Holding up a mirror to social evil
Reviewed by Kanwalpreet

When Faith Turned Red
By Sharad Pagare. Rupa. Pages 300. Rs 295.

Sharad Pagare seems to be inspired by his surroundings to pen his thoughts. The theme of this novel is based on the gross injustice prevalent in society, which perhaps moved him to focus the people’s attention on the factors that either make society a better place to live in or a place where a few exploit others for petty interests. This novel is inspired by a news report about the pitiable condition of devadasis in south Karnataka. The author discusses the nexus between the men in authority, be it the policeman, the politician or the temple priest. The aim of these people is the same—greed for money and power and exploitation of women. In pursuit of the former two, women become the victims, the target of all frustration and lust.

The devdasi system has been a form of exploitation of women for long in Karnataka and in its neighbouring states. The people know about the custom practised since ages and yet are quiet. As Lalitha, a devdasi, comes as a witness against one of the protagonists, Srini, the judge inquires as to what she was doing in the priest’s room at night. "Lalitha’s face was red with shame. A meaningful smile flitted across the face of the honourable judge and the persons present in the court. The women in the court too smiled shyly. Lalitha answers, I was there to serve him (the priest)’." Blind belief of the people in religion and all its practices, and too complacent to protest!

Pagare has cleverly woven the unfortunate tale of devdasis with that of the Naxalite movement. While narrating the story, he delves into the causes behind the Naxalite movement. He writes about the pathetic condition of the tribals who are exploited by one and all. Leaders, police and social workers fail to address their grievances.

Surendran and Latika, students from affluent families, get sucked into the Naxalite movement, shattering the dreams of their parents. Latika’s life reflects the life of children neglected by parents who try to compensate their absence by over-indulging their children with money. Surendran’s father, a university professor, on the other hand, starts living Surendaran’s life, not letting the young lad think for himself. And the result is—attraction to a life where his own thoughts and his own success win him accolades.

Bhushnam, the Naxalite leader, epitomises the struggle of the common man. From a poor background, Naxalism, for him, is the answer to wipe off all that is corrupt. "Power flows from the barrel of a gun" is his motto, and his oratorial skills attract bright minds like Surendran and Latika to the fold. "The People’s War Group" is his family, and he knows no life outside it. Till the end, he brushes aside the love of Lalitha, succumbing to it at the end only because of his bullet wounds.

The most involving narrative is of the life of Srini. He is the nephew of Narayan Swami, the temple priest. Swami’s decision to groom Srini as the future priest of the temple does not augur well in the long run. Srini is educated by his master Chandresh Shastri within the temple precincts, but the former is not oblivious to the wrong practices.

Shastri, who can distinguish between the right and the wrong, but being poverty-stricken is at the mercy of Swami. Srini watches all the happenings unfold as a bystander. He sees his future in the life of Swami but wants to avoid it. He manages to run away from all that is corrupt by chance and then tries his best to cleanse the system.

The author and Bhushnam seem to be one. "The dual personality of big leaders, the misuse of the democratic system to gain power and the condition of the common man and his (Bhushnam) disillusionment with government policies used to fill the students with anger. They wanted to do something new and idealistic but found themselves helpless due to the pervasive corruption."

A well-thought plot that keeps the reader glued, albeit with anger, about the happenings in society. A good one-time read.

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