Book Review #108: Grasta By Karanam Pavan Prasad

Title: Grasta

Author: Karanam Pavan Prasad

Publishers: Concave Media & Publishers

Genre: Metaphysics/Philosophy/General Fiction

Pages: 143 (Paperback)

Source: Personal Copy

Hindu philosophy also known as “Darshanikas” in Sanskrit reveals us a great deal of information on life, birth, death, love, sex, family, personalities, etc… and, there is Quantum Physics that explores the vast and bounds of universe with relevant experiments and theories. A book that combines the ideas of these two in a story is an attempt that requires a great study in those subjects. At least enough homework should be done before even attempting such a feat.  

Karanam Pavan Prasad, a promising and talented young writer bridges that gap by writing some marvelous stories that even the young generation are much in awe of his talents. Grasta, this is his 3^rd novel. He has surpassed his reader’s expectation by writing an extraordinary novel. This book combines the ideas of Metaphysics, Philosophy, Darshanikas, Quantum Physics, and Electricity etc… But, we definitely cannot term this as a science novel; neither can we term this as a philosophical novel too. This book stands in between. The thin line of separation from Science and Philosophy is what makes this book as a class apart.

The book is gripping from the very first page of the novel. The gamut of emotions expressed by each and every character is a treat to read from the book. The book takes us in a journey of two generations. The main protagonist of the novel is Avinash, an Electronic scholar, more than that a truth seeker. He is a common man by his birth, individual by his attitude and scholar in his own accord. He is engrossed in social, scientific, philosophical and personal aspects of his life. He is kind of a person who doesn’t get excited by the happiness and doesn’t feel a sense of remorse when something bad happens.

This book shows us the life in reality. Life, as in reality is not what we have seen in movies or read in some romantic novels. Life is full of struggles, yet we love the way we live and make the best out of our abilities. The protagonist in this novel expresses his concern, his ambitions, his future plan and how it became the otherwise. Avinash didn’t hail from an affluent family. His family background is one of the hearts wrenching stuff you read from this novel. Growing up in a family where death seems to be easier option that to survive. His parents didn’t had the best life because of the inter caste marriage.

As we read further into the book, we will get to read the tale of Avinash who rose from the ashes. He has built himself an identity by the help of good people that didn’t let him go astray. Now that he has a steady career but to enjoy his success, his parents are not alive. That’s kind of another struggle. Throughout the book we will realize, life is not what we aspired to be, instead life is what happens when you’re busy in making plans for it.

Rekha is another protagonist or I can say antagonist to some extent, enters the life of Avinash in the most unexpected way. This particular event makes Avinash question the life in many perspective, the reason being, should be read from the novel, and I am not going to include it in the review. Cheated by her boyfriend and her impotent husband drew Rekha towards Avinash. But her dubious plans remain intact till the end. Once we will realize what kind of woman is Rekha, we will sure feel pity for Avinash. He has done no fault, but still he agrees to the demand of Rekha and starts to live with her. Their relationship is one of a kind. He became her husband without marrying her. Became father to her child without even realizing. That’s where the novel hits like a storm. What is life? What are relationships? What are life goals? Is family is just a social agreement? Does every faults of a person become zero when living under a family? What is birth? What is death? What is the reason for man’s survival? These are the questions that haunts even after finishing the novel.

Though Avinash had a successful career as an Electronic Scholar, a PhD to his name, and big fat bank balance, he missed something deeply even any kind of relationship wouldn’t fulfill. He longed for the answers beyond the realm of life and death. He tried to find those things in his electronic experiments. He longed to build a system that provides electricity to the instruments without being wired. This is somewhat related to the Nikola Tesla’s futuristic ideas. But deep within, Avinash wasn’t satisfied with his life. He was cheated by his own people. The one person whom he respected throughout his life, at last, cheated him and brought him to a family circle which he legitimately didn’t belong to. All these events made Avinash become more and more introvert and in the end he just stopped looking for answers and took life as it came to him with open hands.

Overall, I feel these kinds of novel needs more traction from the audience. A serious readers like me, would definitely like to see such author reaching new heights. The author has every capability to make a mark in the literature world. His research and the stronghold on the subject have made this novel as an epic read. I would highly recommend this novel to be read by each and every one. The caption of the book put me in a thinking mode, “Birth is not important; the result of the birth is”.

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #94: 31 Miles:Can we ever win against ourselves? by Vinita Bakshi

Title: 31 Miles: Can we ever win against ourselves?

