After 50 Years

This novel is a fascinating picture of the socio-cultural and political landscape of 50 years of independent India. It presents a complex interplay of patterns of feudalism and democracy, exploitation and social justice, poverty and affluence, intrigue and morality, corruption and probity, superstition and faith. The novel tells the story of a nation, which starts from virtual scratch after independence and dreams of attaining the pinnacle of success and glory in every field of life. There is substantial success initially, but soon after that, narrow, personal and partisan interests get the better of the wider national interest, and the national polity degenerates into a kind of dynastic rule and stark corruption and nepotism. Partaking in and for a time wading through this slime, the protagonist does ultimately rise above it, but his rise only highlights the fall of the politicians and people around them. The simple storyline and first person narration makes the novel highly readable and striking. The narrator, a bright and honest don, maintains an enviable ironic detachment while he seems to be fully participating in the narrative and completely empathising with the characters. Though the events selected and the characters involved in generating those events symbolise a much larger canvas than they actually present, the story could possibly be looked upon as an exciting allegory of our time.