Sugandhi Alias Andal Devanayaki: Book Review

 

 

Reading this book gave me a peek into the tales of the Tigers, the Lions and the Goddesses who sacrificed themselves.  It is a mix of facts and fables, and has parallel plots in the story.  In the contemporary reality there is the story of Peter Jeevanandam and his Hollywood crew who attempts to screen a movie about Dr. Rajani Thiranagama, a human rights activist and feminist who was allegedly murdered by the Tamil Tigers. There is also the story of Sugandhi who happens to be a manifestation of her ancestral archetype Andal  Devanayaki, a legendary intellectual who lived centuries ago. There are points where magic, myths and reality blend. The novel brings to light the violence in fascism as well as revolution. The writer gives a vivid portrait of the war-torn Sri Lanka when it was conquered by the Chola Empire, and the ironical “City of Dreams” which is a paradise-like haven within the Sri Lankan kingdom that has lost not only dreams but also hope for survival.  The core of the novel is settled at the quest for Sugandhi who also faces a tragic mishap like most women of the country who are silenced, raped, amputated for raising their voice. It discusses about war tourism. The major ideas in the novel are the intergroup conflict between the Sri Lankan state and the LTTE; and the intragroup conflict within the LTTE due to its alleged patriarchal value system. While there is violence, there is also resistance – violent as well as nonviolent – to violence through activisms and movements. Throughout the novel, there are strong and intellectual women who sacrifice themselves but do not give up their values. Beauty here is rather a curse than a privilege, as it calls upon trouble.