Ideological crisis in Rao’s Comrade Kirillor Authors Dr. Ram Shankar Yadav

Abstract

Rao has played very vital role in the evolution of Indian English Fiction. He has given is quite
different from the other novels of Raja Rao. Its theme is political. The novel does not have any
metaphysical quest. Indian thoughts and traditions do not find much room in it. However, political
thoughts are discussed in the novel. Its main thrust is ideological. The novelist has particular focus on
the predicament of the Indian intellectuals’ fascination with Marxism which was a craze amongst
educated people of India during those days. They had developed a taste for Marxism as they thought it
was almost necessary for proper intellectual evolution of educated class. Today, Rao is regarded as
one of the most perfect Indian English novelists. Though his short stories are not of the best quality,
yet they have been of much significance. Some of them may be said to be prologues to his novels. The
way of story-telling that Rao has employed in them, is praiseworthy. ‘Comrade Kirillov’ is quite
different from the other novels of Raja Rao. Its theme is political. The novel does not have any
metaphysical quest. Indian thoughts and traditions do not find much room in it. However, political
thoughts are discussed in the novel. Its main thrust is ideological. The novelist has particular focus on
the predicament of the Indian intellectuals’ fascination with Marxism which was a craze amongst
educated people of India during those days. They had developed a taste for Marxism as they thought it
was almost necessary for proper intellectual evolution of educated class.
Key words: Indian English Fiction, Comrade Kirillov and Political thoughts.