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The Unforgettable Woman | Pankaj Giri | Book Review

Written by Siddhartha Krishnan | 3 Min Read

As a new author breaking into the literary scene, one of the biggest challenges is to find your voice. Most of our writing is birthed out of what we have consumed as human beings. We are after all a product of our experiences. While as writers we try to be as original and honest as possible, we tend to subconsciously mimic what we have been influenced by, which may not be other writers necessarily. It could just be ordinary people we have met. This is not a bad thing. Imagination is a great quality but so is observation.

Neil Gaiman, in one of his lessons to young writers presses on the need to be brutally honest. But I’ve also heard him say that it’s okay to sound like writers who have influenced you. It often starts like that. He further says, “Let the bad words out, and the good ones will follow”. Eventually, he reckons, “You will find your voice”. This means that finding your voice is a journey.

Having read Pankaj Giri’s critically acclaimed earlier work, ‘The Fragile Thread of Hope’, I think it’s safe to assume that this is a new Indian author who is pursuing that journey. While his latest novel, ‘The Unforgettable Woman’ is a quicker read and departs from his earlier novel in more ways than one, Pankaj does stick to things that make his writing engaging.

Here, he chooses fictional towns in Sikkim to tell his story and explores the themes of love, regret, and forgiveness while touching upon several social issues. The two central characters in the novel are seemingly leading uneventful lives until ghosts of their past come to haunt them. It’s not that such themes have not been explored by Indian authors before. But here are some of my observations that set this author apart from other new Indian authors writing in this genre.

Character development – Just like in his previous novel, here too, the author chooses to dedicate each chapter to a character. He also chooses to journey between the past and present thereby creating a sprawling narrative. An improvement from his earlier novel that I noticed is how he has added several layers to his characters thereby making them more relatable. Whether you agree with them or not is a different discussion, but they aren’t black or white. There is sufficient conflict in the story to keep the reader invested.

Worldbuilding – This is perhaps the author’s biggest strength; his understanding of the culture that he was born into. To write a story rooted in culture is easier said than done. The devil is in the details, and it takes tremendous observation skills to make it authentic. The author has managed to bring to life not just the landscapes of Sikkim but also the mindscapes of its people in a fictional setting. The ability to understand what is unique to the world you have built is imperative to make it believable.

Dialogues – As new writers, we often falter in writing conversations. Effective dialogue writing does require technical prowess. It also comes with practice. I liked how the author through dialogue has been able to unravel the layers of his characters, their mindset, their beliefs, their flaws, and their courage. I liked also how he builds up tension through dialogue thus lending cinematic quality to the narrative.

Vivid Imagery – Often the trap that new writers fall into is to fill sentences with adjectives in a bid to make the narrative vivid. The reader ends up with a verbose prose that can cause an eye sore. In this novel, the language is simple, free-flowing, and effective. It also benefits from good editing. The words woven have been able to create the required imagery in the mind of the reader.

To conclude Pankaj Giri’s ‘The Unforgettable Woman’ is an effective novel that has well-etched characters and tackles important social issues. The book is evocative when it needs to be and the writing has cinematic quality. In case you are looking for a well-written book by an Indian author, give this one a go.

The book is available on Amazon. Link below –

Amazon – The Unforgettable Woman

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About the author –

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. He is also an enthusiastic blogger, and on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com), he puts out his articles, essays, travelogues, book recommendations, and film reviews.

by whatsonsidsmind

2023@Whatsonsidsmind | Travel | Food | Books | Movies

Hello Fellow Bloggers,

Created this short video promo to encapsulate all that I am planning for this blog in 2023. Hoping to be a lot more focused, active and creative this year. Looking forward to your continued support.

Regards,

Sid

 

Credits:

Music: Chill
Musician: LiQWYD
URL: http://www.soundcloud.com/liqwyd

Video created on – https://videoguru.page.link/Best

by whatsonsidsmind

Tilottama at a Glance | Book Review

Written by Siddhartha Krishnan . 4 Min Read

Before its chapters begin, the book opens with a quote by Pradeep Sarkar, director of the much-loved Hindi film Parineeta, which was based on a famous novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. He says, “Calcutta is beautiful. Wherever you place a camera, you get a vision.” I remember the director making this comment, 7 years ago, in a discussion with film critic, Anupama Chopra. You may hate or love this city, but what you cannot deny is that it is photogenic. The urban streetscape, especially in the older parts of North and South Kolkata, is mesmerizing!

