Saakshi: The Witness

Name: Saakshi: The Witness
Rating: 4.333333492279053 (3 reviews)

S L Bhyrappa

Aug 2017 · Niyogi Books

3 reviews

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448

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About this ebook

Saakshi uses the Puranas and Vedanta as well as Gandhian concepts to discuss the meaning of truth and its distortions through greed, sexuality and desire. Overcome by guilt at having committed perjury in court, in a murder trial, Parameshwarayya, a village elder, commits suicide. Yama, the god of death and righteousness, affords him the privilege of presenting his case himself. Thereafter, he commands Parameshwarayya to return to earth in spiritual form to witness, but not to intervene, in subsequent events. Parameshwarayya observes his daughter Savitri, son Ramakrishna, son-in-law Satyappa, the woman Lakkoo and the sensitive Dr Hasheem as they are confronted by difficult decisions and revelations, which cause them to look inward and attempt an appraisal of their lives and values. Bhyrappa’s portrayal of the greedy Nagappa, who grudges his only grandson the rice he eats and the arrogant, selfish and lustful Manjayya creates indelible impressions on the mind. This powerful novel questions what it means to be a witness—in a courtroom, before the gods, to the lives of others, or finally to one’s self.

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Ratings and reviews

3 reviews

SBRUNDA S

September 5, 2020

Very good author

1 person found this review helpful

About the author

S L Bhyrappa, the Kannada novelist, is regarded as one of India’s foremost writers. His works are unique in terms of theme, structure and characterisation. Bhyrappa participated in the freedom struggle, but believes that Indian Independence was just a political freedom and that real Independence is the intellectual freedom which is nurtured by the strong foundations laid in the teachings of rich Indian culture and values. Bhyrappa has been honoured with many awards including the ‘Saraswathi Samman’ for Mandra. His novels have been translated into almost all Indian languages. He retired as a Professor of Philosophy from Mysore University and lives in Mysore.

L V Shanthakumari is a life-member of ‘Akhila Karnataka Lekakhiyara Sangha’. Her poems, articles and critical essays are published in Kannada and English magazines and journals. She has translated award winning books to and from Kannada including Bhyrappa’s Mandra (published by Niyogi Books) and Bhitti along with Dr S Ramaswamy. She has authored Yugasaakshi, a critical study on S L Bhyrappa’s novels.

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