Author: Vinita Bakshi

Publishers: Rupa Publications India

Genre: General Fiction

Pages: 220 (Paperbound)

Source: Advanced Review Copy by Publisher

There are certain epochs in one’s individual life where it takes a substantial twirl and the whole thing happens so fast that one cannot fathom the rationale or judgment behind it. And undoubtedly, it poses some vital consequences when this happens in the middle of the life. The book “31 Miles” precisely narrates the midlife crisis of a woman who has lost a sense of control over some events that has changed her entire life.

The protagonist of the novel is a middle aged woman, Manasa, aged about 40 years. Growing up in a traditional orthodox family left her no choice but to give her consent for an arranged marriage at a young age. Now, she is well over 40 years, blessed with two beautiful daughters Malvika and Shonali and an ever loving husband, Abhijit. She considered herself as a regular Indian middle class home maker with the sole intention of taking care of her family and giving the best of her abilities to keep everyone happy. She grew up with no concerns whatsoever. But, an ill-fated episode made her to lose trail of her life and go into deep crisis which occupies the next part of the novel.

Sitting at home doing mundane tasks made Manasa to distaste her life. One day she decides to join a cuisine course. There, she befriends some affluent people that changed her perspective towards life. She now considers establishing her own company that specializes in the nutritious food, new food recipes and everything related with food. In order to keep herself in this advanced technical world, she learns computer and most significantly she decides to make her presence in the social media world. She opens her account in one of the popular social media websites and to her surprise she sees many of her childhood friends. One among them was Rajan Chopra. Though she was quite familiar with that name in her memory, she couldn’t relate this person to any of her childhood friends. Within few days, Rajan Chopra introduces himself as Manasa’s elder sister classmate and befriends her on social media. Slowly unanticipated events started to unfurl between them.

Rajan Chopra, the strange character from the novel starts to communicate more candidly with Manasa. He started sharing couplets, poems and Bollywood songs with Manasa to win over her. This is the important part of the novel as far as I can see. Now, readers shouldn’t judge the protagonist as too naïve and pretentious that falls for a guy at this age. Manasa never experienced this kind of admiration even from her husband. She felt surreal to hear Rajan’s swaying words every day. As the days progressed, Manasa was absolutely immersed with this outlandish man. She started to develop feelings towards him.

In a general sense, befriending strangers online is not advised. Teenagers at present are the most affected people. So, what would possibly happen when grownups, who are new to this social media circle, that doesn’t know the consequences it would have on their life, befriends strangers? Things can get hideous if they start interacting with them. There can be many appalling experiences. Our protagonist exactly faces the same experience in her life.

The next stages of the novel are the main part which I am not including in this review. 

Manasa became too emotionally involved with this man and she started to feel culpable towards her husband and daughters. Was she able to meet this mystery man? What was her thought process when she decides to meet him in person? Was this man as genuine as he appeared to her in social media? Was Manasa ready to give up everything to get back to this person? What happened at the end? Has everything become normal again? To know the answers, read this book.

Overall, the book is quite impressive. As a debutant author, Vinita has done a brilliant work. The language is simple and narration is lucid and engaging. The best part of novel is the emotions expressed by the protagonist Manasa. You can vividly capture those moments while reading. Personally I felt that the novel is bit stretched. It could’ve been reduced by 20 to 30 pages. Apart from this, the novel is quite brilliant and I enjoyed reading it.

P.S: There is a sequel to this novel coming up in future!!

My Rating:

4/5

Note: This book was given to me by the publishers in exchange of an unbiased review.

Book Review #84: The Bestseller She Wrote By Ravi Subramanian

Title: The Bestseller She Wrote

Author: Ravi Subramanian

Publishers: Westland

Genre: General Fiction/Thriller

Pages: 300+

Source: Personal Copy

Reading the thriller genre books adds an extra layer of expectations from the story. Having read The Bankster from the same author had kept my hopes further high and took up this book to read. As the author himself says, this is the first time he is penning a romantic thriller genre novel and I will give the benefit of doubt to the author. But still, Author Ravi Subramanian was left with no choice but to use the same Bank as his prop for setting up the novel. Few authors couldn’t think beyond their home turf I would say. Anyway, coming to the book, it is an easy read kind of book. Broken in to nearly 85 small chapters adds the required pace to the book and you can very well read it in few hours. Language used is quite simple and the narration is good.