Three generations of my family owe a lot to the city. My grandfather migrated to Kolkata in pursuit of a different life. My father, who has spent all his life there, calls it his home. As for me, it is the city which has given me a good education, and has moulded me. Kolkata is within me. I know a lot about it despite being an outsider of sorts, a Malayalee, from a small town in Kerala. So, when I read reviews of Tilottama at a Glance, in a Facebook group for bibliophiles (Readers Forever!), I asked myself—what am I going to get from it?

Despite the doubts, I took the plunge, and returned happy. I am going to tell you why.

This book to different people could mean different things. To a traveller, a handy guide, to someone who has lived or lives there, a memoir, and to a foreigner, a glimpse into a different culture. Thus, it serves many purposes. I was looking for something specific though, not having stayed in Kolkata for over 16 yrs.

I wanted a trip down memory lane, and to discover something new about the places and things that are known to me.

The introduction makes it amply clear, how the book came into being. Each chapter, to me, felt like an essay, an ode to the subject at hand. It gives enough without being over indulgent. It doesn’t pretend to be a chronicle of the history of everything about Kolkata, which would take a lifetime. Impossible to encapsulate in a single book. This honesty is much appreciated. In each chapter, the book offers little nuggets of joy to a reader, nostalgia for a city dweller, and requisite knowledge of a topic for a tourist. The author gets this mix and balance right.

The language is lucid, and the writing is crisp, making the book an easy page-turner. Quotes by famous people relevant to the topic discussed and anecdotes from the author’s own life adorn its pages. They help the storytelling considerably, and is the best part of the writing. The stories helped me relive my own experiences in the city, while the quotes helped put things into perspective. But I would have liked more of it. In fact, the author could have a been a little more generous with her personal stories, and the book could have easily done with a few more pages.

In the end, I got what I wanted from the book. It took to me to places I know of, both tangible and intangible. I remembered the distant winter morning at the Maidan, waiting anxiously with friends for a group to vacate one of the many cricket pitches. The addas outside Victoria Memorial sharing a bhel puri with my para buddies. And I held my dad’s finger once again to walk down the charming alleys of North Kolkata, with my jaws dropping, marvelling at the artistry on display during Pujo. These and many more beautiful memories came rushing in and flooded my thoughts. I also got a better understanding of the meaning of lyadh and the history of adda and why it is so intrinsic to Bengali culture.

Reading Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen was an enjoyable experience. I would like to recommend it to readers who want to know what Kolkata means to the people who love the city.

The book is currently available online on Flipkart (link below)

Tilottama at a glance: Buy Tilottama at a glance by Sreeparna Sen at Low Price in India | Flipkart.com

 

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

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by whatsonsidsmind

Book Review – Pyre | Perumal Murugan

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan . 3 Min Read

In Poonachi, it was a one-day old black goat, and in Pyre, it is the feeble and gullible Saroja. After I was done with it; I wondered why Perumal Murugan chooses such naïve and timid characters as his protagonist. Having read three of his novels, and upon some introspection, I found two reasons. One, that it helps him magnify the inequities and power imbalance, which is an underlying theme of most of his books. Two, and this is the more important reason, that this style of characterization serves him well, to ask questions to the reader, without really asking them. Like, what drives groups of men and women in positions of power to hurt such fragile creatures who cannot retaliate? Or, what is that animalistic trait within us that fuels this hate and drives us to madness?

That said, his novels aren’t just one thing. It is an emotional journey, always. At least that has been my experience so far. The people, cultures, places may not be familiar to me, and yet when I read about them, they seem miraculously tangible. He has this remarkable ability to help the reader inhabit the minds of these characters, and be one with the world they inhabit. Aniruddhan Vasudevan in his translator’s note writes – ‘His works invite vulnerability on the part of the readers and draw us into their rich details of life, landscape, ecology, and social life of a region.” I agree. In recent times, I can’t think of any other writer who has been able to do that to me. This process is meditative.

