Samskara - U R Ananthamurthy

Another classic from U R Ananthamurthy.The highlight of this book is the brilliant story telling, though at some point  felt like watching a movie.

The story starts with the death of Naranappa who was the odd one out in that agrahara. He was man of his own ways never mind to follow the rituals and traditions. He was a non-bramin in brahmin agrahara. Praneshacharya, scholar and priest is exact opposite to Naranappa. The duty of arranging the final rites for Naranappa falls on Praneshacharya. He has to decide what and who will do it. Garudacharya and Lakshmanacharya the two close relatives of Naranappa are not willing to spend money to do the rituals.Praneshacharya, though married he remains celibate but takes great effort and care of his wife Anasuya. He became popular by defeating rival clan in the great debate and called 'crest jewel of vedic learning' .

According the the Brahmin belief one should not eat anything before doing funeral rites for the dead. Praneshacharya makes sure no one in agrahara eat anything. No one is willing to do the funeral rites. Chandri , a low caste women who was with Naranappa comes forward with her jewels to Praneshacharya, and ask the men to do the funeral rites.The hell broke loose , Garudacharya and Lakshmanacharya urged by their respective wives vying for the gold argued about their relationship with Naranappa . Praneshacharya have to decide on whom to do the rituals and whether to allow another Brahmin community to do it or not.

Praneshacharya waited desperately for the god’s favour, His solution. . . . “How can I face the people who have put their trust in me?”—he said, mortified. . . . He tried to persuade [the god] Maruti: “Don’t you think that it’s my test. Keep in mind the rotting corpse.” Maruti, unhearing, unyielding, stood there, His profile turned forever towards the mountain on His palm. . . . Listening to his gentle grief-stricken voice, Chandri suddenly overflowed with compassion. . . . As she bent as if overcome with grief, she didn’t quite fall at his feet. Her breast touched his knee. . . . The Sanskrit formula of blessing got stuck in his throat. As his hand played on her hair, Chandri’s intensity doubled. She held his hands tightly and stood up and she pressed them to her breasts now beating away like a pair of doves.

The author wonderfully brings the contradictory views of the society on various topics , also through various minor characters highlights the hypocrisy of the people in the name of religion ( The greedy nature of Garudacharya's and Lakshmanacharya's wives..etc). In case of Dasacharya hunger overcomes everything including religious beliefs.

After his encounter with Chandri ,fear of villages discovering ,he left the agrahara and goes out of village in search of new identity.The scriptural knowledge clouds his mind, he wanted to come out of it and live like a normal man. Though he decided to have new life , the fear of going back to old life lingers throughout his journey.

"Though Narnappa left Brahminism, brahminism did not leave him"

The above lines indicates the problem with that community .The books  bring the Brahmin community of 60's in front of us with their belief system and day to day activities.  So many questions arises about defining Naranappa's life. This story made me to think about many things and I'm still thinking. That's the triumph of this book.

The writing is fluid and sometimes poetic, the translator did a good job.A must read Indian classic.

Kannada movie adaptation  :
Part -1
Part -2