Sartha literally means a trading caravan. In ancient India, such caravans would travel to distant lands to trade with them. Sartha is a remarkable novel, which works simultaneously on two planes. It is a physical journey across India, as well as a spiritual inward journey of an eighth-century scholar born to a tradition of Vedic studies.Nagabhatta, the scholar, is deputed by Amaruka, the king, to study the secrets of caravans of other lands in order to improve the economy of his kingdom. During his extensive travels, Nagabhatta becomes a witness to and comes under the influence of dozens of religious, social, and cultural modes. Unusual experiences and peoples are depicted in a historically changing time in the history of India. The novel is a result of a deep and extensive study of history and research conducted at actual locales, like Nalanda. It searches, creatively, the roots of conflicting religious beliefs which India is constantly facing. Bhyrappa is well known for his profound study of philosophical questions. In Sartha, he goes back in time to recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era with an authenticity that is his hallmark. Through this gripping narrative, a vast panorama of the past unfolds before us. It is a novel that abounds in details of eighth-century India, creating an experience that is rich and strange--strange to readers uninitiated into the wealth and diversity of the India of more than a thousand years ago.Sartha can be discussed at several levels. It is a historical novel par excellence, defying western critics' opinion that Indian fiction lacks historical sense. On another level, it is a Picaresque novel, in so far as it concerns itself with the escapades of the protagonist. On yet another plane it is a metaphysical novel, dealing with the philosophy of Advaitic thought. Finally, it is a romance, a very readable story about the true love of Nagabhatta and Chandrika.

Sartha: The Caravan

Literature & Fiction

Ramaswamy, S.

Bhyrappa, S.L.

British & Irish

Oxford University Press

<p>Because my questions made Amir uncomfortable, he pronounced talaq just like that on the wife who had abandoned everything for him because his religion gives him that privilege. Where do I now stand, sir? Do you have any solutions for me?' Lakshmi, a rebellious, free-spirited and intelligent film-maker, breaks ties with her staunchly Gandhi an father to marry Amir, the man she loves. She even agrees reluctantly to Amir's request that she convert to Islam, as a formality and change her name to Razia. However, she is shocked to discover that her husband is not the open-minded, progressive individual he claimed to be. For after marriage, Amir takes his family's side in trying to force her to follow the more rigorous tenets of their faith. This sets her off on a personal journey into India's history to uncover the many layers of religion, caste and creed. Her quest leads her to the many parallels in the narratives between the past and the present and she gradually finds that though much has changed in Indian society over the centuries, much remains the same. The second historical novel by celebrated Kannada author S.L. Bhyrappa, translated for the first time into English by Sandeep Balakrishna, Aavarana: The Veil raises pertinent and searching questions about religion, liberalism and identity and highlights the importance of unshackling oneself from the bonds of false knowledge.</p>

Aavarana: The Veil

Classics

Rupa Publications Private Limited

Orphaned

Rupa Publications

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bhyrappa, S.L.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bhyrappa, S.L.