Pyre opens with Saroja and Kumaresen getting off a bus with the sun blazing on them. They are deeply in love. But they have a secret, that theirs is an inter-caste marriage. Trusting Kumaresen, the lighter-skinned Saroja has come along to his village, hoping that his mother and villagers would accept them, eventually. All she needed to do was to let him do the talking. His house is on a rock surrounded by barren land. The remoteness of the place is terrifying. She is from a busy town. The language of his people seems unfamiliar, as does their food. But it’s their gaze and constant mumble that alienates her. Kumaresan’s mother is scathing in her taunts. She sings a dirge now and then, lamenting the mistake her son has made. He is dead for her. It’s a crime that cannot be forgiven! Their hate is formidable against the love the couple holds for each other. Saroja gives into Kumaresan’s belief that he will turn things around one day. But is faith, love, and hope enough to survive?

The Pyre is tense. It’s simmering from the very beginning and rages on till it decimates everything. It offers respite only in places, and these moments felt like a traveller has found an oasis in the desert after days without water. The writing has cinematic power to keep you at the edge of your seat. But it is also lyrical, layered, and highly evocative. The title is apt, but you need to wait till the end to understand the meaning of it in totality.

There are three central characters. Saroja and Kumaresan, the lovers and Kumaresan’s mother, Marayi. Their backstories have been revealed in detail, but most of it happens when the characters go into a reverie. These episodes end with them harbouring several unanswered questions, which in turn are probing into the mind of the character. I found Marayi’s character the most interesting. You begin by hating her. But once her back story is revealed, you understand where her angst is coming from, although you do not agree with her actions.

Neil Gaiman, in his thought-provoking piece – “The Mushroom Hunters”, talks about the power of observation and how it is intrinsic to human nature to observe and find answers to our most important questions. It is the way of the seeker and the inventor. Murugan’s power of observation, for me, is his greatest strength as a writer. I remember reading a passage in Poonachi, where he describes how goats play and seduce a possible mate. I was stunned, because he wasn’t attributing any human-like qualities to these animals, and yet the details were mesmerizing, and I could fully understand what they were doing. You see this in Pyre as well when he describes the arid, rock-strewn landscapes, the rituals of the people, the contrast in cultures between communities, their language and mannerisms. The translator deserves all the accolades that have come his way for seamlessly incorporating these details into his translation.

Writers like Perumal Murugan are a rare species. Discovering his work has been an enriching experience for me, both as a reader and a writer. He has found ways to address the elephant in the room without the need to be scornful in his narrative. His deep understanding of the topics he chooses helps him tell his stories with empathy and grace. For that, he needs to be read.

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

All rights reserved by whatsonsidsmind.com

by whatsonsidsmind

Book Review | Sapiens: A Graphic History | Yuval Noah Harari

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan : 3 Min Read

If we ask the right questions, the chances of getting the required answers go up significantly. This is true for all human endeavors, including tracing human history from its origins to the birth of civilization.

I had read Yuval Noah Harari’s international bestseller, Sapiens – A Brief History of Humankind two years ago, and the questions he asked in it piqued my interest right away. Also, the way he answered those questions in a language that was previously alien to historians was exemplary. This newness captured my imagination like no other reading of history had done before.

But with this graphic novel adaptation, Yuval and his team have gone a step further. They have presented history through colored illustrations, quirky fictional characters, and witty storytelling. And in doing so, attempted to reach out to all sapiens of today, to tell their story.

The graphic novel series is expected to be of five-volumes, of which two have been published so far. Volume 1 – Sapiens: The Birth of Humankind, focuses on the origins of humans, the rise of sapiens over other animals, the footprints they have left behind and the cognitive revolution. It reimagines human evolution as a TV reality show, through a globetrotting adventure where characters (some real and some imagined) are out to find answers to important questions regarding our evolution.

While Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, was all Yuval, this graphic novel, is a collaborative effort. Renowned comic artists, David Vandermeulen (co-writer) and Daniel Casanave (illustrator) are the key collaborators, along with colorist Claire Campion. They take us on a breathtaking adventure, through forests, deserts, grasslands and remote islands, switching often between the past and present.

