Dismantling the Myth of Nature and Naturalism in the Select Poems of K.N. Daruwalla

The most extensive journeys commence with a singular step. Naturalism also has its historical footprints. The evolution of realistic and naturalistic literature can be traced back to Émile Zola’s contributions. Subsequently, France introduced the principles of realism and naturalism to Britain. Good literature frequently transcends national boundaries. The naturalism of French literature soon became an integral part of British literature. In British literature, the spirit of naturalism flourished through the works of Joseph Conrad, a Polish-born author who wrote in English. The naturalistic movement in British literature has significantly influenced the evolution of Indian literature in English, demonstrating a substantial interconnection between these literary traditions and highlighting how cultural and historical contexts shape literary expression. This research explores the dynamics of this influence, examining key works and authors that illustrate the impact of British naturalism on the thematic and stylistic development of Indian English literature. It underwent a phenomenal transformation with the aid of a group of poets known as the ‘neo-modernists’. K.N. Daruwalla, the group leader, made this naturalistic temperament his Black Horse in riding the Odysseus journey of English literature by the Indians. This paper aims to explore the spirit of nature and naturalism in the poetry of K.N. Daruwalla.