Aditya Kapoor a successful fiction writer of the country, who is also an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, comes there to give a talk or speech. An unexpected argument with a girl called Shreya from the audience regarding selling the book as a product, where Shreya had a differences of opinion with the author. The argument led to the intersection of the lives of these two in quick session. After reading a book of Aditya, Shreya becomes a huge of him overnight. She emails him about how his book has changed her perception of him and how she felt silly to argue with the best author of the country.

When Aditya, who is also a successful banker again goes to IIM Bangalore for placements, coaxes his friend cum colleague Sanjay (the HR head of the bank) to hire Shreya. She was hired to the bank and as expected a close friendship develops between Aditya and Shreya. Shreya who was also an avid reader and an aspiring writer, gets help from Aditya to publish her work or as the title of the novel goes “The Bestseller”. Whereas, Aditya, a middle aged married man, with a six year old son, finds himself attracted to Shreya. Thus begins an extramarital affair between both of them.

Few sections in the book could’ve been really avoided considering the audience that this book will be reaching. The book certainly adds the thrill factor to it. But, what is the necessity of an erotic part? I am still thinking, what has author achieved while he described how Shreya’s buttocks or boobs looks like? Or How the Aditya gets attracted to Shreya’s physical features than the actual love that they both thought in reality? Things like these could damage an author’s reputation instantly. As per the author, the famous fiction writer in the country, do not know how to write an erotic scenes in his novel? (What a downfall?). The disgusting part was when Shreya helps Aditya on how to write an erotic scene in a practical way? And that too by keeping an audio recorder that records their wild moaning during the act? (Author certainly needs some introspection here). I am sure this section of the book reminds the readers about 50 Shades of Grey.

Each character in the novel seems to be lacking in moral. Aditya, a successful writer and a happily married man and also a person who had an extramarital affair, finds out that he loved his wife Maya only when she falls sick, and that too after sleeping with Shreya? Shreya on the other hand was an avid reader and an aspiring writer and is all ready to get her work published either by hook or crook? To the extent of sleeping with Aditya and then resorting to blackmail? Sanjay, a college buddy and now colleague of Aditya, who is also an avid reader and has a strange habit of not letting anyone to touch his books, who stands by Aditya’s side always, but turns out to be a conman? Apart from these characters, the rest of the characters were given less prominence. I had expected more from Maya’s character. But, let us agree that this is what the author had imagined.

The narrative is rife with the things that are unnecessary or unbelievable. The love scenes are put in such a way that, it was not all required to go to an extent that, how Aditya unbuttoned Shreya’s shirt or how he pulled her panties or how Shreya unzipped Aditya’s trousers and feel and touch of their reproductive organs is quite uncalled for. The funny thing is, Aditya now stuck in dilemma on how to resolve his love-life crisis, finds out that, his “beloved” wife Maya is suffering from Ebola. Are you serious? Showing Maya on critical illness would’ve sufficed a lot. But, bringing the “Ebola” into the picture was not needed.

As is the case in every other romantic novel, Maya does gets cured of Ebola and the climax revelation will feed Maya regarding the emotional side of Aditya and how “courageous” was her husband. Just because he accepts his illicit relationship with Shreya on an open podium could melt the heroine’s heart (Where are those feminists?). At the end, as everyone expected, Shreya went on to become a bestseller for just one book. Guilt ridden Shreya, who thinks, because of conning and blackmailing Aditya had psychologically damaged her writing brain and she couldn’t continue to write. On the other side, Aditya, having lost everything and gaining back everything (including his lost wife) lives happily ever after.

I sincerely hope that the first romantic thriller experiment of the author becomes the last experiment of him. I loved his other writings but not this one. This could’ve been shaped up really well, had the author not followed in the footsteps of Chetan Bhagat (Oh yea, there is a reference to CB as well in this novel). A soon to be a biggest motion picture in the Bollywood!! Well, I am definitely not looking forward to it. Period.

My Rating:

2.5/5

Book Review #25: Tantu By Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

Yet again, I am here to give you all a review of Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa Sir's another magnificent novel Tantu. Tantu can be meant as "Links" or a much sophisticated close meaning as "Relations". This book reveals the various facets of a life and how the bad decisions can affect one's own life and their surroundings. I can say, this book is more or less similar to Anchu in terms of the characters, feelings and relationships are concerned. But still, it makes altogether a different impact on its readers. Much have been talked about the capabilities of Dr. SLB sir and his magic while creating a psychological view of every character.

