"India," to quote actress and human rights activist Shabana Azmi, "is a country that lives in several centuries simultaneously." Just as those different time periods seem to coexist in one place, so do the voices of brilliant literary talents. Each of these writers and their works have contributed to help the world better understand this expansive country and its beautiful, multifaceted culture, whether it be from within India’s own borders or through the memory of its customs and traditions from distant continents.
The following list begins with highlights of the works of outstanding Indian authors of the past few decades, followed by must-listen debuts from gifted authors of Indian heritage.
Authors
Known for her bold political commentary in works of fiction as well as essays, Arundhati Roy is not afraid to tell it like it is. With a Booker Prize in her corner for her novel The God of Small Things, Roy has effectively merged literary craft with political awareness. Although it’s one of her later works, is where you should start. Part commentary on lives in crises and part about the land itself, this listen, narrated by Roy herself, will tug at your heartstrings. Then you should make your way through her essays and the acclaimed .
The incorporation of satire into fiction was made more mainstream in India with the works of Chetan Bhagat. With many of his novels being adapted into Bollywood films, Bhagat’s rise to fame has been swift, and his audio catalog is impressive. Start with , narrated by Sartaj Garewal, which pokes holes at the elitist and rigid ideologies of one of the leading engineering schools in India.
If there is any one author who captures the eternal quest to belong to a physical place, it is Jhumpa Lahiri. With prose that truly casts a spell, Lahiri writes stories of immigrants in a foreign land clinging to parts of their home and elements of their identity. While there is no one right place to start with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s body of work, , narrated by Sarita Choudhry, is a great first listen. You’ll have some time to enjoy Lahiri's previous works before her newest release comes out in mid-2021—trust me, once you start, you won’t be able to stop until you’ve listened to everything she’s ever written.