The story is predominantly told through conversations, i.e. questions and answers with the right dose of humor. A good example of wit in this graphic novel is when Dr. Fiction (who wears a VR device, always) takes us to 1913 France, to meet Armand Peugeot, the founder of the automobile company, Peugeot. She explains the role that fiction has played in our evolution, using the growth story of Peugeot as an example. The conversation between the two was hilarious as well as enlightening.

However, despite taking creative liberties, in terms of its core messaging, the book mostly sails on the raft of scientific evidence instead of paying attention to the opinions of Dr. Fiction. This lends credibility to what the book finally says. By the end, I felt I had returned from a globetrotting adventure across the world. I got a glimpse of the places where our ancient ancestors lived, the food they ate, the language they spoke and the stories they told each other. This, for me, is the biggest triumph of this book.

There are, however, certain questions the book does not clearly answer because of a lack of conclusive scientific evidence. When tracing the 2-million-year evolutionary history of a species, you are bound to find such grey areas. Here, the writers have presented circumstantial evidence, and then tried to add things up. Just like in the original, here too, they have ensured that for these grey areas, both sides of the argument are provided to discerning readers, allowing them to decide which side they want to be on.

For me, this graphic novel is a winner, because it cuts through the information overload, and presents a complex evolutionary story in simple language, while also ensuring that the storytelling is entertaining enough to appeal to all. I have never read history in this way before, and for that, this collaborative effort deserves all the accolades that have come its way. Now, I can’t wait to get my hands on the second volume of this series – The Pillars of Civilization.

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

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by whatsonsidsmind

Book Review – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan . 3 Min Read

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy, felt like a warm hug on a cold winter night. It had the magic of Julia Donaldson, the simplicity of Dr. Seuss, and the innocence of Roald Dahl. Yet, it manages to deliver something rare. I listened to the nearly one-hour long audible version narrated by the author, and for most parts, I felt like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. However, this is not a children’s book, although it looks like one. This graphic novel serves little nuggets of profound thoughts with humility, garnished with rare grace.

The story is about four unlikely friends who are in search of their ‘home’. They meet on the way and encounter some magical, some mundane, and some terrifying moments. There goes a saying that nothing comes into your life without teaching you something. This book echoes that thought perfectly.

At times, one could feel that the four characters could have been the same person at different stages of one’s life. Hence, the idea to tell the story through conversations was a great idea. This aspect of the storytelling reminded me of a book that I had read last year, Hermann Hesse’s—Siddhartha. The use of animals and fantasy also reminded me of the stories from the Panchatantra, Aesop Fables, and Arabian Nights, evoking nostalgia.

It is difficult to find faults in books like these, and that could be frustrating for a reviewer because our objective mind reminds us that nothing is perfect. While that is true, it is also true that very rarely do you come across a book that exudes empathy like this one does. It embraces everyone no matter what your beliefs with the same warmth. Therefore, it is not surprising that the book is so popular.

People are calling The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, a book for the difficult times we live in. Bracketing it into that category is unfair, I feel. I think this book will turn out to be a timeless classic appealing to generations after us. Moreover, humanity has been in crisis at several points in its history. And we’ve found ways to get through those difficult times, with kindness, reasoning, co-operation, and great storytelling.

I knew that the hardcover is adorned with stunning pencil sketches by the author, yet I chose to listen to the audible version because the story was narrated by the author himself. At the end of it, I felt I had made the right choice. I am not a big fan of re-creations of written words in a studio but this felt different. The author has narrated his words with the same passion that he wrote. That he has a great voice, was the icing on the cake. Hence, even without his beautiful illustrations—the river, the mountains, the storm, and the sounds of nature came alive for me. I could magically see what he had drawn. But I am still going to buy the illustrated version because this one is to be treasured. Also, this is a book that you will keep going back to.

Finally, there are books that stir—some evoke, others provoke, but this is meant to heal. This one stirs your conscience and makes you more accepting of the world. It should be read by all.

