ABSTRACT
The movement for independence had emerged as a very constitutionally-minded, patrician-led component of indigenous politics. Its constitutional methods lent itself to a tentative and hierarchical approach to the question of emancipation. The impetus for the writers’ movement had been created from the experiences of writers in Europe organising to oppose fascism. The techniques and methods of organisation taken up by South Asian writers were inspired by their experience of taking part in conferences in Europe. During the war the official public prouncements of the AIPWA over their apparent support for the war effort, as well as giving credence to the notion of separate nationalities, could easily have resulted in the loss of support from some writers and national leaders. Right into the late 1950s many of the core themes of progressive literature found expression in the most popular medium of cinema in India. Many Indian writers took enormous risks to their personal safety as well as their literary activity.