Tantu is a journey of individual souls that judge things from their own perspective. The protagonists are mere mirror image of a modern society. The reality is, Tantu captures the minute details of a person that you and me see in everyday of our life. This book is a fight between, honesty, bravery, cunningness, illicit relations, upbringing kids in the right way, money, meditation, music, school, government, politics, politicians, journalism, etc, etc..

Spread across 900 pages. This book captures many stories that are interlinked with each other. Author had brilliantly connected each story to the next and previous one in order to achieve the full effect. A complete package of a typical Indian life in a typical India during the time of Indira (the then prime minister of India)!!!.

There is no single protagnonist in this novel. Each character has the same depth of a protagonist range. A Resident Editor of a popular english daily Mr. Ravindra, who sticks to his principles and known for his honesty and integrity. A shrewed woman, wife of the resident editor, Mrs. Kanti, who is least cared about living the life in a right way, she rather believed in living life in all possible way. And, a teenage son of this couple Anoop, who falls in the wrong companionship of wealthy kids, and starts to steal things from his school, steals money from his dad's pocket. Later stage of the novel witnesses Anoop being convicted by police, when raiding a brothel cum nude dance bar.

The story revolves around these main characters. But, the other events and stages of the novel feels as important as these 3 peoples. As the novel further goes, Mr. Ravindra came to know that, his son is going in a wrong direction. He decides to get him admitted to a different school, that runs on the principles laid down by Mahatma Gandhi. The speciality of this school is, it doesn't take any support from the governmental agencies, even, the teachers are mostly celibate and they stays in school forever. The vivid description of this school must be read from the novel itself. Here author introduces us to the scene, where Mrs. Kanti was not at all happy about getting her son admitted to a school in a faraway village. This event had led her to have a spat with Ravindra.

As the novel further goes, Mrs. Kanti decides to go to her hometown for her father's birthday. But, she decides to stay there forever. Reason being, she meets one of her childhood friend, Mrs. Sheetal, who works in external ministry department. She gives Kanti an idea of starting her own cloth export business, for which, Kanti agreed instantaneously. Later events, proved that Kanti grown as one of the successfull business tycoon.

The real twist in the novel appears now. In Anoop's school there is a music teacher by the name of Mr. Hemanth Honnatti, that left his high paying job and decides to pursue his career in sitar music and runs away from his house and was practising in Anoop's school. Fortunately, Kanti knew the parents of Hemanth, she decides to meet him and persuade him to go and meet his parents. As the events unfolds, Kanti realizes that, she is attracted to Hemanth, she slowly shows her intersts in him, for which, Hemanth reciprocates equally. Within no time, their relationship had grown beyond imagine and they started seeing each other almost daily.

As the novel approaches towards the end. Anoop had joined an engineering college to pursue his engineering. Here author tries to explain the grave realities of the problems of a young adult, who is curious enough to try his hands at relationships, but not adult enough to sustain those realtions. Anoop tries his luck with many female students from his college. He also visits brothels, that leads to him in a bigger mess in the later stage of the novel. Finally, he decides to pursue his career in USA for an administration degree in Business. Here, due to Indira Gandhi's emergency declarations in the country, Ravindra decides to quit his resident editor job as he feels that there is not enough room left for fair, honest practice for journalism. His newspaper investors asked him to not to cover any governmental decisions and to stay out of reporting those things. This was the phase, that whole of India was in ultimate shock by witnessing the dictator style of governance from Indira Gandhi.

In climax, Ravindra will come to know about the illicit relationship that his wife Kanti had with Hemanth. He tries to question her, but he gets admonished from Kanti. Even Anoop knows about her mother's illicit relatioship, for which, his mother tactful response makes him silent. Here Kanti had grown out to be a good successfull business icon, but, failed as a wife and a mother. She had suffered a massive heart attack and passes away in isolation. Ravindra was put behind the bar for writing against the Indira Gandhi's government, Anoop marries his girlfriend and decides to stay in USA. The final scene marks, where Ravindra and few other were shouting slogans against the government for its decision to arrest common people. This marks the end of the book.

As though my review seems to be long and very simple. It's not the case, I didn't even revealed 20% of the novel in my review. It is such a huge novel, and it is difficult to write a conclusive review after all. It exposes those persons that lives in each one of us who are after material desires than relations and responsibilities. As we witness in this novel, Kanti failed as an honest wife and a loving mother. Anoop failed as an honest son, Hmeanth failed as a trusted friend, Ravindra failed for being an honest man!!. Their relationships or TANTU with each other seems to be just on the papers, and it has broken long ago.

