The article examines the situation with Russian literature in India. The author shows how it evolved through late 20 - early 21 centuries. In the Soviet era both classic and modern Russian literature was very popular in India. Translations into vernacular languages as well as low price made them available for broader segments of society with literature for children being extremely popular. The author mentions that a whole generation of Indian children grew up with Soviet literature. They still warmly remember these books. The article points out that after the USSR had dissolved and book shipments had stopped Russian literature in India began to be forgotten. Nowadays most modern Russian books reach the South-Asian country in form of translations into English published in the West, and in vernacular languages only classical Russian literature (works of Chekhov, Tolstoy, Gorky) is periodically published. The author points out the problems, which are mainly connected with the processes of translation and publication. The positive tendency of Russian books coming back to India is mentioned. The author also highlights several initiatives aimed at promoting Russian literature in the South-Asian country.
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