Рао Раджа (3)

The Cat and Shakespeare is a gentle, almost teasing fable of two friends — Govindan Nair, an astute, down-to-earth philosopher and clerk, who tackles the problems of routine living with extraordinary common sense and gusto, and whose refreshing and unorthodox conclusions continually panic Ramakrishna Pai, Nair’s friend, neighbour and narrator of the story. This evocative novel brings alive the raw texture of Indian life, and delights in its humour.

Rama, a young scholar, meets Madeleine at a university in France. Though they seem to be made for each other, at times they are divided, a huge cultural gulf separating them. Can they preserve their identities, or must one sacrifice one s inheritance to make the relationship a success?

Regarded as the first major Indian novel in English, Kanthapura is the story of how Gandhi’s struggle for Independence came to a casteist south Indian village. Young Moorthy, back from the city, brimming with new ideas, seeks to cut across ancient barriers and unite the villagers in non-violent action. The story emerges through the eyes of a delightful old woman, who comments on the villagers’ actions with sharp-eyed wisdom, evoking the spirit of India’s traditional folk epics.