Bharathipura - U R Ananthamurthy

 I heard and read lot about U R Ananthamurthy but only after his  death I bought two of his books. Between Bharathipura and Samskara  I decided to read Bharathipura first just because its bigger in size.  I started reading this book when I was doing volunteering work for SEA games and finished it in two days.

First, the story looked familiar for me, may be because I have seen some movies or read some stories like this before. But the ending was something I never expected. Bharathipura is famous for its deity Manjunatha. Hinduism's rules and rituals are in place. Everyday life of the residence here revolves around the deity. Everything is decided by the temple and the deity.

An young landlord Jagannatha who returns after having his studies in England wants to bring revolution by taking lower caste people into Manjunatha temple. He believes God must be challenged and over thrown first before taking steps to make everyone equal. "I must take the Holeyaru into the temple. I must change the tradition of centuries with that one step. I must break Manjunatha. In the one new step the Holeyaru take, all of us will die and be born anew." His main concern is the lower caste and dark skinned Holeyaru people.They were never allowed to enter into the temple and they have their own deity  - Bootharaya who is an agent to Manjunatha .

The Holeyarus do not have any issue with that age old practise , they are used to it - Jagannatha could not understand that - " Beyond Manjunatha, beyond Bhoothraya, beyond the landlord, the merchant, the ascetic, they have the power to live in a secret inner world that no one else can enter; perhaps they're not even aware that they do. Their world has its own shrewd structures."

This book explores the social and political tensions during 70's  along with personal relationships - both social and  sexual. One can wonder where is the revolution takes place is it in Jagannatha's head or outside? "This is all I have to say, Jagannatha. Do you really love the Holeyaru? If you love them unconditionally, you'll be one with bird, beast and chandala and become an ascetic. There'll be no question of any conflict whatsoever; no need for a revolution". The contradicting expectations of Jaganantha about his personal life and others are the highlight of this story. Though he accepts his girlfriend's decision to sleep with his friend but he could not accept the anonymous letter which states that his mother slept with someone other than his father.  He tries to reason the possibility of his mother sleeping with someone and could not take it further.  Though he was shaken but rises up and carry on his work.

This story is allegory of Indian society which is ready to open up but hold back by faith and believes. The author being Brahmin, knew the role of caste played in their life. One cannot forget Chikki, Sripati Rao,Raghava Puranik, Pilla  and Nagamani. Many of the scenes in this story will remain in our memory for long time - when Holeyaru touches Saligrama - the holy stone and when Ganesha uprooted the statue from the temple and throw into the river etc..

A must read Indian classic.