Book Review (English) | Yamraj Number 5003

Book Review | Shaswati Das

Yamraj Number 5003: 

A  commentary on the reality of human life and society 

Genre: Novella

Author: MrinalChatterjee (Originally in Odia)

Translator: Thirumoy Banerjee (Translated to English)

First Impression: 2018

Publisher: Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd

Price: Rs. 195

The best fictional accounts are perhaps the ones weaved through the interstices of reality and imagination. The book “Yamraj Number 5003” is an attempt in that direction.

The book revolves around the Hindu God of Death, Yamraj (Yama). The author does well to present a pen-picture of the account of the Yamaraja in the ancient scriptures for the interested readers. However, his supposition is that with the evolution of time and increase in human population, it cannot be possible for one Yamaraja to carry out his assigned duties. Hence, we have today many Yamarajas, supposedly the clones of the original Yamaraja created by Lord Brahma through cloning and genetic engineering, who go about performing the duties assigned to the original Yamaraja. Yamaraja 5003 is one such clone and, as the name suggests, the protagonist of the novella.Though clones are expected to be exact replicas, Yamaraja 5003turns out to be slightly different from the rest owing to some ‘mechanical defects’ resulting from a mischief by Narada. The novella presents a vivid account of what follows next, how these mechanical defects pose a threat to the normal functioning of life on the earth and the heaven and how normalcy is restored for the common goodby the Holy Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara.

In some ways, the novella is also a commentary on the reality of human life and society. The eternal dilemma between what needs to be done and what should ideally be done is explored through the character of Yamaraj 5003. From mundane realities such as the apathetic state of government-run hospitals to the bitter irony that human beings are increasingly becoming religious rather than being pious, the author touches upon a wide range of subjects that are sure to find a connect with the common man.True to his role as a media educator, the author also touches upon the sad reality of the journalistic profession through the character of Narada. And all this he accomplishes with oodles of humour. The plot is well-organised and the narrative lucid. While the rather long descriptions of certain characters may have been pruned, these may as well serve to renew the interest of the youth in the ancient Indian mythologies. An engaging read for the youth of today, the novella is surely worth reading in one go.

Book Rating

Ø  Plot: 8/10

Ø  Narration:7.5/10

Ø  Writing Style: 9/10

Ø  Recommendation: Must Read

Ms Shaswati Das teaches mass communication at Bhawanipur Educational society College, Kolkata.