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

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by whatsonsidsmind

Book Review – The Nameless God | Savie Karnel

Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 3 Min Read

A lot can go wrong when writing a book that takes on a difficult subject like religious polarization and introduces the same to middle-graders. A certain kind of maturity is demanded from the writer to ensure that the story does not come across as being biased. It is here that I felt author Savie Karnel shined the most as a storyteller with her debut book “The Nameless God”.

The book takes you back to 90s India and into the lives of two children, Bachu and Noor who decide to create a God who listens only to them. It was this concept that grabbed my interest at first because I remember toying with this idea as a kid with a close friend. We eventually lost interest in that God, but these children were more resolute. Also, their God seemed more responsive than ours, when a miracle is performed the very next day—a holiday from school! However, what the kids do not know is that the holiday was declared due to the Babri Masjid demolition. Unaware that riots have broken out across the country, they go to thank their God for the miracle performed. What unfolds thereafter is what the book is all about.

The author invests sufficient time in the beginning, to set up the world, introduce the characters and gradually move to the point of conflict. When things turn for the worst, we as readers are fully invested in the lives of Bachu and Noor. This was well-crafted.

The language is lucid and consistent. There was nothing pretentious about it. Many times, especially debut authors get into the trap of making the prose beautiful and lyrical without a strong enough story to back the words. For me, as a reader that is deceiving. This is a book written for middle-graders with a clear purpose and the author achieves what she sets out for by the end of it. The use of humor to lighten the mood when things get murky was clever, especially considering the age group the book is primarily catering to.

There were some moments though where I felt that the author could have let certain scenes linger for just that minute extra to make them more impactful. To elaborate, several events unfold on one wretched night in the lives of the boys when they are caught in the crossfire, and each scene has a definite purpose and clear message. Several characters come and go, playing a small part in the larger scheme of things. Some readers may like this fast-paced writing while others may want certain powerful moments to linger more. This I don’t consider a flaw but more a matter of taste. Moreover, this could be an adult’s perspective.

From the beginning, we know that the book is going to end on a hopeful note. The progression to that ending did not feel abrupt, which means that the story is structured well. And I liked how that was achieved by the author.

I am a product of the 90s, and this story will connect with a lot of the 90s kids. Noor, Bachu, and the other characters of the book are people I know. There is a bit of me in these kids too and I felt that this is a book with a big heart, so it deserves to be read.

Link to purchase the book –

Amazon link

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About the author –

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. A mad dog lover, tripaholic and a tale-weaver who shares his essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).

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by whatsonsidsmind

Book Review – The Star Outside My Window | Onjali Q. Rauf

Written by Siddhartha Krishnan . 3 Min Read
Reading middle-grade fiction as an adult is a lot of fun. Even if the narrative is dark, there is an underlying innocence about the worlds and characters of these stories. Also, the fantasy and adventure in them evoke pleasant memories of our childhood. However, that was not the reason why I picked up ‘The Star Outside My Window’. I picked it up after reading a compelling review of it in a Facebook group for bibliophiles, and I felt that it would be a good way of introducing novels to my six-year-old.
From the review, it was clear that the book deals with a sensitive topic, that of parental death and domestic violence, and I was curious to know how the author had managed to convey these realities to young readers. But I was also jittery about the prospects of reading the same to my son, who hadn’t yet been introduced to the likes of Enid Blyton or Roald Dahl, and who hadn’t yet reached the reading age suitable for this book.
So this write-up is going to be as much about the book as it will be about my experience of reading it to my son. We had both decided to take it slow and read one chapter a day. I had decided not to over-explain, and censor only if things got out of hand. But the writing was so good that I didn’t have to censor anything, despite the odd moments of silence I had encountered when reading the murky bits.
In a week we were at the halfway mark, and for some reason my son got bored! I didn’t see that coming. He angrily put the book back in the rack once we were done with the 11th chapter. I couldn’t pinpoint what had put him off, and resigned to the fact that we weren’t going to read the book again. However, a week later he came back and reminded me that I had forgotten to read him the remaining chapters. I was startled by how nonchalantly he had passed the blame onto me for not meeting our agreed target for finishing the book. Anyways, we continued, and in 2 weeks we were done.
But the reaction from him after having finished his first novel was a bit of an anti-climax. It seemed as if he wasn’t impressed. Just relieved at finishing the book, made apparent by the ‘phew’ he let out before jumping off the bed to return the book to the rack. I left it at that. Thoughts flooded my mind – maybe the topic was too sensitive? Was I over-ambitious? Did I corrupt his innocent mind with dark thoughts? … I asked myself. It wasn’t until a week later that I got the answer.
His teachers had asked him to pick a person, place, animal or thing to speak for a minute for their “introduction to nouns” in class. Guess what he chose – a book, ‘The Star Outside My Window’. It’s only then that I realized that the book had actually made an impact on him. I was thrilled!
This was how Advay introduced the book to his class. “The Star Outside My Window is the story of two children Aniyah and Noah, who go on a road trip with their friends Travis and Ben on their bicycles, from their foster home to the Royal Observatory in London to name the newly discovered star after their mother. I really enjoyed reading the book and you should read it too!”
Let me add my two cents to his description. I felt that this book was an emotionally engaging read. We as parents generally tend to shy away from difficult topics which we deem unsuitable when choosing books for our children. But this book deals with the subject of parental death with maturity and finesse. The pain and suffering have been conveyed metaphorically, and the tenderness of the storytelling is retained throughout. The characters are well-sketched and the author gives them unique characteristics to make them easily distinguishable for young readers. This is definitely a book that you should gift your child.
Advay and I finished the book two days before we lost our dog. So the book took a different meaning for us. He was our first dog, and was with us for 13 years. That evening when we returned after his burial, my son asked, “Is Joshua going to become a star outside my window?”. I nodded.

