The Most Famous Writer in India, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the writer you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 07:16

In a country rich with literary history and cultural narratives, the impact of its writers shapes not only the national identity but also the global literary landscape. Tracking the most famous writer among them helps highlight those whose words have resonated most deeply with readers, offering insights into what themes and stories captivate a diverse audience. This live ranking serves as a dynamic testament to the writers' ongoing influence and popularity. By participating in this voting process, you help celebrate the literary achievements of these writers and aid in recognizing the profound effect their work has on literature and society at large.

Who Is the Most Famous Writer in India?

1

46
votes
Generalstabens litografiska anstalt · Public domain

Rabindranath Tagore

He was a Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. His works, including poems, songs, and plays, are seen as an important part of Indian and Bengali literary culture.
Rabindranath Tagore in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous poet in India
- Position 2 of 10 in Most brilliant person in India
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person in Bangladesh
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous artist in India
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous historical person in India
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous writer in Asia
2

45
votes

Amrhelweh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Vikram Seth

He is an Indian novelist and poet, best known for his book "A Suitable Boy". The book, which was published in 1993, is one of the longest novels ever published in a single volume in the English language.
3

21
votes
Original: © Ed Lederman/PEN American Center Derivative work: Danyele · CC BY 2.0

Salman Rushdie

He is an Indian-born British novelist and essayist, best known for his book "Midnight's Children". The book, which won the Booker Prize in 1981, is a magical realist novel that tells the story of India's transition from British colonialism to independence.
Salman Rushdie in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous writer in Asia
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous living author
4

12
votes
Augustus Binu/ facebook · CC BY-SA 3.0

Arundhati Roy

She is an Indian author and political activist, best known for her book "The God of Small Things". The book, which won the Booker Prize in 1997, is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the lives of a family in Kerala, India.
Arundhati Roy in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous writer in Asia
5

17
votes
Fronteiras do Pensamento · CC BY-SA 2.0

Amartya Sen

He is an Indian economist and philosopher who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998. He is best known for his work on welfare economics and social choice theory.
Amartya Sen in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most talented person in India
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous human rights lawyer
6

17
votes

librairie mollat · CC BY 3.0

Jhumpa Lahiri

She is an Indian-American author, best known for her book "The Namesake". The book, which was published in 2003, tells the story of an Indian-American family living in the United States.
7

14
votes
R. K. Balaraman (photographer) · Public domain

R.K. Narayan

He was an Indian writer, best known for his book "Malgudi Days". The book, which was first published in 1943, is a collection of short stories that are set in the fictional town of Malgudi.
R.K. Narayan in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person in Karnataka
8

10
votes

Muhammad Mahdi Karim · GFDL 1.2

Salman Khurshid

He is an Indian lawyer and politician who has written several books, including "At Home in India: A Restatement of Indian Muslims" and "Sons of Babur: A Play in Search of India".
9

10
votes

Vicharam · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ruskin Bond

He is an Indian author of British descent, best known for his books for children, including "The Blue Umbrella" and "The Room on the Roof". His works often feature the natural beauty of India and its people.
10

4
votes
Vicharam · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chetan Bhagat

He is an Indian author, best known for his books "Five Point Someone" and "One Night @ the Call Center". His works are popular among young adults in India and often deal with issues of modernity and cultural change.
Chetan Bhagat in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous IITian

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Ranking factors for famous writer

Literary Contributions

The writer's body of work, including the number of published books, novels, short stories, and essays, as well as their impact on Indian literature.
Popularity and Sales

The popularity of the writer's works, including book sales, translations, and adaptations into other media like films or television shows.
Awards and Honor

Recognition received by the writer in the form of literary awards, national and international honours, and accolades for their contribution to Indian literature.
Influence and Legacy

The writer's impact on shaping literary trends, genres, and themes in Indian literature, as well as their influence on subsequent generations of writers.
Critical Acclaim

The critical reception of the writer's works, including reviews, scholarly analysis, and literary criticism.
Cultural Impact

The writer's ability to capture the essence of Indian culture, addressing social, political, or cultural issues, and connecting with readers across different generations.
Global Recognition

The recognition of the writer beyond national borders, through translations, international awards, and popularity among a diverse range of readers worldwide.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous writer in India. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Author is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1527 views
197 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Author once every 24 hours. The rank of each Author is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous writer in india

India is a country known for its rich cultural heritage, including its literature. Indian literature has produced some of the most iconic and influential writers in the world. From Rabindranath Tagore and R.K. Narayan to Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy, Indian writers have made their mark on the literary world. However, when it comes to determining the most famous writer in India, opinions vary. Some argue that it is Rabindranath Tagore, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali. Others believe it is Salman Rushdie, author of the acclaimed novel, Midnight's Children, which won the Booker Prize in 1981. Regardless of who is considered the most famous, there is no denying the immense impact that Indian writers have had on the world of literature.