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Here are 10 of the most influential Indian writers in English today:

Chetan BhagatChetan Bhagat may not be the critics darling, but this IIM graduate and former investment

banker has touched a chord with a youthful readership ranging from college students to IT

employees. His first novel,Five Point Someone (2004), is one of the biggest selling Englishnovels in the history of Indian publishing. His latest, 2 StatesThe Story of My Marriage, was

the best selling book by an Indian author in 2009. Bhagats success has spawned a whole army of

clones who churn out books that have mimic his colloquial language, college and corporatesettings, linear narratives and lightweight plots. Bhagat and his loyal fans have learned to ignore

the army of naysayers bemoaning the lack of intellectual heft in his books. He has in many ways,

earned the right to crow from the rooftopsin the age of Facebook and Twitter, hes managed to

turn a large proportion of Indian youth into avid readers.

Kiran DesaiIn 2006 Kiran Desai became only the second Indian woman to win the Man Booker prize for her

second novel, The Inheritance of Loss. The daughter of eminent Indian novelist Anita Desai,Kiran Desai is at the vanguard of a new generation of Indian writers in English exploring themes

of globalization and exploitation in 21st century India.

Aravind AdigaAravind Adiga is the newest Indian writer to become a worldwide publishing phenomenon. Aformer journalist with Time magazine, Adigas first novel, The White Tiger(2008) won the Man

Booker prize, making him the fourth Indian novelist do so. The White Tigerexplored the dark

underbelly of the new, modern India and was a fixture on best seller lists across the country.

Amitav Ghosh

One of the most acclaimed Indian writers in English, Amitav Ghoshs novels have wonrecognition across the globe for the power of their story telling and historical settings. Ghosh,who has a D.Phil in Anthropology from Oxford University, has also written a number of non-

fiction books that focus on a wide variety of topics ranging from fundamentalism to Egyptian

and Judeo culture. His last novel, the epic Sea of Poppies (2008), the first volume in a trilogy,was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize.

Salman RushdieSalman Rushdie may no longer dominate the best seller lists as he once used to, but he still

wields enormous influence and remains much admired among Indian writers in English. His

second book,Midnights Children, won the Booker of Bookers prize in in 1993 and 2008an

award that honored the best book to ever win the Booker prize. His latest novel, the historicalThe Enchantress of Florence was published in 2008.

Amit ChaudhuriAmit Chaudhuri is probably the only Indian writer to be as renowned for his literary works as his

musical career. An accomplished classical singer, he has performed in India, the UK and the USand has also released an album titled This is Not Fusion. Chaudhuris books have won his

numerous awards around the globe, including the Los Angeles Times book prize in 2003 for

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Freedom Song. His latest novel, The Immortals (2009) combines his love for music and literature

and has won critical acclaim for its depiction of the pleasures of music.

Vikram SethVikram Seth made headlines when he received an enormous advance of GBP 500,000 for his

novel,A Suitable Boy (1993). The 1,474 page novel of post-independence India became andovernight bestseller and garnered Seth worldwide fame. His last book was the memoir, Two

Lives, published in 2005. A Suitable Girl, his eagerly awaited sequel to A Suitable Boy, is due to

be published in 2013.

Anita DesaiAnita Desai has long been considered one of the pre-eminent Indian women writers in English.Her books, which have explored themes of belonging and familial ties, remain popular. Desai

has taught at universities and colleges in the US, including the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology. Her most famous work isIn Custody (1984) which was shortlisted for the Booker

prize. Her last novel, The Zigzag Way was published in 2004.

Ruskin BondRuskin Bonds books about small town life in the Himalayas, laced with gentle humor andnostalgia, remain firm favorites among Indian readers. Compilations of his work have been

published in recent years and have proved to be popular among readers yearning for a bygone era

when life was much simpler.

Shobhaa DeShobhaa De, Indias best selling woman writer recently published her 16th book, sweet sixteenth(2009). De, a prolific columnist and blogger, writes books filled with privileged protagonists

from Bombays high society. Known as the Indian Jackie Collins and The Maharani of Muck,

De shows no signs of slowing down after two decades of scaling commercial highs.

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