prasad, S. Radhakrishnan, Zakir Hussain, V.V. Giri, N.Sanjiva Reddy, Zail Singh, R. Venkataraman, S.D. Sharma, K. R. Narayan, Abdul Kalam and Pranab Mukherjee who occupied the office from 1947 onwards. Two streams of thought: progress of the nation and humanity; the evolution of thought beacons are evident in the writing. Paradigm shift and rethinking is imperative to reorient the statesman as a writer. Indian Presidents as writers are a class apart.

Keywords

Indian Prose Writing in English, Multi-dimensional and diverse milieu in prose, Indian Presidents’ writing, Pattern and structure of Indian Presidents’ prose, Rethinking Presidents as writers.