We all must appreciate the hidden meaning in this novel. Don't just think it is a work of fiction, it gives all of us some lessons on how to maintain our relationships. If we go behind just material desires, our relationships, for sure, goes in a different direction. We wouldn't even realize it. By the time we realize, this TANTU or RELATIONSHIP will be beyond the stage of repair. A must read for everyone.

My Rating: 
5/5

Book Review #24: Anchu by Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

This is yet another masterpiece novel by my favorite author, Professor, Thinker, Philosopher Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa sir. It is amazing to think that, how he could possibly be able to capture such thinking and ideologies under a single book. Then it struck me like a jolt, this is the theme of all Dr. SLB sir's books. No wonder, the immense feeling I got while reading this book is beyond explanation.

This is a profound book, making the readers to go beyond the material relationships and arrive at a conclusion. Detractors can always bang their head against the wall, but, they can't deny the fact that, this book makes everyone, literally everyone, to think for a minute or two about their own lives.

This book mainly revolves around only 2 persons. Though there are other filler characters for the sake of the novel, readers are not much bothered about those characters. The protagonists of this novel is enough to carry out the story. This book is certainly unputdownable. It takes the readers on a ride, the psychological ride that anyone could imagine. It takes only a man like Dr. SLB sir to write such books.

The plot of the novel introduces us to the main protagonists of the novel. A well educated woman, Dr. Amrutha, a Ph. D. scholar and a lecturer in a college. Though she had a good job to support her, psychologically she is a woman of suicidal tendencies. She was deceived by her own family members, by her husband and her aunt. By their dubious coup, she lost all her properties and she was thrown on the road along with her two small kids Vijay and Vikas. She and her kids lived alone in the house that was left by her father years back.

Another protagonist of the novel is Somashekar, an Architect by profession, who is well settled and came to Mysore from Mumbai in search of expanding his Architect business. He is good at heart and an honest person, but, he is too weak to express his feelings. That leads him to a bigger mess in his life. Having lost his wife and a daughter, and a failed relationship in his mumbai days, he had no plans of another relationship and was quite happy with his job.

The phase that connects these 2 protagonists is a situation, where Dr. Amrutha calls Somashekar for an urgent repair of her house. He finishes of this repair job and finds himself attracted to this woman. She also had the same feelings towards him. As the story continues further, these two persons were found out that, they love each other and finds a new ray of silver lining in their respective lives. Their love story continues just like any other love stories. But, her suicidal tendencies and mood swings makes both of their lives difficult at many stages.

Author had brilliantly imagined the psychological imbalance state of Amrutha. She is happy at sometimes and in split seconds she gets this immense feeling of loneliness. Everyday she decides to take her life and writes suicide notes and takes her revolver and heads to a hill station and within no time she decides not to do so. These events had made her traumatized everyday. Somashekar feels that, he needs to take care of her and he supports her in every possible way. He changes his timings of work just to be with her. At some point in the novel he was succeeded in changing her mind to concentrate on future rather than taking life.

There are few stages in the novel, where both of them quarrel and decides not to see each other again. Later, they finds their lives are even more empty and dull, which leads them to concile again. As the story further reveals, Amrutha finds out that she is carrying the child of Somashekar. For which, She felt very guilty and again she decides to take her life. But due to the intervention of Somashekar, this plan was failed. Later, she decides to get aborted and still she finds her life pointless, aimless and meaningless.

As the book reaches its climax, Somashekar encourages Amrutha to file a lawsuit against their Aunt and relatives to take back all the properties that was belonging to Amrutha. Also, he gives timely suggestions on how to handle this case. Amrutha slowly recovers from her traumatic stage of her life and finds a new hope for her life. She fights the case with all her might and wins the lawsuit against her aunt and relatives. As the climax approaches, Somashekar feels that, he should marry Amrutha and accept her two kids as his own kids. For which she agreed.!!

The story seems very simple and straightforward. In reality, it is impossible to express how does one feels when someone was deeply wounded psychologically and how their behavior will affect their loved ones and surroundings. This is the crux of the novel and one should read it to experience it. Readers are hard pressed for words to describe the state of Amrutha and her waves of thinking in the book. It is best not to mention in this review. Overall, a must read book, it actually changes one's behavior and thinking.

