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 3rd 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”.
This is the book that should be read by every
Kannadiga out there. The book makes each Kannada speaking person proud of their
culture, language and their history. The amount of research that went into this
book is inexplicable. Dr. M. Chidananda Murthy, a great human being and a research scholar
has painstakingly compiled this book after doing years of research and
arranging it in a chronological order. I have always admired the author for his
stands on the various issues apart from his writings. He is one of the highly
respected personalities in Karnataka and in India.
Coming to the book, it is definitely not an easy read.
Reading a research book requires great deal of patience and an open mind to
accept the ideas put forth in the book. It is definitely not a fantasy tale. The
book mainly captures the greater Karnataka that existed before the Independence
of India and before the partition. As we go through the book, we will realize
that what a great culture that we belong to. It is also imperative that none of
the so called research scholars in present day have the zest to do this kind of
research on their language and culture.
Greater Karnataka, as we speak of today, is not the
Karnataka that we see in today’s map. It includes the whole part of
Maharashtra, parts of Andhra Pradesh (including the Telangana) and parts of
Tamil Nadu, Goa, and few parts from the Madhya Pradesh and to some extent
Gujarat. Author has presented his research facts point by point. Thereby,
giving us a clear picture of the boundaries of the greater Karnataka since 7th
Century CE. We will come across many examples ranging from the languages that
we use in present day Karnataka and the language that became an influence for the
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa etc… during yester years.
Quoting several language examples and the common words
that belongs to Kannada and how it became the inspiration for the other
languages to adopt Kannada and developed their own dialect and language is a
fascinating read. The main examples from the Telugu, Konkani, Tamil and Marathi
languages and how their origin of the language is greatly dependent on Kannada
is a must read from the book. Not only were the languages, even the cultural
beliefs and practices adopted from the Kannada speaking people in other states
is a true testimonial of how dominant was Kannada during those times. It is quite
clear from the book that, the southern parts of the India were greatly
influenced by Kannada language, cultural practices and beliefs.
The first part of the book mainly concentrates on the
research that author has done on the Maharashtra and the languages like Marathi
and Konkani and how these are originated. His research includes many myth
shattering events that present day Maharashtra or Goa people will not be able
to digest. The book also explores the caste influences on major communities
like Mahar, Danagar, etc… also the chief deities of Maharashtra like Tulaja
Bhavani, Khandoba, Kollapura Lakhsmi, Pandarapura Vithoba and how these gods have
the roots originating in Karnataka. The greatest personalities like Gnaneshwar,
Nannideva of Marathi origin have spoken extensively on the importance of
Karnataka and Kannada in their writings. Author also mentions the present day
tussles of Maharashtra and Karnataka on the border dispute. He also mentions
about the Mahajan Report that
studied and settled the border dispute and village sharing between Karnataka and
Maharashtra. Currently, this was challenged by the government of Maharashtra in
Supreme Court and the case is pending. These things can be read in greater
details in the book.
The 2nd part of the book speaks about the
epitaphs (Veeragallu and Masthigallu) of the Karnataka and the excavations
found in the depths of Maharashtra and other states. The story behind these
stones engravings is a treat to read from the book. Veeragallu is a stone
engraved in the memory of a male person that has sacrificed his life to his
King in the battles, in averting robbery and protecting their village or town.
The stones speak about the bravery of these persons. Whereas, Masthigallu stone
engravings belongs to the brave women that has sacrificed their lives for their
husbands or to their villages. Masthi is a condensed form of “Mahasathi” in
Sanskrit. Those days, following the Sathi system was not a compulsion, rather
it is a self declared practice. Women folks would enter the pit fire of their
dead husbands and self immolate them in order to prove their loyalty, chastity
and love towards their husbands.
