The Best of Aavarana
Saturday, 6. December 2008 - 1:20 AM
For the uninitiated, read this first.
One of the surest traits of an enduring work is its re-readability. SL Bhyrappa’s Aavarana like most of his other masterpieces comes sealed with this trait. Even after several re-readings I start at a random page and before I realize, I’d have read the entire novel all over. And now, I desperately have to share it. I obviously cannot publish its complete translation because it is unethical. But this fine work deserves wider circulation than it currently has.
Which is why I’ve decided to jot down some self-translated tidbits of Aavarana over the course of a few posts. Upon reading them, if you feel compelled to buy the book, I consider myself suitably rewarded.
Here goes.
…she won me over on our very wedding night with those words. Whatever her drawbacks in amorous skills, she opened herself up completely to me. But this experience was perversely new. With her…she was the woman, as nature had made her. But now how was I supposed to be the Mansabdar’s woman–I had for over a year experienced the tender undulations and pleasure-peaks that only a woman’s body is capable of giving…how could I be a she and participate in this marauding aberration…I felt violated. This Mansabdar says gifted poets of his culture write rapturous poetry in praise of this savage vulgarity. According to my Guru, poetry was supposed to be the most elegant expression of the most magnificent ideals of an entire culture.
– Musings of Khwaja Jahan, a 17-year old former Hindu Rajput Prince who was forcibly converted to Islam, on the event of his first experience of forced sodomy by a Muslim Mansabdar.
Tags: Aavarana, Fiction, Islamic Conquest of India, Khwaja Jahan, My Tribute to SL Bhyrappa, SL Bhyrappa, History, Indian History
6. December 2008 - 4:50 AM
It is indeed great that you bring out these facts about the Islamic conquest of India. I nearly vomited when I read this and your earlier post about Avarana. Definitely not a book for me.
How can they do this and still rule India for so long?
6. December 2008 - 5:46 AM
Is a translation in English of this book available?
6. December 2008 - 6:03 AM
Not bad – sexual savagery and violence to parallel the narrative as a literary device ; and certainly such a degradation may be one very powerful way to personify how the Islamist laid low (no pun intended) a civilization that they could not have themselves build. Was this prince castrated after the conquest(as it seems from reading other reviews of the book)? That would serve as a powerful metaphor too.
To be defeated in this battle is more than a loss of territory and kingdom; it is even more than dishonor. It is the loss of everything that makes for vitality and joy. It is the loss of creativity and potency; it is to become unregenerate. Of course, it is to be spiritually violated.
Indian medieval history is sometimes almost too painful to contemplate. It is the near snuffing-out of a very complex civilization. It may not have been Utopia, but what was put in it’s place was hardly befitting.
I look forward to buying the book when the English translation is ready – sadly I do not know Kannada; and even in the hands of the very best, some of it will be lost in translation
6. December 2008 - 12:02 PM
I will buy the book… but has it come out in English?
6. December 2008 - 3:03 PM
Sandeep – great post. Equivalent to not putting down the page, I dont recall blinking when i read the article. The incident of Lakshmi becoming a muslim and her husband thinking religion being a artifical barrier, needs to be pondered about by the intellectuals. I have always wondered why dont Muslims and Catholics apply this ‘artifical barrier’ and do not insist on their converting to their relition. Several religions does not require the spouse from a different religion to convert. The psyche of the religious leaders that force conversion prior to marriage has to examined. In my opinion, this zeal to bring peopel through their fold, creates lot of evil in this world. I am proud that Hinduism does force a non-hindu marrying a hindu to convert. What is it that does not allow Muslims and CAtholics to do the same? In this political correct world, this question will never be debated in the main-stream. I have always wondered why doesn’t a ‘deeply in love’ Xtian or Muslim convert to religion of Hindu to take the hand of this Hindu girl-friend? If they cannot give up their religion for the sake of love, is it fair on them to expect the same from the Hindu girl they are in love with?
I dont even want to go into the sexual pervision detailed in the book. It should not happen to anyone.
6. December 2008 - 8:53 PM
Dear Sandeep,
I would have gone mad had i not been able to vent my frustration in a few blogs.Your blog is one of them.The others are barb,rc,shadow warrior and BR.
I was depressed for a few days from Nov 27.I vented my hatred in an indian muslim blog angered by the posts found there.Everyone there thinks that history started on Dec 6 1992.
I am taking the liberty of posting something personal.It is in a way ridiculous.I want you to read the book ‘Dialogues with the Guru.’(if you not already read it).It is not politically correct.Also the books ‘Exhilarating Elucidations’,Edifying Parables .These can be found in the Sringeri Math bookshops in shankarapuram or sringeri.Do not neglect sandhyavandanam.
I request you to delete this post.
6. December 2008 - 9:32 PM
Again personal.Please delete it.
After spitting venom in that blog,i sought forgiveness from iswara and Guru and ’sadhu jana’in that blog. Wanted to convey to you.
28. December 2008 - 5:14 PM
Ghostwriter said-
“Was this prince castrated after the conquest(as it seems from reading other reviews of the book)? That would serve as a powerful metaphor too.”
That would serve as a powerful metaphor of the Indian state too.
The way Indian society and its elected reps are going about.
India acts like a eunuch.
7. August 2009 - 11:44 PM
Hi
Is the English or Hindi transalation published. I am desparately looking for it. I have read many works of Byrappa. This is surely a master piece.
Sharmila