My Rating: 5/5

Book Review #18: Mandra By Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

As the monsoon picks up in Southern India. Having a good enthralling book along with a cup of coffee for the evenings would be a perfect match!!. Good heavens, It was just a straight jackpot for me. I started to read this novel "Mandra (novel)" and went into a trance. Just read few pages per day to savour the writing flavor of my favourite writer Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa. 

The title of the novel "Mandra" can be literally translated to english as "Lower Octave". You guessed it right, this novel is fictional story of a famous Hindustani Classical singer Pandit Mohanlal. This book is all about his experiments with Classical Musics, Raga's and his beloved students or rather I can say disciples and close intimate encounters with all of them.

If it is just for a normal musical fiction novel, it wouldn't have been awarded with India's one of the Prestigious Award Saraswati Samman in the year 2010. This book is beyond the music that touches everyone's soul. It is a spiritual journey, as well as profound. The readers would be certainly spellbound after reading this, just like me!!. Detractors always finds one or other reasons to malign SLB sir for his works. This book was not spared after all. They went ahead and called this novel as an erotic novel!!

The plot of the book is very simple. Mohanlal, a boy from Haridwar, studying music in his Guru's Omkarashram. Having a thought to achieve more in music, he runs away from his Ashram and finds his place in Mumbai. Initial struggle, disappointment, anger, dissatisfaction, etc... that made Mohanlal as a budding classical singer of the town. He earns lots of money, name, fame that he has never seen before over the years, at the same time, he started to teach classical music to students. However, Mohanlal has one weakness, he can't control his desires for women. He often indulges in sexual activities with his many female students. He used to call his favorite students with the names of the Raga's that best matches with them.

As the story introduces us to the younger days of Mohanlal, Author introduces us to a king, a master in classical music that never taught any students in his lifetime. Surprisingly, agrees to teach Mohanlal by observing Mohanlal's interest. Here also, despite learning every minute details of music, his hunt for female has never stopped. He indulges in sex with one of the workers in the King's court called Chunni.

As the novel progresses further, Mohanlal marries a village woman Ramakumari, and soon enough he loses interests in her and starts to find a new partner. Then comes Champabai, a well learned female, who agrees to marry Mohanlal, from there on, his music journey takes a different height. He always wanted to achieve more and more in music, at the same time, he wanted to taste more and more woman. This is the dark side of the Mohanlal in this novel.

If I start giving more details of the novel, the book loses its grip. It's better I stop with this much and mention only the important sketch of the novel. The story takes us to a point, where, Mohanlal loses interest in his 2nd wife as well and runs behind a Classical Dancer, Manoharidas, to Delhi. Here also he gets cheated by Manoharidas or rather, He cheated himself for many occasions. He heads back to Mumbai. He involves with the same sexual activity with one of his brightest student Madhumita Sha, which led her to divorce her husband.

This is the journey of this entire novel. Mohanlal, despite going to unimaginable heights through his music, he was always found himself in more trouble than merry. This is mainly due to his weaknesses for women, women and more women. He often convinces himself that this is expected for an artist. As the story takes its leap towards climax, Mohanlal, now, Pandit Mohanlal Ji, loses interests in all his music once and for all. He decides to visit every place and person, to confess his mistakes and heads back to Haridwar to find solace. This calls the curtain of the novel.

The plot of the novel that author has chosen requires lot of knowledge on Hindustani Classical Music. As the author claims in the preface itself, he knows most of the Hindustani Classical Music and its intricate details. Though the story is about common city dwellers. The details of Hindustani Music, the Raga's, the detailed notes of particular swara's like Kalyani, Bhairava, Ahir Bhairava, Mohana, Kaafi, etc, etc... is a great take away from the book and its a treat to read.

Readers should not have any prejudice or any orthodox thoughts while reading this book. You may feel at times, like, you are reading an adult, erotic novel. Leave those thoughts aside, just bask in the glory of Hindustani Classical music and its specialities. I recommend this novel to everyone. I am sure, those who have already read this novel, knows the real deep meaning of this novel that the author tried to portray here.

My Rating: 5/5

Book Review #4 - Kavalu By Dr. S.L.Bhyrappa

KAVALU (CLEFT)

Before I begin the review of this book. Let me put it straight-forward, according to the major critics and some of his loyal fans "This book is not one of the major works of Dr. S.L.Bhyrappa". Main reason being, the subject of the novel that the author took in this book, is entirely a contemplation of everyone's modern day-to-day life of Indians. And, this book depicts those society that is populated with a coward, timid people.

