Varanasi

Genre- Fiction

‘ENGAGING’

"Deeply touching and reflective, Varanasi is a revelation –of despair, of loneliness, of life."

Varanasi

    By M.T.Vasudevan Nair

       Translated by N.Gopalkrishnan

A novel by Jnanpith laureate M.T Vasudevan nair , who is among Kerala’s most popular scriptwriters and directors of mainstream cinema. Originally written in malyalam is translated by a well known writer and translator N. Gopalkrishnan. The author provokes readers imagination to follow him throughout his narration .

Sudhakaran, the lead character, narration takes path through his recollection of past memories on his visit back to a place late in his life -- VARANASI, where he spent his golden period of life being  young. The city reminds him of everything that it stands for – dharma & death.

 INSIDE BOOK

This 189 paged novel is short and non linear , taking the reader through the beautiful and godly atmosphere of the city, various different beliefs and devotions, salvation ,lust and tricky commerce. It comprise of 6 segments with various small chapters.

Flipping the pages, you will see some heart warming lines used by the author. The one imprinted in my mind –

“Some friendships and affections stay on in the knapsack of life like gold coins that never loose their gleam.”

INSIDE STORY

The book will take you to the experimental  life of narrator , running form village to town, town to city and city to city. Now the city is Varanasi, reminding him of the past , his friends, the women he loved, the losses he had and realizing the fact that he cannot run to hide from the consequences from his own actions.

You can enjoy a wonderful narration and a smooth shift between the various characters and their life. Throughout, this novel will keep you engaged .Though not something which will feed you with excitement  but will definitely  provide  peace , allowing you to understand the aspects of life—loneliness ,old age, love, death and most importantly the memories from past.

Narration

Readers who really enjoy the simple yet deep style of narration will love putting their hands on this beautiful book. Those who crave for some exhilaration and interesting climax will not find it worth a read but spending a little time to know Sudhakaran’s life will do no harm, my dear bibliophiles .J

Winding up, I recollect author’s words --

"However much a man may run, where is he going to find a place to hide? Where is such a place ? Hasn’t the Thathagata said, “not in heaven , not in depth of the oceans, not in the crevice of the mountains will a man find a place to hide from the consequence of his own actions."

 

HAPPY READING J