About the author –

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

 

All rights reserved by whatsonsidsmind.com

 

by whatsonsidsmind

Siddhartha – Hermann Hesse | Book Review

Written by Siddhartha Krishnan . 5 Min Read

First published in 1922 (in German), Nobel prize winning author Hermann Hesse’s ninth novel Siddhartha is a book that has stood the test of time. I have heard a lot about this book over the years. It first caught my eye, as a teenager, when it was languishing in my father’s bookshelf, and I was being introduced to Buddhism in my history classes. Then I heard of a movie adaptation of it from the 70s, during my college days, which starred some famous Indian actors. And most recently it’s been popping up regularly on the Amazon page, which could be a result of my recent searches. Whatever it is, I can safely say that the book called out to me, and that I started reading it on the day of Buddha Purnima felt like divine providence. But after a bit of introspection, it was understood to be a conspiracy by Amazon.

Despite the divine calling, to assume that I have understood everything that the book had to offer would be foolish because a book on self-discovery, spanning a life time of its protagonist, is bound to mean different things to different people. Also, an understanding of what is being told will depend on the reader’s own life experiences and the stage of life the person is in. This could be the reason why I was hesitant to read it all this while. But this could also be the reason why the book is considered a classic.

It is difficult to review a book like this because you can’t really disagree with what is being said. Unlike other works of fiction, the truth isn’t blended or cloaked in something sinister or magnificent. It is said as it is, making it feel like a self-help book or a book of philosophy. Moreover, what is being said is so profound that you don’t have an option but to be an attentive student.

Written in a lyrical style, this novella is meant to take you on your own path of self-discovery through the journey of a brahmin boy named Siddhartha. Born during the time of the Buddha, Siddhartha just like his namesake, renounces his privileged life, but then goes on to live several lives; that of an ascetic, a rich merchant, a lover, an ordinary ferryman and a father before the great realization happens to him. The lyrical style suits the narrative because the writer is trying to find beauty in the suffering. It is through this road of suffering that the protagonist finds his enlightenment. The following quote from the book explains this point,

“I have experienced on my body and on my soul that I needed sin very much, I needed lust, the desire of possessions, vanity, and needed the most shameful despair, in order to learn how to give up resistance, in order to learn how to love the world, in order to stop comparing it to some world I wished, I imagined, some kind of perfection I had made up, but to leave it as it is and to love and to enjoy being a part of it”.

Like the above quote, much of the learnings are shared through conversations that Siddhartha is having either with himself or someone or something he considers dear to him. The prose is replete with metaphors and the pace is intentionally slow to induce a meditative state within the readers.

