Paper short abstract:

Anthropological analysis of two works of fiction on corporate culture in India argues the fictional representation of a culture built on the pedestal of macro economic growth but influencing other integrated , non separable dimensions of life.

Paper long abstract:

Literature or fiction , a form of art, mirrors the culture against which it has been constructed and also perhaps through the author's intellect foresee the future happenings in a way. The present paper proposes to anthropologically study the feel of corporate life as portrayed in two works of fiction of recent times - If God Was A Banker (2007) by Ravi Subramaniam and Puppet on the Fast Track (2010)by Ilika Ranjan. The two works of fiction delve into the inside view of the multinational banks functioning in India. The narrative involves the day to day workings of sales, marketing, presentations and similar activities which infuse the office environment with an air of fast and furious competitive clashes. Post 1991, the boost which Indian economy got with the influx of multinational companies and banks, further proliferated the growth of what can be termed as 'corporate culture'. As an anthropological study , the present paper attempts to understand holistically the burgeoning multinational corporate culture in India and its interconnect with attitudes, mindset, values and mores of people who are part of it. While considering the debates revolving around seeing Anthropology as fiction and fiction as anthropology, the study of the two works mentioned above shall focus on arguments concerned with seeing fiction as representation of facts and discussing the link between the text and the reader.