The primary argument that the author was trying to portray in this novel is about the feminist movment that has raked up in recent years, and misuse of the laws by these "so called" feminist activists to harrase a major portion of the male population in the name of domestic violence, dowry, etc.. This book hits right on the face with reality that this country is going through at this moment. That may be the best reason why even some of the ardent fans of SL Bhyrappa is not able to completely digest this novel. Rather, they were disturbed at the thoughts and questions raised in this book. This reality is in a pure need of introspection among the masses. If you ask anyone the subjects covered in this novel, instead of accepting the grave realities, rather they will go in a defensive mode and pretend nothing is wrong with their family system.

What began as a movment in post-independent era of India for bringing gender equality in the name of Feminism agenda. Today it has taken a deep turn and used as a last resort for exploitations, torture against innocent male popluation. I am in no way support of domestic violence, I am just articulating what author is trying to bring out the issues.

The introduction to the novel itself is quite disturbing, a big industrialist Mr. Jayakumar was arrested on the domestic violence charges and was put behind the bars. Later it got revealed that, the complainant is none other than his own wife (2nd wife) Mangala, who was an active feminist.

Mr. Jayakumar was an example of rags-to-riches in those days. Married to Vaijayanthi a supportive female who helps Jayakumar to build his industries and held a responsible position to develop it. They had a daughter Puttakka. It so happened one day that, Vaijayanti and Puttakka met with a severe accident and result of which their daughter had sustained serious head injuries and became mentally challenged for rest of her life. Whereas, Vaijayanthi is dead.

Now, author explains how Mangala became wife of Jayakumar. Mangala was appointed as a personal secretary of Jayakumar in his business. She seduces Jayakumar with her paegent beauty which lands Jayakumar to invite Mangala to have a sexual contact with him. This illicit relationship was going on for a while, later it got revealed that, Mangala is now carrying Jayakumar's child in her womb. This was a blow to Jayakumar, since, this relation was just on a mutual consent and neither of them agreed for marriage. Later, Mangala forces Jayakumar to marry her, otherwise, she will stage a protest against him and bring down his reputation. Locked with no other choices Jayakumar marries Mangala.

One must understand what the author is trying to say here. Though they were married to each other, their marriage life never took up on the path of happiness. Infact, Jayakumar was always repenting for his decision to have a sexual relationship with Mangala. Being a feminist from her college days, Mangala, never accepted anything that her husband used to insist. Daily they used to fight over petty things. In one such incidents, when Jayakumar was helping his mentally challenged daughter for dinner, Mangala abused Jayakumar that, he has a sexual desires for her 14 year old daughter. This is where the novel takes it twist.

When author tries to bring out the college days of Mangala, he introduces a character "Ila". She was the lecturer of Mangala. Studied in England, she returns to join this college as a lecturer on social studies and reforms. In no time, Ila became the favorite person of Mangala, due to the feminist thoughts of Ila on various issues. Infact, Ila went a step ahead and asked her students (especially female students) to participate in one of the forums where they discussed about having sex before marriage. She insisted that, sexual desires are equal for both men and women, and one shouldn't have a fear or something to talk openly about this. Listnening to all this speeches, Mangala was so enthralled and decides to become an active feminist in future.

During this time, Author brings up one more character, Prabhakar who is a fellow student in her college whom Mangala was in love with. They were the most talked couple of college, since, their love relationship is known to each and everyone in college including lecturers and professors. It so happened that, Prabhakar indulges in an unprotected sexual contact with Mangala one day, and later when Mangala found out that she is carrying Prabhakar's baby. She insists Prabhakar to marry her. Prabhakar declines marrying her and rather suggests her to get an abbortion. Mangala brings this issue infront of Ila her lecturer, Ila also suggests Mangala to get abborted and break her relationship with Prabhakar. Also, she encourages Mangala that she has done no wrong and it is just nothing but desire and she should not feel herself sorry for doing this. This is breakthrough in Mangala's thoughts.

Author SL Bhyrappa also introdues the family of Ila. Ila was married to a successfull professional Vinay Chandra and they have also have a daughter Sujaya. Even Ila tries to dominate her husband on all issues and decisions. Due to this Nagging wife, Vinay Chandra thought of separating from her and gets his job transferred to Delhi. He insists her to change her job and move with him. He already knew her decisions, and when she said she can't come and neither she will be sending her daughter with him. Vinay Chandra moved alone to Delhi and visited his daughter once in every 3 months. Being separated from Wife, Vinay Chandra has been involved in having sexual contacts with Call Girls. Here the Author brings up the main causes of the breakdown of marriage.

