Oct 14, 2009 10:55 AM
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(Updated Oct 14, 2009 04:00 PM)
The decline of literature indicates decline of a nation - Goethe
If Goethe'sopinion is still valid, we are declining. The literary circus of the swanky IIT / IIM trained cupids gifted us the garbage of soft porn stuffs that might serve the purpose of tickling the pleasure nerves of kids. Publishers reaped fortune and coolie writers engaged by smart marketing professionals are started hailing the worth of their supreme creativity.
Here we have our Youth Iconwho aspires to be the “most loved” writer and not the “most respected” writer – Chetan Bhagat. The one who is graduated from IIT and IIM created the wave of literary revolution in India in terms of volume business. The partisans of neo classical novels churned out by this gentleman represent the declining phase of literary culture. No wonder, the man who gained the status of Indian Idol got the audacity to announce that Shakespeare was Ekta Kapoorof his times and his admirers experienced “mini orgasm” [courtesy to Chetan Bhagat for trivializing this terminology]
Two States is another mockery with immense commercial possibilities. The hero of the first novel, Five Point Someonewas Hari Kumar is rechristened as Krish Malhotra. He was sharing warm camaraderie with Alok and Ryan but alas with the change in name, he might have undergone a sort of mutation that might have kept him away from them. Now, he got into IIM – A, the top class business school in the country which is nothing but testosterone charged and estrogen starvedcampus.
The hormonal dimension is given supreme importance in the novel and basically CBnever wanted to explore something beyond this. In the campus, the Punjabi testosterone met Tamilian Estrogen Ananyaand in no time the relation developed or stooped down to be the typical sexual jaunt. Finally, when they got settled with their job in Citi Bank and Hindustan Lever, the most pertinent question of “cultural difference” emerged as the moot issue.
Rest is all about the normal cinematic Aloo Parantha Vs Idlichemistry through which the author tries his level best to condemn the commotion against regional issues. Of course, the narration is done in such a way that probably he will be approached to script the screenplay of the movie based on the novel. Of course, he did screw up “Hello” before that might have warned sensible Raj Kumar Hiraninot to approach him to help with his expertise in“3 Idiots”.
The novel is marketed as author’s real life experience while he chooses to marry a Tamilian Girl and of course there is a caveat that it is a work of fiction. The vain attempt of becoming the apostle of national integration, spoof on cultural diversity, glimpses of campus life, corporate challenges of rookie management trainees etc. came out as good as semi boiled garish potato – no taste, rich in calorie and will leave you with gas trouble.
Also, the trivialization of the grave issues associated with campus life, cultural diversity etc. came out as a literary insult. But alas, majority of youngsters are conditioned in such a way that any trash bearing the tag of CB need to be taken as serious literature or anthem of their compounded agonies.
The dramatic twists and turns provided with power packed overdose of over-the-top outpouring ensure the essential ingredient of spices pertinent for commercial success. The grotesque characters will turn out to be angels, charismatic saints will emerge to alleviate miseries through Gita Gyan ---- the most dramatic proposal during the hardcore recruitment selection in IIM - A that left the HLL senior managers aghast, transformation of simple South Indian lady as new age Joan of Arc who fight against the social evil "dowry" that might give scope for readers to extend a reverential salute to the fortitude of CB ---- Enough is enough.
The canvass is made a bit wider, links were established with the central character of the first novel, entire focus was given to two characters representing two states of the country or rather two hormones, and the plot is concocted with all the spicy ingredients and we call it as literature. Apart from the above – this time you have more surprises! It is the use of swear words without any purpose.
The swear words in Tamil were used (Page 252) without any discretion that might shock anyone who follow the language! All grammatical mistake in abundance like " served little marinated onion in the table" (Page 6) wherein he might have tried to communicate that "a little marinated onion". Seems, MS word or content editors might have liberally permitted stalwart of neo literary revolution to bypass hindrance of any form to his creative spur. Come on, grammatical mistakes are the privileges of less mortals like us who are penning reviews, not expected from a successful writer!
After all, the gentleman got the courage to draw parallel between Shakespeare & Ekta Kapoor. He opined “ So what if I write for the masses? So did Shakespeare. He was probably the Ekta Kapoor of his time” This is the license given by his admirers and our publishers. I wonder – whether IIT and IIM studies necessarily impart education? Who need to be blamed? Now, if you dare to experience the peripheral extravaganza of literary abuse hailing the chemistry of hormones , grab the crap!
How true, a learned person opined long back that "a fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry" - CB's work is the best personification of this quote.
I would love to assign negative rating to this poison – Avoid it like plague! INR 95 means 19 Vada Pavs- It is a better option.
