Correspondence b/w a Reader & a Author : Shashi Tharoor


To the desk of -
Mr. Shashi Tharoor
The author of-'The Great Indian Novel'

Dated: 7thSeptember, 2015                              
Time: 1.01pm

Sir,
With an optimism of this reaching you, I write to you and that of your position as the author. I have just finished reading your aforementioned book and no, I am not asking you any questions or giving my opinion.

The last very few pages have put me in this state of delirium. But, I remember the first 400 pages and the story contained in these pages yet, maybe the forgetful mind is abstaining from asking questions from these pages.

Yudhishtir, at last is the hero, not Gangaji or Pandu or our very own VVji. I understand that.
But, he says and I quote- “I believed differently, and have paid the price of being defeated, humiliated, and reduced to irrelevance.”
Sir, what does he mean by this? I understand with regards to the story but, please tell me what does he mean to say. (In regards I am also using please instead of our Gen-X's plz.)

Sir, I have read your A Note on Dharma after about 350 pages into the book and once while writing this letter. My understanding of it is something complex yet simple but I think I don't need any more elucidation.

Also in the story, why does the beating up Duhshasan suggest Bhims involvement and why does it leave a trace of smile on Draupadi Mokrasi? After all, that incident of Draupadi's forced disgrace and humiliation occurred in you dream, VVji.

Sir, I have been a fan of history even if it got to me in the form of regulated NCERT books. The only regulation or, a panache I find here is the term FICTION written sidewise on the back cover near the bar-code.

I hope Sir, that you had your word with your friend Brahm. But to tell you, I won't have been dismayed at your retelling of the story, as Ganapathi was. Not that I have anything against the present one. And no, I am not asking for a sequel- that's preposterous.

Sir, it took me a very little time to write this and annoy you, with a little conviction from the voice of the mountain-top- “and he chose not to act”. I sincerely hope that you get annoyed and not your spam filters.

Sir, with utmost modesty, I think that I believe differently and I should continue to do so albeit the criticism or humiliation. Yudhishtir just made me startle and maybe reflect a bit.

Hoping that you wont recommend me a psychiatrist or maybe, do so.
         
        Thanking You

Yours (if not utmost but still) sincerely-
Hrishikesh Kayshap

THE FOLLOWING WAS HIS REPLY TO MY LETTER.



Yes, the reply is very brief considering my letter. But,Hello, mind the contents.
Furthur I replied with a Thanks  for writing back to me and with a Sorry for any shrewdness.

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