Shashi Deshpande: Life and Career
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Questions and Answers

What is the full name of the award Shashi Deshpande received in 1991?

Sahitya Akademi award

In which year was Shashi Deshpande born?

1938

Which of the following novels was awarded the Thirumathi Rangmmal Award?

  • That Long Silence
  • Roots And Shadows (correct)
  • If I Die Today
  • The Dark Holds No Terrors

Shashi Deshpande's father was a Sanskrit scholar.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Shashi Deshpande's husband encourage her to do while in England?

<p>Write about her life and experiences (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which magazine did Shashi Deshpande first work as a journalist for?

<p>The Onlooker</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many novels has Shashi Deshpande written?

<p>Thirteen</p> Signup and view all the answers

Shashi Deshpande's novel 'If I Die Today' is a ______ novel.

<p>detective</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the subjects of the degrees Shashi Deshpande obtained?

<p>Economics and law</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which character in 'The Dark Holds No Terrors' feels embarrassed by his wife's success?

<p>Manu (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Shashi Deshpande's Background

Shashi Deshpande, an Indian-English short story writer, was born in 1938 in Dharwad, Karnataka, with a background influenced by her father's writing and diverse language exposure.

Shashi Deshpande's Education

Shashi Deshpande studied in Dharwad, Mumbai, and Bangalore, earning degrees in economics and law, which provided her with a strong intellectual foundation.

Shashi Deshpande's Literary Influences

Shashi Deshpande was influenced by Western writers like Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, as well as Indian writers like Kalidasa and Bhavabhuti.

Shashi Deshpande's Career Shift

After moving to England, encouraged by her husband, Shashi Deshpande transitioned to writing, documenting her experiences.

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Early Recognition for Shashi Deshpande

Shashi Deshpande gained initial recognition through publications such as Femina and Eve's Weekly, notably winning a consolation prize.

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Shashi Deshpande's The Dark Holds No Terrors Theme

This novel explores the societal tensions faced by a successful woman in a traditional setting, highlighting the conflicts between female independence and traditional expectations.

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Shashi Deshpande's If I Die Today Genre

This is a detective novel set in a medical college, revolving around a murder investigation and the complexities of a cancer patient.

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Shashi Deshpande's Roots and Shadows Theme

This novel centers on the struggles of an educated woman navigating the constraints of a patriarchal society; the societal differences in gender roles.

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Shashi Deshpande's Awards

Shashi Deshpande received the Sahitya Akademi Award for That Long Silence in 1991 and the Thirumathi Rangammal Award for Roots and Shadows.

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Study Notes

Shashi Deshpande: Life and Career

  • Shashi Deshpande is a prominent Indian-English short story writer known for her significant contributions to both short stories and novels.
  • Received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991 for her novel That Long Silence (1988).
  • Awarded the Thirumathi Rangammal Award for Roots and Shadows (1983) for best novel published in India (1982-1983).
  • Born in 1938 in Dharwad, Karnataka; her father, Sriranga, was a notable dramatist and Sanskrit scholar, influencing her writing style.
  • Her upbringing included a diverse mixture of languages, including Kannada, English, and Marathi.
  • Identifies three formative influences: her father's writing career, her English education, and her experiences as a female.
  • Educated in Dharwad, Mumbai, and Bangalore, attaining degrees in economics and law.
  • Literarily influenced by classics such as Jane Austen, Brontë sisters, Hardy, Dickens, and Indian writers like Kalidasa and Bhavabhuti.
  • Shifted to writing after moving to England at age thirty upon her husband’s encouragement to document her experiences.
  • Completed a journalism course at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in Mumbai and briefly worked as a journalist for The Onlooker, where she began writing short stories.
  • Gained initial recognition through women’s magazines like Femina and Eve’s Weekly, winning a consolation prize for her short story in Eve’s Weekly.
  • Authored thirteen novels, including four children's books, five short story collections, a screenplay (Drishtee, 1990), and a collection of essays.

Notable Works

  • The Dark Holds No Terrors (1980)
    • Focuses on Sarita, a successful doctor and economically independent middle-class wife whose success creates tension with her husband, Manu.
    • Themes include male ego, Indian traditions, and the challenges of female identity and independence.
  • If I Die Today (1982)
    • A detective novel set in a medical college; involves murder and unrest stirred by a cancer patient named Guru.
    • The story is narrated by Manju, who aids in unraveling the plot.
  • Roots and Shadows (1983)
    • Centers on Indu, a modern, well-educated woman navigating the trials of a male-dominated society and her conservative husband, Jayant.
    • Illustrates the struggles against traditional gender roles and the quest for individual autonomy.

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Description

Explore the life and literary contributions of Shashi Deshpande, a prominent figure in Indian English literature. This quiz will illuminate her impact on the short story genre, her notable awards, and her dual strengths in both novels and short stories.

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