The Buddha’s story is a fascinating one. It resonates with millions across the world, and although our stories may not be as impressive as his, we do associate with the ideas of renunciation, detachment, transformation and self-discovery. These ideas are universal and timeless. And authors in the past and in the present have harnessed the power of this story to create their own remarkable works of fiction. Robin Sharma’s “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” and Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” comes to mind in this regard. However, for me, Hermann Hesse’s masterstroke, was to let the story unfold during the time of the Buddha, so much so, that Siddhartha even has a conversation with his namesake. This I felt not only made this story timeless but also credible to readers who wouldn’t otherwise be interested in philosophy.

This is a book that readers will go back to, as and when they have new and transformative life experiences, bitter or sweet. There are several quotes in this book that will take newer meanings as you progress in life. The quote that stayed with me at this point in my life was,

“Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom. It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.”

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

 

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Book Review – Poonachi Or The Story Of A Black Goat | Perumal Murugan

Written by Siddhartha Krishnan . 4 Min Read

Over the last ten days, every evening when I stared at the cover of this book, a feeble looking goat stared back at me with its innocent, marble eyes. It took me a while to understand the power of its gaze, but when that happened, I was shaken!

The story is set in a nondescript village in Tamil Nadu. One quiet evening as an old man watches the sun set over his village, a mysterious and unusually tall man, approaches him and gifts him a one-day old black goat. She is the seventh child of her mother, so delicate, that her fragility becomes a cause of wonderment for all in the village. The goat is therefore treated as a tiny miracle by the old man and his wife who do everything within their capacity to keep it alive. Thus begins the story of Poonachi, the black goat.

Poonachi, is a political novel that takes a look at society, it’s abuse of power, gender inequities, greed, surveillance and the resultant subjugation of the weak. But all of this from the perspective of a goat. As a result, comparison to Orwell’s Animal Farm or Kipling’s Jungle Book are obvious. But as testified by the scroll, in this story the animals are not sacrificed at the altar of allegory. This is what differentiates, Poonachi, from other famous works in this genre. The title therefore is conclusive – it is the story of a black goat, and all that we draw from the book as human beings is an accompaniment to that story. To understand this aspect better, it is best to quote an excerpt from N Kalyan Raman’s translator’s note – “As we track the destiny of this orphan goat, shaped by a force-field of humans and animals, we realise that the author’s real theme is our own fears and longings, primordial urges and survival tactics.”

However, the novel does resort to anthropomorphism (attribution of human traits, emotions, intentions on non-human beings) to make the animal characters relatable while also retaining their animal behaviour. This fine balance that has been struck in the narrative along with an eye for detail is an astonishing feature of the writing. Only a person who has a deep understanding of animal behaviour could have pulled this off. This, I am assuming has come from years of close observation.

The other commendable aspect of the storytelling is, how deeply layered it is? Every sentence carries weight, no word is wasted, and paragraphs often end with some message conveyed. The translation is brilliant, and despite the absence of Tamil words in the narrative, I felt that I was a part of that village. I may have missed some hidden references intrinsic to the culture but that does not rob me of understanding the perspective. Yes, it might take time for one to fully relate to the story, since it is written from the perspective of a goat, but that investment is surely worth it.

But the standout feature of the book, for me, is the tenderness of the storytelling. Despite being a political novel with a powerful message, the empathy displayed even while describing the most macabre moments mesmerized me as a reader. It helped me connect deeply with the characters and their journeys. Only a truly gifted writer can pull this off with such finesse. Through, Poonachi, I am now introduced to the genius of Perumal Murugan, and I am kicking myself as to why I had not read any of his books up until now?

Well, I guess there is a time for everything.

The book was shortlisted for the 2018 JCB Literature Prize, and I think it is best to end with the jury’s comments –

“Funny and warm, Poonachi is a book that forces us gently to look at ourselves and our contribution to an unequal world. Perumal Murugan is a master storyteller who reflects profoundly on our transactional society and its inequities and struggles. Through the character of the lonely goat, he has written a powerful modern fable.”

Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories. He is also an enthusiastic blogger and, on his website, www.whatsonsidsmind.com, he regularly puts out his essays, articles, travelogues and movie reviews.

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