Sartha: The Caravan

The development of the Kannada novel began in the latter half of the nineteenth century, with modern trends and themes appearing in the early twentieth century. The freedom struggle, and the ideologies associated with it, attracted the attention of leading novelists. Interestingly, this period also saw the revival of historical and mythological novels in Kannada. S.L. Bhyrappa, Karnataka’s leading literary figure, is well known for his profound study of philosophical questions. In Sartha, he recreates 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. Details of eighth-century India flood the pages, creating an experience that is rich and strange to readers uninitiated into the wealth and diversity of India a millennium ago. Sartha can be discussed at several levels. It is a historical novel defying western critical opinion that Indian fiction lacks a sense of the historical. At another level. it is a Picaresque novel that concerns itself with the escapades of the protagonist. On yet another plane it is a metaphysical one, dealing with the philosophy of Advaita. Finally, it is a romance, a very readable story about the true love of Nagabhatta and Chandrika.