The final part of the book is an important research
work that describes the influence of Kannada and Karnataka outside India. The
book speaks extensively on Nepal and how Nepal was ruled and preserved by the
Kings that has their roots in Karnataka. Author gives us an example of the
dynasties like “Jangam” and other such families that originated in Karnataka
and ruled Nepal for several centuries. As a mark of this, Author has given us
ample amount of stone engravings from different temples in Nepal that has
Kannada inscriptions on them. The chief priest of the Pashupatinath Temple of
Nepal is a southern Indian Brahmin that belongs to the Shankara math of
Southern India. This practice of appointing the chief priest from Southern India
has been running since the temple was built. The legend says that, a Brahman
from South India who conducted the proceedings of worshiping the Shiva during
one of the Kings tenure in Nepal and that’s the practice ever since.
Words are short to explain how important this book is.
There are many such research records that prove the influence of Karnataka and
Kannada pan India and outside India like Nepal. It is quite difficult to
include everything in this review. I would highly recommend every Kannadiga to
read this book at least once in their lifetime to feel proud of their language
and culture. Author’s anguish is evident in few pages, where he expresses his
concern regarding the non availability of the research scholars that can take
up this work and give a logical end, since, Kannada influence is literally
unlimited in India and rest of the world. I hope his wishes come true in
future.
Ruskin Bond, the name is enough to go and grab the
book. The stories that he chooses or writes are pleasant always. Since my
childhood, I’ve always been a big fan of Ruskin Bond. Being a thriller fan, I adore
each and every story told by Ruskin Bond. It is always a special feeling to
read his books.
The Perfect Murder is a short story in the book also
the title of the book. The book also contains several short stories from various
acclaimed authors like Arthur Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins, Edgar Allen Poe and
WW Jacobs. There is also a story written by Ruskin Bond. The book consists of
eight different stories.
The very first story is the Perfect Murder, where two
brothers Paul and Henry would wait for an opportunity to kill their aunt, so
that they can inherit the property left by their uncle, but only on the
condition that, the property would reach these brothers only after their aunt
has passed away. Given the financial condition of the Paul and Henry, they were
not in a position to wait that longer. Henry, a married man with four children,
wasn’t able to meet the demands of his family, and he often finds himself
borrowing money from his brother and his close friends. Whereas, Paul,
unmarried, and wasted himself by drinking and roaming around. One fine day,
Paul decides to meet his aunt and pretends to fall sick in her home. A generous, well behaved aunt takes Paul in and provides him the necessary food and medicines
time to time. This hasn’t gone well with Henry and he decides to meet his
brother Paul and take matters in to his hand. Paul agrees to his brother’s demands
and asks him to get fine grained glass powder so that he can poison his aged
fragile aunt. Henry does the needful and waits anxiously for the following day.
But what followed is a shell shock experience for Henry, as he learns that,
instead of his aunt, his brother Paul was found dead in his aunt’s house by
consuming the glass mixed food. This story will surely keep the readers hooked
to the book till it gets completed.
The other story which I liked and enjoyed is the Red
Headed League by Arthur Conan Doyle. This particular story involves an
investigation by the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his doctor friend
Watson. The story is epic in its own accord. The sharp observational skills of
Sherlock Holmes and how he helped a distressed pawn broker who was cheated by
his employer. The quick wit displayed by Holmes is a well known phenomenon of
Arthur Conan Doyle. For sure, this is the story where you will be reading again
and again to appreciate the intelligence of Sherlock Holmes.
One more story written by Ruskin Bond himself was
about his uncle that murdered a person by poisoning. This story captures the
ill motives of his uncle even after he got released from Jail. His uncle tried
to poison Ruskin when he visited him. This story was repeated in Ruskin Bond’s
other collected stories in other books. But, quite a good story to read.
This book is a nice collection of the light thriller
genre stories. The book is an easy read and you can finish reading this in a
few hours or a day to the most. You will certainly appreciate the taste of
Ruskin Bond that made this collection of some of the interesting stories in
this book. Though it is not a recommending read, but to re-live your childhood
by reading some epic stories collected and penned by Ruskin Bond.
My Rating:
4/5
Note: I received this book from the Publishers in
exchange for an unbiased review.
