Chittamruthu by V.S Khandekar

A well researched work of fiction about the intricacies of human mind will always make us sit and think. When the solemn aspects of thoughts are expressed in an artful manner, it would appeal to the common minds more easily. Through his wonderful mastery over words and immense knowledge in literature V.S .Khandekar put forth an intricate conduct of human minds in his novel Chittamruthu.

I assume that time period of the novel is in 1940s, a time after the Indian Independence. The novel centres on Alakananda an educated young girl of Post colonial India. Alakananda, whose fiancée got killed in a plane accident, is in despair with life. When fate has wronged her, she even thinks to take her life off. But the love of her dear ones keep her rooted to the life.

It is at this time that her old friend Vasundhara invites her to the latter’s mansion at Vilaspur. Nanda’s family hopes that a change would revive her. Nanda also feel a little more relaxed to move out of Mumbai with her friend and the latter’s little daughter. 

Soon after Nanda reaches Vilaspur, she recognizes a missing note in Vasu’s life. She realizes that Vasundhara lives separated from her husband Devadattan who lives in the next door mansion. Nanda learns the apparently violent nature of Devadattan from the words of Vasundhara and the fear of little Madhura.

Fate soon introduces Nanda to Devadattan. They soon become dear friends due to their common interest in literature, philosophy and the love for nature. However Nanda is acutely aware that ‘Buddha’ and ‘the hunter’ co-exist in Devadattan. On their trip to Chandanghatt, Devadattan opens his mind to Nanda.  He reveals how the adultery of his mother and the subsequent exile of his father changed him into a violent person. He lives a life of solitude now, comparing his life with the mythical character Aswathaatma. 

The relationship between Devadattan and Nanda, soon sparks rumours in the rural hillside. Nanda leaves to Bombay but comes back again to attend the hospitalized Vasundhara. Devadattan is absent at this time in Vilaspur. However, Nanda gets a letter from him, explaining his ongoing pilgrimage.  He had received a letter from his mother who is also in a pilgrimage. In her letter she had explained how she had been abandoned by her husband that led her to adultery.  Devadattan is in search of her with a new positive feeling of forgiving mind and a perspective that that no one is wrong.

The letter completes Nanda’s transformation from an ailing lover to a person with the positive feeling.  The novel ends with a note that life is not a straight line but there can be positive things that can happen in this roller coaster ride.

The novel is undoubtedly a great work of Marathi literature. In this interesting study of human life, Khandekar has brought up the thoughts of many great thinkers like Sage Vyasa, Shakespeare and Hemingway etc.  The novel shows the intricate feelings that can arise in the human mind when the feeling of being wronged arises in it. Even the minor characters in the novel go through it. Characters like Devadattan, his father, mother, Vasundhara and even Alakananda take it with violence at times. However, there are those like Nanda’s parents, Professor, Bapu and his wife Savitri who face it with an optimistic view. The novel undoubtedly shows how the optimistic force of human mind prepares it to face even the major challenges in life.

I’ve read the translated version of the novel in Malayalam. It had been originally published in Marathi with the title ‘Amruthavel.’ Sri Kaaliyath Damodaran has translated the work in beautiful literary Malayalam. The novel fills the reader with a positive energy and an optimistic feeling.