Book Review #37: Naayi Neralu By Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa

A book that speaks about reincarnation and occult science. I think, this book is an example of what actually a reincarnation means. It speaks about Karma, the way of life. This book explains in a tone where modernists shall out rightly reject rather than discussing it. What is Karma after all? SL Bhyrappa explains this rare terminology in this short book that spans over 160 pages. The title of the book "NAAYI NERALU" can be translated to english as "DOG SHADOW".

A child (Kshetrapala) at the age of 3 started saying things that are totally irrelevant “I am married; my wife’s name is Venkamma. I have a child too”. Probably, these statements from a 3 year old don't in any way indicate that, this kid is planning for a con job in 15 years down the line. Then what is this? Has some devil spirit possessed in that little kid’s body? Or, as the author writes, he is a reincarnation of a man (Vishveshwara) that died 18 years ago.

The book begins with the plot that reveals an engrossing tale in future chapters. Does everyone have to finish his duties as per his birth? If not, does nature allows him to take rebirth? Author had brilliantly imagined the symbolism here, a dog, that represents the Karma of a man. We all know, Dog follows his master no matter what comes as an obstacle. The same way Karma follows every living being on earth. This is depicted even in Mahabharata as well, when Pandavas were entering the heavens in their last moment; everyone fails except for Yudhistira and his dog. Here, dog is just a representation of the Karma that indicates the good or bad deeds of a man.

In this novel, Kshetrapala (the re-born Vishveshwara) enters the house of Acchannaiah, his father from previous birth along with his dog. The dog doesn't have any name as such in this novel. When Acchannaiah’s own dog was skeptical about this new dog that has just entered the house, it never reconciles to its presence in the house, but the local dogs in that village was in acceptance mode, though showed some resistance in the beginning. This particular dog of Kshetrapala plays an important role in this novel.

There are some weird stories that you may read from the novel. This Vishveshwara (now reborn as Kshetrapala) often gets reminded of something is incomplete in his birth. As the story reveals further, you get to see that, Acchannaiah had cheated a monk by stealing his gold ornaments, replacing it with the iron duplicates. Here the story takes another turn that actually brings us to the 1^st birth of Vishveshwara who is none other than the same monk that gets cheated by Acchannaiah. Readers cannot believe these stories where a person reincarnates 2 times to finish of his karma. But, that’s the crux of the novel.

There are few sub stories of a monk that stays in the temple of a hill station, who often advises the local villagers regarding Karma, Moksha (Salvation), etc... Achyuta, the grandson of Acchannaiah, a college student and did not believe in all this re-incarnation stories. Achyuta, who believed that Kshetrapala as a con man and decides to lodge a police complaint and puts his re-born father (Vishveshwara) in jail for 7 years.  Venkamma, the wife of Vishveshwara, was in total dilemma whether to accept this reborn person Kshetrapala as her husband, who is actually 18 years younger than her. She suffers the most throughout the novel. Her own son, Achyuta admonishes her for accepting this new person (reincarnated person) as her husband. He mocks his mother in front of everyone.

Whether to believe in such occult stories or not is entirely up to the readers. As a novel, it strikes the chord with the readers by raising important questions regarding these reincarnation beliefs. This novel is particularly works a specific theme that you will certainly enjoy while reading. There are few village practices that author tried to bring up in this book, mainly, the grama-devathe (the village goddess) that answers people's questions in the form as a possessed priest. Acchannaiah recalling his tale that he has kept to himself for many years is one of those revealing acts from the novel, which actually gives a complete picture of the novel. Yet, there is no happy ending. But, that’s acceptable, since it is not a fairy tale to end in happy climax.

Overall, this book can be read once. A movie by the same name “Naayi Neralu” has been directed by Kannada’s renowned director, Girish Kasaravalli who made several changes to the existing characters that gives a new perspective to the novel itself.

My Rating:

4.5/5