Existentialism in the Novels of Mulk Raj Anand

Existentialism is a 20th century philosophical term which is centered on the analysis of existence and of the way humans finds themselves existing in the world. The notion is that humans exist first and then each individual spends a lifetime changing their essence or nature. It is a sophisticated philosophy that deals with the definite attitude of looking at life, recently has been simplified and applied to all sorts of people and activities that are tenuously connected with existentialism. The philosophy begins from man and his existence as a subject and not an object. The existentialists think passionately about man’s existence and treat him not only as a thinking subject but an initiator of action and a centre of feeling. Mulk Raj Anand, a young and recalcitrant Indian decided to take writing as a profession. He rose to prominence with his maiden novel, Untouchable, (1935) depicting the cries of lower classes of people. His portrayal of Bakha created havoc in the intellectual minds.