The Great Indian Novel: A Review & Why you should read this book?

A Dazzling marriage of Hindu myth and modern history.

Author- Shashi Tharoor

‘They tell me India is an underdeveloped country….’

The author, before the beginning gives us an hasty note of disclaimer that the name of this book is not on the basis of it being great, nor is it authentically Indian or much of a novel, but takes its title from ‘The Mahabharata’, its primary source of inspiration. In Sanskrit, Maha means great and Bharata means India.

But, me after reading this book, have to say that ‘Great’ is a right estimate for its contents. Said to be ‘A Work of Fiction’, this story is an reflection of our modern history, our country and Hindu myth, its gods and the characters of history merged with the heroes and villains of our epics. The result of this is a fine woven tale, entertaining, humorous and witty. The versions of the events of history altered in this book are humorous yet reflective. One of these is ‘The Great Mango March’.

One particular witty moment was when VVji proposed to tell about the birth of the Pandavas, and told Ganapathi  not to expect a seat besides Kunti's bed. And yes Ganapathi is me and you is Ganapathi, at large.

I have been a fan of history, even if the masses of our generation find it boring and a vocation of remembering dates. The only source of primary history we get are our textbooks- those regulated NCERT books. So now, if you are history and politics aficionado –or- if you dozed through most of your history and political science lessons, this book is a must for you. It will refresh your memories and provide information in the most witty and clever way possible- through a beautifully written story.

The book left me some questions unanswered. Maybe it will leave you another array of questions. Mine was more of an ethical dilemma, yours will have to be your own.

The narrator is Ved Vyas, known with regards as VVji, narrating the story to our very own Ganapathi, who agrees to pen down this story on one condition that our narrator should not pause in his dictation. The initial chapters give us a medieval version of ‘the longest epic in the world’, and gradually the story moves to India’s modern history. The book delivers us every bit of ‘the’ epic and history in a downright readable, entertaining way.

Coming to the story, Ved Vyas, a veteran with the Kaurava Party begins narrating the story with the meeting of his parents, a fishermen’s daughter, Satyavati who goes on to become the Queen of Hastinapur and the great sage Parashar.

And the story follows with much fanfare as ‘The Mahabharata’ and later divulges into Gangaji’s exploits. The character of Gangaji is our very own - you-know- him.

One particular query from the book which I haven’t reached a conclusion on, till date, is to, why an incident that happened in VVji’s dream, has its consequences (very justifiable) in the real world. Even though, I have kept in mind the bit of superhuman and godly prowess of the settings of the story. If you have an answer, I will be happy to hear from you.

If you know even a bit about The Mahabharata and a bit about Indian History- which I am sure you do, this book will be and entertaining and simple yet brilliant retelling of all that in an amalgam of sorts which will thrill you as it has thrilled me. If you have no idea about any of that, this book is and will be brilliant work of fiction, which will leave you amazed.  I will not divulge any more of the story as by now, you may already know what to expect. But, to remind you if this book was only an abridged version of ‘The Mahabharata’ it would have been called so.

Also, as I have failed to mention, the book reveals our conundrum of ethics and values as consistent with the characters. It in a small way gives us lessons even if you are up for this being a work of fiction.

I have sincerely liked this story and yes, the book in the words of the Late Khushwant Singh, “Perhaps the best work of fiction written by an Indian”.      Many people may disagree, justifiably, compared to the great works of fiction which have carried Man Booker’s to Indian shores, but this particular novel first published in 1989, has been highly commended and praised because it is a class of its own. The book is a masterpiece and is eligible to be called a classic of Indian writing.

I strongly recommend this novel, to all Indians and also to my fellow people of the world and beyond, if you are reading this.

‘Every sane Indian should buy a copy of this book’- Indian Express

 

 

P.S- Any suggestions, reviews, your point of view or criticism is welcome in the comments below and will be held in regard. You can also mail me at hrishikeshkayshap@gmail.com

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