Indian Ink

Book Details

• Publisher: Faber & Faber

• Author: Tom Stoppard

• Language: English

• Edition: Main

• ISBN: 9780571175567

• Pages: 96

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.0 x 0.4 inches

About the Book

Indian Ink by Tom Stoppard is a beautifully layered play that explores the intimate lives of its characters against the backdrop of India’s transition from British rule. The narrative weaves between two time periods—1930 and the 1980s—following Flora Crewe, a young English poet who visits India and has her portrait painted by a local artist. More than fifty years later, the artist’s son arrives in London to meet Flora’s sister, while a would-be biographer searches for traces of Flora's life in India.

Through this alternating timeline, Stoppard skillfully delves into themes of love, art, and cultural exchange, set against one of history's great shifts: the decline of the British Empire and the emergence of an independent Indian subcontinent. Indian Ink, originally a radio play titled In the Native State, was first performed in 1995 and later staged at the Aldwych Theatre in London.

Incorporating wit, humor, and poignant emotion, this play offers a profound reflection on how personal histories are shaped by larger historical forces. Stoppard's trademark sharp dialogue and rich characterization ensure that Indian Ink remains an insightful exploration of identity, empire, and artistic legacy.