Contemporary Indian Writers In English (CIWE) presents critical commentaries on some of the best-known names in the genre. With the high visibility of Indian writing in English in academic, critical, pedagogic and readerly circles, there is a perceivable demand for lucid yet rigorous introductions to many of its authors and genres. Indian writing in English, in each of its genres – fiction, poetry, non-fiction and drama – has a diversity of themes, forms and styles. CIWE titles explore precisely this rich diversity. Attention to the narrative form of the novels/poems is accompanied by a detailed reading of the central themes in the author's works. The plan of the series is to provide as complete a survey of an author's oeuvre as possible, within a manageable length.

CIWE seeks to strike a balance between providing an introductory study as well as a critical appraisal of the writer's work. The former serves the informed, non-specialist reader, while the latter suits the academic essay/seminar/assignment in literature classrooms. The theoretical approaches are wide-ranging – from structural analysis of narrative to feminist literary criticism. Every text in the series provides biographical information, close textual analysis, a survey of the author's chief thematic concerns, bibliographic information for the ones who wish to pursue further reading, and a comprehensive list of topics for discussion. The last one is meant to aid further reflection on the author or text, and is indicative of the potential every author in the Indian writing in English ‘canon’ possesses.

This book focuses on Mahesh Dattani, perhaps India's most important playwright in English today. Dattani blends conventional themes with some startlingly new ones in his work.