Preview | Shakti, a Novel

SHAKTI, a Novel: An engrossing read on the whole

Original Odia: Mrinal ChatterjeeEnglish Translation: Nadeem KhanPublisher: TimePass, BhubaneswarPreview: Elisa Patnaik

The triumph of uprightness over evil, good over bad and honesty over corruption – always make for a fascinating story and effective engagement. This is the underlying theme of Shakti, a short novel by author Mrinal Chaterjee that weaves several smaller narratives to convey the absolute power of authority, greed, depravity verses honest rebellion, generosity and rectitude.

 

Release expected on second week of May, 2018

Though set in kingdom ruled by a vile king with his retinue of corrupt ministers and staff, Shakti could be the story of any modern day occurrence. The protagonist is Dr Biplap Roy, a brilliant and dedicated scientist, also an honest do-gooder who discovers a machine that traps sounds to convert it to sound energy. Coming from a poverty-stricken, humble background and haunted by the death of his mother, Dr Roy burns with a desire to create something help the poor. He fulfils his dream with his invention and a thrilled and jubilant, Dr. Roy wants to use his invention for the common good, for the underprivileged and for the development of his country. But His Highness, King Vikram Singh, the autocratic and despicable monarch of the nation and his step brother and minister Lalsaheb Duhshaasan Singh have other plans. What follows is a series of events at the behest of the King resulting in the arrest of the Scientist and a diktat to the citizens not to produce any sounds in order to usurp Dr Roy’s precious invention. Unable to endure the monarch’s cruel and despotic ways, the citizens rise in rebellion. 

The novel is based on another thought-provoking premise, the need and promise of alternative and sustainable source of energy in a state where in the name of development, and modernisation, greed and exploitation takes over.  The threat of an energy-deficient state in the future and the impact on the environment looms large. One also cannot help wondering the impact of such a discovery some day! The book also touches upon the long-standing inequality between the rich and the poor with the former almost always abusing and manipulating the latter to satisfy their ambitions and satiate their egos. Dig up the foundation of any big city in the world and one would find hundreds of thousands of these wretched people…

The novel is replete with interesting characters from the willy personal assistants to the near romantic interest of Dr. Roy. One can almost visualise Nidhiram Patnaik, Mr. Priyanath Pati and Sunanda from the way their characters have been knitted with their typical idiosyncrasies. Dr. Roy’s excitement over his creation and the outpourings of love towards it lend dashes of humour and so does the manners of the other personalities. The characters stand out for their detailed description and characterisation.

Shakti, that symbolises power, energy and potential is depicted in various forms throughout the novel. The author does a creditable job of keeping the pace of the story taut, tickling the reader’s curiosity. 

Originally an Odiya novel, Shakti has been translated to English by Nadeem Nadeem Khan who accomplishes the difficult task of delicately balancing the language with the narration keeping the nuances intact. An engrossing read on the whole. 

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Elisa Patnaik, an Iimc Dhenkanal alumna and an avid reader presently works for Ernst and Young in Development Sector

27.4.18