Is it possible?. Review on Sambhav Asambhav - Harkisan Mehta

Sambhav Asambhav, a novel dealing with reincarnation, by Harkisan Mehta, was first published in early 1990s.

It was successful in getting great feedback from the booklovers of Gujarat..mainly because it is a Gujarati novel. But, it has been translated into other languages like Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, etc.

The story revolves around Father, Son and Daughter-in-law. Each character is linked with each other in an excellent manner. Mumbai is a host to many Gujaratis and this novel is based on the rich Gujarati family which resides in Mumbai.

Amarnath, is the owner of Indian Steam Company, and is a very rich man. His son Anand resembles him a lot in looks.. so much so that people who meet them for the first time are surprised at the resemblance.

Characters of the story

Amarnath - The rich shipping magnate. He owns India Steam Company. He has tried his best to give justice to bring up his son, after his wife died just after giving birth to his son. When Anand reveals that he is in love with a girl named Maya, and who is not from a rich family, he is ready to get them married.. because he doesn't want history to repeat itself. He himself married Meera against his father's wishes 24 years back. After her death, he has not remarried, and spends some time at the 'smritimandir' in their garden, where he has safely kept his and meera's memories.

Anand - Amarnath's son loves Maya, and marries her. He got a proposal for marriage, for Amarnath's friend's niece... but because he loves Maya, he turns down the proposal. He has a week heart.

Meera - Meera was Amarnath's wife, who died after giving birth to Anand. On her death bed, she takes a promise from Amarnath that he should remarry so that her son doesn't have to grow up without mother's love. She said that her soul will not rest at peace if he doesn't remarry. But Amarnath's love for her did not allow him to remarry.

Maya - Anand falls in love with Maya, a student of M.A. (psychology), at first site. But as soon as Maya sees Anand, she faints. That was the first time it ever happened. She faints because it was the first time the spirit of Meera took over her. Now this is not supposed to be a horror story... it happens to be a story of unconditional love, even beyond life.

Dr. Devdutta - He is a cardiologist, who comes from US, and is a good friend of Amarnath. He was the one who helped him and meera to get married because Amarnath's father opposed the wedding. (the rich-poor trouble). He comes to India and carries out the first successful heart transplant operation in Mumbai. And later, he is responsible to save Anand's life as well.

Rita - She is Devdutta's niece, and Devdutta wanted her to marry Anand. But Anand turned down the proposal and like a wounded tigress, he challenged him that if she could not be his wife, she will be his mother by marrying Amarnath. This challenge worries Anand and Amarnath, and that leads to the prejudice which they create in their minds for her. But, towards the end, you can see her change.. and by climax, you start having respect for the character.

Dayabehn - She is Maya's mother. (in Gujarati behn is the word we use as respect for women). She is admitted in the mental hospital, Pune. because she is mentally challenged. She was against Maya getting married into a family which doesn't have a woman, because her own father in law was a widower and once tried to molest her. And that was which lead to her current mental state.

Well, if I reveal the end, there will be no fun in reading it.. but its worth a read. Sony Entertainment Television used to air the serial with the same name.. I have not seen the serial.. so cant say how close it was with the novel..

The novel actually makes you think is there life after death? This doesn't necessarily mean the ghosts.. with red bulb as eyes.. but is there some supernatural power??