The Chekhovian Tradition in Indian Literature

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Banerjee, R. “The Chekhovian Tradition in Indian Literature.” Dva veka russkoi klassiki, vol. 8, no. 1, 2026, pp. 334–345. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22455/2686-7494-2026-8-1-334-345
Abstract:
At the beginning of the 20th century, India was undergoing a period of transition marked by tension in its socioeconomic and cultural development. Leading Indian writers and thinkers, searching for new ideas and forms of expression, turned to Russian literature, where they found answers to many pressing questions. The innovative playwright and master of the short story, Anton Chekhov, attracted the attention of the Indian literary world when his works began to be published in the country’s literary journals. They went on to have a profound influence on the literary world and progressive writers of India: M. Premchand, R. Tagore, T. Bandyopadhyay, and others. Chekhov’s themes, ideas, and poetics can be traced in the works of many Indian writers, as the issues raised in the works of the Russian classic are highly relevant in the Indian context. This article provides a brief overview of the Chekhovian tradition in India and highlights the main Chekhovian themes embodied in the works of Indian writers. The article demonstrates that the reception of Chekhov in India occurred through two primary channels: direct contacts (influence and direct borrowing) and typological convergences resulting from the commonalities in the socio-cultural development of both countries in the 20th century.
Keywords: A. P. Chekhov, India, reception, translations, influence, typological affinities
Author: Ranjana Banerjee
Information about the author:
Ranjana Banerjee, PhD in Philology, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, Munirka 110067 New Delhi, India.

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3771-5192

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received: November 18, 2025
Approved after reviewing: January 24, 2026
Published: March 25, 2026
Issue: 2026 Volume 8 No. 1
Pages: 334-345
DOI: Visit Website
EDN:
https://elibrary.ru/VXHDPV
UDK: 821.161.1.09"19"; 821.21.0
Publication Type: Research Article

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