Blame it on DaVinci Code. All of a sudden, thriller with a base of religion and mythology suddenly became my obsession. I have read my fair share of such books but I was trying to find something with an Indian background. The recently concluded 2nd Pune International Literature Festival managed to convince me to pick up the talked about book The Butcher of Benares by Mahendra Jakhar. While talking to the author, his detailed study intrigued me to read his debut novel.
After reading the prologue, I was
hooked and within a span of one day, I finished the book. I believe the story has
to have a linear thread, despite being set in different time frame or places.
The readers should be made aware beforehand that the title is quite apt for the
kind of blood and chilling scenarios presented in the book. You are introduced
the protagonist, tough Jat cop from Delhi Crime Branch, Hawa Singh, who might
look all brawn with his six foot plus height and hulk of a frame. But he also
has some brains to match.
Hawa gets sucked into a murder
mystery of a religious nature which involves the Vatican, the Benares royal
family, Hinduism’s most formidable sects (Nagas and Aghoris, bitter rivals) and
most important, a cunning cannibal on loose who will not stop at anything to
prove his point. As Hawa gets entangled in this rather internationally
religious plot, you also meet FBI agent Ruby Malik assisting the protagonist.
What pleasantly surprises the
reader is the fact that the book has been well-researched. Whenever the mention
of any religious or even historical fact arose, it does not bother you as
something out of the fertile mind of the writer. Mahendra weaves these facts
without letting the pace of the book down. The Naga sadhus led by an intriguing
American Mahant named Baba Ramtirath create a terrifying vision, be it their
fierce loyalty for their guru, utter disregard for worldly rules and just mere
presence. On the other hand, you have the equally terrifying Aghori sadhus. Hardcore
Shiva followers, the revered but mostly kept a hand’s length Aghoris are known
to haunt cremation grounds, indulge in cannibalism and known to be masters of
tantric art. With these two rival parties making appearances as suspects, you
also have a suspicious Kashi naresh with an intelligent but maniac brother who
happens to be an Aghori and a cannibal. In between you are introduced to a scheming
evil opportunist entrepreneur-cum-politician and his deranged son.
It is these facts mixed with a
linear pattern of fast-paced story-telling. Mahendra does not let the mystery
or the plot slow down with soppy romantic plots or personal baggage. I found it
refreshing clipped. I also found the character sketches on similar lines. The characters
are not burdened with endless dramas. You can picture Hawa Singh’s personal
battles while solving this case. His father is on another trip of finding death
and moksha in the holy city, but it eludes him. So he is on another trip of
enjoying life till it lasts. Be it FBI agent Ruby, the mysterious Kashi Naresh
Abhay Singh or his Aghori brother Manavendra, the very mysterious Baba
Ramtirath, or even minor characters like SSP Neeraj Thakur, each make an
impression.
I would prefer calling the
language to be perfect for the kind of story The Butcher of Benares is.
Mahendra has used simple language with the scenes to be created effortlessly
before your eyes. You see Benares in a different light here. Holy is one word
which always comes here, but eerie and dark will soon come to your mind.
Whether Hawa and Ruby tried to pick up clues or episodes leading up the next
victim, all episodes come out with ease.
I have always been a big crime
thriller fan, along with mythology and religious stories. It is probably
because all these offer me the thrill to picture the written word or figure how
it would be. One would call The Butcher
of Benares to be quite a heady combination of all these genres. At the end,
I was just glad to pick it up for a relaxed Sunday. Mahendra Jakhar, take a
bow.
P.S: Benares happens to be on my
must-visit places list for quite some time. The book allowed me visit the place
without even stepping out of my room.
Title: The Butcher of Benares
Writer: Mahendra Jakhar
Genre: Crime Thriller
Publisher: Westland
Price: Rs 350 (Paperback)
Photo Credit: http://www.westlandbooks.in/ &
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