Indian Thought and Tradition in the later Short Stories of Raja Rao

Abstract

Raja Rao is an outstanding personality amongst the first rate Indian English fiction writers. ‘The
Policeman and the Rose’ is a highly symbolic and complex story. It is replete with the advaitic
philosophy of ‘Jiva’ and ‘Soul’. Its Vedantic nature makes its serious, ambiguous and hence―complex.
‘India: A Fable’ is another attention winning story of the second collection. Its theme is developed
through a conversation between the narrator and the French child-Pirrot. ‘The Premiere of Shakuntala’
is also a fine story of Raja Rao. It is not a reproduction of Kalidas’ interesting story. Rao has described
Kalidas’ personal life and his intellectual rivals. Rao throws out ample light on the history of Ujjain and
its glory. Rao’s comments on the classical literature of India are of much significance. The writer has
highlighted Indian thought and tradition within the short bulk of story. Notwithstanding diverse themes
and techniques, Rao's short stories bring a unity of vision of the rich and ages-old yet vital and living
Indian tradition. On several occasions, Rao has admitted the impact of the Sanskrit classics on his works.
Most of his works reflect Indianness. He begins his stories generally as 'once upon a time etc.' It is, of
course, a variation of Sanskrit as vFk iqjk or vklhn~ iqjkA
Key Words: Fiction writers, Jiva and Soul, Shakuntala & Indianness.