Who is the author of the Indian novel "The English Teacher"?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks knowledge of classic Indian English fiction. "The English Teacher" is one of the well known novels by R. K. Narayan, set in his fictional town of Malgudi. Recognising Narayan as the author is fundamental for anyone studying Indian literature in English or preparing for competitive exams that emphasise canonical writers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The title given is "The English Teacher".

- Four options list authors associated with Indian writing in English.

- Only one of them actually wrote this novel.

- The question involves direct recall rather than calculations or interpretation.

Concept / Approach:
The conceptual link is between R. K. Narayan and his semi autobiographical novels. "The English Teacher" continues the story line of his earlier works and portrays the life of a young lecturer and his personal tragedy. By memorising Narayan's main titles such as "Swami and Friends", "The Bachelor of Arts", and "The English Teacher", a learner can immediately associate this novel with him rather than with other female authors who write in different genres and periods.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that R. K. Narayan is one of the three pioneers of Indian English fiction along with Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao. Step 2: Remember that "The English Teacher" is part of Narayan's Malgudi stories and reflects his own experience as a teacher and husband. Step 3: Check the options: Aparna Sinha, Bapsi Sidhwa, and Indu Sundaresan are contemporary authors but are not credited with this title. Step 4: Conclude that R. K. Narayan is the only correct answer among the four.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling that school and college syllabi often include "The English Teacher" under Narayan's name. Reviews and literary histories also present the book as a key part of his body of work. None of the other authors in the options have "The English Teacher" in their list of novels, so there is no conflict or overlap.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Aparna Sinha is not widely known for a classic novel called "The English Teacher".
Bapsi Sidhwa is a Pakistani novelist recognised for works like "Ice Candy Man" and "The Crow Eaters", not this title.
Indu Sundaresan is a historical fiction writer best known for "The Twentieth Wife" and related novels, again unrelated to "The English Teacher".

Common Pitfalls:
The main pitfall is failing to connect specific titles to Narayan because his works often have simple, descriptive names. Students may also confuse "The English Teacher" with general books about education by other writers. Creating a small list pairing Narayan with his key titles helps prevent such confusion during exams.

Final Answer:
The novel "The English Teacher" is authored by R. K. Narayan.