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Rage
Thrown out of the family home, Lakshmi learns Bharatnatyam and blossoms under the tutelage of "Mami", Venkateswaran intensely portrays the guru-shishya tradition and the dedication of the young pupil of Bharatnatyam. Lakshmi rises to be a`A0dancer of much repute and is wooed by the ageing actor Muttu. The writer gives an apt description of the larger-than-life actor and his fan following. "The crowd reacted spontaneously and with admiration, clamouring and like his children his fans could not be bothered with niceties. Their acts of deference were simple, they untied their turbans, shook of their slippers as if outside a temple, and unfurled their casually tied lungis. Some prostrated with alacrity."`A0 Though Muttu has a wife living, he goes through a sham marriage ceremony with Lakshmi. As many actors do, Muttu joins politics and Lakshmi is forced to throw in her lot with him. The author offers us a real life picture of the murky world of films and politics. As the book proceeds, the readers are introduced to a myriad of characters—the conniving Sundarapandian, ever ready to please Selvamani, stoic Ragini, Mohana Devi the endeavoring bureaucrat. With Lakshmi campaigning for Muttu, elections become more glamorous and the reel life hero becomes the Chief Minister of his state. The election gimmicks portrayed by the writer act as an eye opener keeping the readers engrossed. As one of the characters remarks on the prohibition policy, "it will appeal`A0to all the women. It’s only a manifesto. You know better than anybody here that not everything in it will be implemented." The writer adds humour to story as he describes the "yes saar" and "bleedy fools" conversation of the sycophants. As Muttu’s career as a politician progresses, Lakshmi learns the ins and outs of politics. An unexpected accident leaves Muttu paralysed and Lakshmi is transformed into the "Amma" of the party. Venkateswaran has written a taut story that pulls the reader along. Like a keen chessmaster, Lakshmi plays the dirty game of politics. The cat and mouse tactics of the politicians are enlightening. She uses her Italian connections to build a concrete jungle in her state, with an attempt to replicate the Silicon Valley. The novel delves into the psyche of people with unlimited power and provides a good insight into the fickle-mindedness of the masses. As fate would have it, Lakshmi’s past catches up with her in the form of Mayilkannan, whom she sees as her nemesis. Mayilkannan pens down verses and mobilises the people to fight for their rights. Venkateswaran has painted a very correct picture of the clash between politicians and bureaucrats and its repercussions. The novel has no surprise elements, but it gains momentum as it progresses. Lakshmi falls from the very pedestal where she had so lovingly been placed. As the rage consumes her, it is left to the reader to see, whom she will destroy. Rage is a riveting novel that addresses a whole deal of social and economic issues—the sad plight of displaced farmers, role of NGOs, urbanisation and its effects, etc. It showcases the writer’s literary skills and proves to be a good read. This very contemporary novel is appealing and readers get a peep into the life of those who wield unlimited power. |
SET in
Southern India, Rage is Balaji Venkateswaran’s debut novel. It
is the story of Lakshmi, a child born out of wedlock to a Brahman mother
and a Moplah father. Gifted with unusual intelligence and the beauty of
an "apsara", the protagonist is raised by her grandmother. At
a young age, she learns never to reconcile with anyone who hurts her.
Evading the eyes of the nuns at the boarding school, transgressing all
class and caste boundaries, she returns home with a child.