Author- Malathi Ramachandran
Publisher- Niyogi Books
Year-2020
Format-Paperback
Length- 260 pages
Rating- 4.3/5 stars
Introduction and Plot-
In her debut novel, Malathi Ramachandran has artistically weaved together the fragmented tales of the legendary love story of Sultan Baz Bahadur Khan and Rani Roopmati with the thread of fiction in utmost love and care. Set in 16th Century India, the story takes us on a virtual journey to Mandu(Mandavgad), currently situated at Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, which was once ruled by Sultan Baz Bahadur. Once, during his visit to Malwa he had a chance encounter with a simple peasant girl Roopmati, who was not only extremely beautiful and lively in nature but also had a natural talent for classical music. A famous singer and poet himself, Sultan Baz Bahadur falls in love with her natural beauty and talent to such an extent that he decides to bring her to his palace as his muse. Roopmati, who used to believe river Narmada as her mother and guiding soul, requests him not to separate her from mother Narmada. Upon countless insistence, she presents a condition before the king. She will visit his palace only if she can get a chance to see and touch the waters of the river Narmada everyday. Sultan promises to fulfill her condition, which resulted in her arrival at the palace of Mandu.
But How is it possible to see and touch Maa Narmada from such a distance?
Will Sultan Baz Bahadur keep his promise or is it just a trick to bring Roopmati to his palace as his prized possession?
What will happen when other people hear about the celestial beauty of Roopmati?
These are some of the questions you have to resolve by going through this amazingly written work.
Review -
Author Malathi Ramachandran has done a fabulous job in bringing together the traditional tales of Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati and infused them in the most beautiful way possible through her brilliant writing style and narration.The novel opens with the descriptions of the natural beauty of Malwa and one can actually visualize in their mind's eye the rain soaked forest with the cool breeze, and the soothing sound of the flowing river Narmada along with an extremely refreshing voice of Roopmati, which provides an amazing reading experience. Whether it is the palace, the surrounding areas or the characters of the novel, reading Malathi Ramachandran's descriptive lines is certainly a pleasure.
Sultan Baz Bahadur Khan has been shown a person of character. He is extremely handsome and courageous. A famous poet and classical singer who is known for his Bazkhani music style, Baz Bahadur is a young artistic soul trapped inside the prison of power and responsibility . The author has presented his character keeping in mind the high position of the character as Sultan, yet he is also a young fellow who is very shy and confused in expressing his deep love for Roopmati. A Sultan with so much power , yet a novice in the subject of love. His confusion, restlessness and unconditional love has been beautifully shown through his inner thinking and conversations with Roopmati.
Roopmati has been portrayed as a child of the nature, a girl as innocent and pure as a deer yet courageous in expressing her likes and dislikes. The inner turmoil of Roopmati and the gradual development of her romantic feelings for Baz Bahadur has been narrated with amazing mastery!!.
Besides, the character of Hiba Rahima Sultana, the queen of Mandu is also important. She loves Baz Bahadur with all her heart, but her husand only loves music and art and those who are associated with it gets a chance to recieve his affection. A woman who has so much power in her hands, but still she is powerless. The person whom she loves the most is ignoring her for another lady. Hiba suffers from the constant fear of losing everything and end up in the Harem with other women. Though she looks very proud, but inside she is weak and alone. She has tried everything in her power to satisfy her husband, from learning new instruments to writing poetry, but his husband only finds her attractive sexually and don't even bother to visit her.
Portrayal of Disabled Character- In Author Malathi's work the disabled character has also recieved a respectable position. The character of Saadiya is a dwarf, but unlike earlier narratives where disabled people are shown as evil characters, Author Malathi has presented her as an amazing storyteller and a knowledgeable mature lady who like mother, knows how to guide young Roopmati to the right path.
The Cover page designed by Misha Oberoi is absolutely fantastic. Overall, it was a fascinating experience.
I give this novel 4.3 stars for the writing style, narrative and overall presentation. Buy this book and you won't regret.
Happy Reading
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