Even Ila, having separated from her Husband, though she decides to leave her job and go and join Vinay Chandra in Delhi. Her feminist ideologies stops her from doing so. She thought herself that, "Why only female's have to adjust everytime. Why can't he quit his job and search for a new job in this town itself.?". This is the case with majority of the population of India today.

Years have passed, and now Ila's daughter Sujaya is already 18 years now. One day, she finds out her mother Ila having an illicit relationship with a minister of the town in her own house. Horrified at this incident, Sujaya not dared to ask her mother Ila about her acts. But Ila herself, one day reveals that, she needed a partner who will satiate her sexual desires and she tries to justify it by saying that, Vinay Chandra is also having relationship (not one, but many) with call girls. And, she openly says to her daughter Sujaya that, she is already 18 now and she can have her own relationship with a person whom she likes. And, advises that, safe sex should be practiced. Having understood everything, Sujaya decides to move out from her Mother's house and calls her dad and explains everything and she moves into a Hostel.

Later Vinay Chandra files a divorce from here wife Ila.

Here Mangala finds out Prabhakar again in one of the Feminist meetings in the city. It brought down all her memories down the lane. Then she decides that, rather than living a dead life with Jayakumar, it is good to get separated from him. She befreinds Prabhakar again, and, their relationship beguns to grow day by day. She invites Prabhakar to her house when no one is there and indulges in sexual activities. Mangala one day forces Prabhakar to marry her and she is ready to divroce Jayakumar. Even this time Prabhakar declines and says this was a mututal consented relationship and on top of that, he is happily married now and he cannot have a second wife now.

Jayakumar's mother is another important character in this novel which is introduced much later. A woman who speaks of the strength of the values that she has found in living in a hard life through her entire years. The twist in this novel appears, when Jayakumar's mother visits him in Jail and finds out that Mangala is sole responsible for this entire fiasco. She says "He is my Son, and he needs me now". This is the right discousure on the other side of the novel.

The other small character which appears in the novel is Nachiketa, Jayakumar's elder brother's son. Who lived in USA and lost everything and returned empty handed to rebuild his life. Even his story reveals that he was the victim, who was abused by domestic violence laws. An young man, migrated to USA, at first lives-in with a white woman, who walks out this live-in arrangement within 2 years. He then falls for another elderly white woman who is a mother of two. She traps him in a marriage and grants him freedom when he agrees to pay everything that she has demanded from him. In the end, he marries Jayakumar's mentally challenged daughter Puttakka to start his life afresh.

The male protagonists in this novel Kavalu is of a mere symbolic representations and nothing much importance given to these characters. Mr. Jayakumar being shown as a sober, socialist person who wants to get in the good books of society. But, lacks courage to encounter his personal exploitations from his own family members and he stood gazing at his personal downfall. Whereas, Vinay Chandra a sophisticated professional ubran lad, who doesn't hesitate to manipulate the things that he wants either by hook or crook. And lastly Nachiketa, a loser who lost everything abroad and returns pale to start his life again.

Overall, the two stories that is emerged in this novel is disturbing and dangerous. We have often created lot of Mangala's and Ila's in our society in the name of feminist agenda. Both of these 2 characters fails to understand their family bondings and kept their personal agenda atop. Ila, not only fails to understand her daughter Sujaya personally. Whereas, Mangala, inspired by the Ila's personal conviction about feminist ideologies kept every step in wrong direction, which failed her in every relation that she had.

One must understand, why people with their eyes tied blind, albeit sincere to their ideologies are rigid by the very same ideologies. And live their life in denial and always seeks an opportunity to blame other people for their current situation than to introspect a bit.

Despite a total tragic end of both the families, every male character in this novel tries to bring back their family together and tries to fix up their shattered love life relation. Failing to do so, Jayakumar after getting separated from his wife and completing his tenure in jail, starts a new consulting business with the help of his elder brother's son Nachiketa, who married Jayakumar's daughter Puttakka.

The readers of this novel needs to create a picture of their own according to his/her own beliefs, mental positions, character, imagination, sophistication and a profound expirience. For most of the people this novel can't be digested soon, they need to re-read entirely to understand their social stands.

My Rating: 4.5/5