Unveiling the Andamans in Sujit Saraf’s ‘Island’

Sujit Saraf’s ‘Island’ is a captivating exploration of isolation, ambition and the collision between modernity and indigenous life. Inspired by the tragic real-life encounter of American missionary John Chau with the Sentinelese in 2018, the novel reimagines this incident as a layered narrative, probing humanity’s relentless urge to intervene and its unintended consequences.

At the heart of the story is Nirmal Chandra Mattoo, once a celebrated anthropologist, now running a souvenir shop in Port Blair. His reluctant involvement with Steven Li, an evangelical missionary driven to contact the Sentinelese, sets the stage for a morally complex tale. Through their intertwined fates, Saraf, winner of the Crossword Book Award for Fiction, critiques the exploitation of tribal societies and the motives of those who claim to protect them.

The writer’s research lends the novel both authenticity and resonance. Real places and events offer an immersive backdrop. From the Cellular Jail to the dense forests of the Jarawa Reserve, a vivid sketch of the islands is painted. Readers familiar with the area will recognise landmarks like Ross Island and the Bay of Bengal’s serene, azure-green waters. The authentic portrayal of the local life and the bustling tourism industry with its commodification of tribal art add depth to the story.

Mattoo emerges as a complex character, torn between his anthropological expertise and his circumstances. The episode involving an intimate encounter with a tribal woman and its repercussions is fascinating, keeping one engrossed in the tale. His disillusionment mirrors broader themes of the novel, including the ethical dilemmas of the exploitation of indigenous communities. The author draws parallels with Verrier Elwin, the anthropologist known for his interactions with the Baiga and Gond tribes of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

The portrayal of the Sentinelese is nuanced. This tribe symbolises a fierce resistance to globalisation and colonial intrusions, challenging readers to consider whether such “protected” tribes are genuinely safeguarded or manipulated for political and cultural gains. Saraf refrains from romanticising the Sentinelese, who are known to be violent, but raises critical questions about the morality of intervention.

In this quote of a civil servant defending the tribals’ inclusion in the mainstream, Saraf brings out the contrasting stand of those favouring the preservation of the Sentinelese’s DNA and civilisation: “They are defenceless against rice and dal, rum and tobacco, cars and bicycles, schools and hospitals, smartphones and Bollywood. We in the Service want to assimilate them gradually. You in the AnSI (Anthropological Survey of India) want to put them in formaldehyde jars in a museum.”

These ethical quandaries have been weaved into a gripping narrative. The interplay between Mattoo’s troubled past, Steven Li’s missionary zeal and the enigmatic Sentinelese creates a captivating tension. The climactic resolution is as chilling as it is thought-provoking.

The prose is both evocative and empathetic as it captures the beauty of the region, while delving into the stark contrasts between tribal life and modernity. It serves as a mirror to issues such as national identity, tribal rights and the recklessness of interventionism.

For those intrigued by the mysteries or the complex history of the Andamans, ‘Island’ offers an evocative and engaging journey.