Social Realism in Indian Literature: Comparative Perspectives on Tagore and Prem Chand’s Portrayal of Society in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

Social realism is a literary trend that aims to portray the socioeconomic reality of its era, frequently criticizing oppression, inequality, and the hardships of the underprivileged. Rabindranath Tagore and Munshi Prem Chand stand out as two influential authors who skilfully used social realism to depict the intricacies of Indian life under colonial control in the backdrop of early 20th-century Indian literature. This research explores Tagore and Prem Chand’s views on social realism, looking at how their writings capture the social issues, subtle cultural differences, and personal circumstances of their time. Through his complex poetry and prose, Tagore explores subjects like women's oppression, the struggle between tradition and modernization, and the pursuit of identity by an individual within a constrictive social structure. His writings, such as Ghare Baire (The Home and the World), combine lyrical with a deep social critique to offer a critical perspective on nationalism and patriarchy. However, Prem Chand, who is frequently called the founder of Hindi-Urdu social realism, emphasizes the caste prejudice, hardships of the farmers under colonial exploitation and the predicament of the rural poor. His celebrated novel Godaan (The Gift of a Cow) vividly captures the stark realities of agrarian life. This research proposes that both writers make effective use of social realism to address social injustices, their varied linguistic and cultural contexts influence their narrative techniques and thematic interests. The present study highlights their mutual dedication to social justice and their continuing relevance in modern times by contrasting Prem Chand’s realistic and grounded storytelling with Tagore's introspective, frequently utopian critique, and discussions on inequality and cultural identity.