Doing anything the first time is always the most difficult. Hesitation haunts you. Uncertainty irks you. Dithering disturbs you. However, once a beginnng is made, its momentum takes you much beyond what you had bargained for. And when you look back, you begin to wonder whether, it was really you, who did all this.
This is pretty much that happened with us too - with my daughter Madhuri and me. We wanted to write a novel, having never done it earlier, and before we knew it, we had done it! This was in December 2007. The theme of the novel was the story of the film "Lagaan", as we saw it, where characters had backgrounds much beyond what the film had to portray and many new characters included as well. Our hero was not Bhuvan - the film's hero, but Kachra the untouchable of the village.
We wish to share this story with you - a chapter a week and trust that you enjoy it.
You can read our story at http://groups.google.co.uk/group/word-wonderworld/web/a-surge-of-time---chapter-1?hl=en (also available under ram links as "A surge of time"). Please do let us know what you think about our style of writing, the effect of our subtle alteration of the theme, and also whether the narration appears seamless, considering the fact that two persons have authored it.
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Although it is an adaptation of the movie " Lagaan", there is a beautiful earthy and rustic flavour when I read the opening chapter. The prose is truly Dickensian and very classical in style. Having read a lot of classics in my childhood, it gave me a sense of nostalgia as I wandered back in time trying to remember the various classics written by Dickens, Thomas Hardy and others. It even resembles R K Narayan and his Malgudi writings. It is very rare that you chance upon a writing among contemporary authors, which has a similar addiction to "propah" Engilsh literature. I definitely look forward to reading the further episodes which I presume will come " Ek Chota Sa Break ke baad"! And I definitely hope that some publisher does see merit in publishing this book.
ReplyDeleteWonderful weave of words with winsome attitude of each of the characters ; Great imagination.
ReplyDeleteI will suggest my kids too to read the story.
Thanks.
Very Very interesting. Although it is an adaptation and does remind of the movie "Lagaan" there is a newness in it......and the next time i watch the movie......i will know my characters better.. :)
ReplyDeleteRachna
Its like wow....doesnt fall short of a bestseller status...nice language and an excellent theme...i am waiting eagerly for the next episodes...it kept me reading...and its very easy to imagine the whole story coz its so close to what we know of india..very nice work..i havent read anything this appealing since many days...thanx for getting this out..cant belive this is your first work and that too by a father and daughter ...a great fusion..loved it..waiting for more..
ReplyDeleteAllam Bhavana..
Real talent. Too bad the movie company has not seen fit to OK the book. I will read on at my leisure. Good Luck and God Bless.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read chapter 2!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, it is beautifully written, the characters sketches are very clear, the pace is fast and the language is very readable. The writing reflects a deep understanding of life, in general, and the rural landscape in particular.
Here's wishing more power to your pen (or keyboard)!
Extremely well written…the village of Champaner comes to life with all its rustic charm.…I was transported to a different world…the words and the vivid imagery they invoke have that effect….the characters have been introduced so beautifully. It is true that the movie "Lagaan" had many untold tales which were just hinted at and then left to the viewer's imagination. To want to explore and develop those tales in the form of a novel was indeed an interesting idea from which the book is born.
ReplyDeleteI am curious to see how the story develops, particularly, as stated, if Kachra is the hero of the book. Although the book, is set in pre-independence India, it would have contemporary relevance, because a large part of India is still pre-occupied with questions of caste. Manu's caste system continues to live in people's sub-conscious(with minor variations, maybe), so deep seated has been the impact that centuries of "progress" has not been able to wipe out the subtle prejudices, the unseen barriers in the social fabric, never mind the cosmetic camouflage.
Another remarkable aspect of the story so far is that it is impossible to tell that it is authored by two individuals. It goes to the credit of the father-daughter duo, that one cannot guess where the father has stopped and the daughter has taken over the narration and vice-versa.
Before actually reading the chapter, I was entranced at the idea itself. Like Ram and many others, I was also deeply impressed by the movie "Lagaan" and fleetingly thought about what Bhuvan, Gauri and their friends' lives would have been like later. The idea of fleshing out a complete book based on these characters is a great and novel idea.
ReplyDeleteI have read half the chapter and will continue later. What I read, I liked very much. I must salute the imagination of the authors - the reason put forward for Lakha being the way he is, is a stroke of genius!
This story is delightful. The characterisation is excellent and the way it weaves its magic leaves one hungry for more.
ReplyDeleteI read the first chapter and I am really impressed. Both of you have found your niche and mode of expession. I will look forward to the next Chapter and I wish you the very best on your literary sojourn.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pleasant surprise. Excellent lyrical style, strong characterisation. I must confess that while I enjoyed watching Lagaan long back, I never thought much about it later. I shall certainly watch it again with renewed interest.
ReplyDelete