Book review on ' Gandhi Ni Kawad ' by Harindra Dave.

Gandhi  Ni Kawad

                            - Harindra Dave

            One of the most famous Gujarati writer - Harindra Dave writes so many novels, Plays, essays and poetry also. " Gandhi Ni Kawad" is  written by Harindra Dave.

"This novel is X- Ray image of our society."

            Title of the novel is very symbolic. Through the reading readers can't understand the meaning of the title but at the end it is really very symbolically represented the core of the novel.

            In this novel we find satire on politics and system. We can say that novel has the plot of politics. Though it has some furious senses, it remains pathetic till the end. The protagonist Karunashakar himself becomes the victim of the system who is against of this system. Karunashankar is used by politicians as manageable commodity.  and he becomes scapegoat of them. And , at the end he has no  way to escape from the situation in which he himself caught.    

'If literature reflects life and life embraces politics, science and technology , it ought to everywhere address itself to the complex whole of culture.'

            With the support of above statement, 'Gandhi Ni Kawad' is fully reflects the reality of human culture - past and present.

            How one innocent person who is against of corruption, he gradually is corrupted with the name of Gandhiji and his own virtue. Karunashankar never understand that he is  used only as pawn of that game to win election.  There is nothing innocent which is going on around him. But .. Now, his own son Bhanuprasad ( Bhaniyo) is also corrupted and mix up with the other politicians like... Jagmohan Bharadi, who is the villain  throughout the novel.

 Readers feel both destiny and intensity at same time. In the realm of politics, opinion governs behaviour. His metamorphosis is started from the external but from the inside still he can listen his voice.

            From the beginning readers have questions why Karunashanakr has no faith on Jagmohan Bharadi ? And why he has to know more things about Jagmohan Bharadi?

            Just , see the surname 'Bharadi'- it itself suggests so many things with symbolically. We find constantly controversy between Gandhisim and Nehruvian society.But... Karunashankar is strictly follower of Gandhiji and has proud that he himself  rejected to be the minister because he thinks that....

" In independent country much respect is been given to Teacher rather than Minister."

            Character of Karunashankar is portrayed  like....unique Bhakt of Gandhi.  As Rama has Hanuman. Gradually, he becomes rich, he has much more reputation than he has already before. But... Somewhere in his heart, he thinks that ..." What is done still now it is well and good for him but what is going on is it okay?"

            He has to change his language, his clothes, and so many other things. First it is wonderful experience for him but  reader has question that  Does it really it  good and wonderful for him?

            When we read this novel, it seems like that we are reading story of " Avatar "  and gives the glimpse of myths. Karunashankar never understand what is going on with him and how gradually he becomes the part of that things.

      First Karunashakar thinks 'Why Minister needs bodyguard if he really wants to serve people?  but after wards his thought is changed and says that...' Why people becomes jealous if Minister has bodyguards?'

            Writer uses the political language to describe persona and George said about political language that....

" Language for better or worse , can make reality; and what men believe can become true for no better reason than they think terms as they do."

            Karunashakar accepts the position of Bank director and accepts all those things which are disgusted by him first. Now, Karunashakar totally changed . He himself lost his own image and can't find where is Gandhi? In him ? , In Jagmohan? or in poor people? and we can see Karunashankar who is stand among  hypocrite politicians.  and now he feels that....

" There is big difference to sit on the Stage and to sit in front of the Stage."

            How government exploits poor people and how they treat poor people - that ascribes the real image of the society.  Here, Khodisa - the farmer becomes the victim of same system  and his son -  Ramdas is seized without any kind of fault. His fault is only that he raises his voice against the government/system.  And he is proved as nacelle  at last and killed.

            After Winning election , there is no use of Krunashankar in the party so , he gradually lost the respect from the party. And the new powerful person- Samtsing  is there. And now he has clearly idea about what is going on and how he is used and how intrigue is done with him. Krunashankar knows that he himself is fully corrupted but has no chance to confess or has no way to run away from there.

" Aje je Parane karvu pdyu e avati kale potano Sahaj svabhav to nai Bani jay ne??"

He has no answer of his own question. but somewhere in heart he is suffering from his own turmoil and listen that ' Truth is still alive in You . Truth is still alive in you.'but...

" Khadi nu Pot hve badlay chukyu hatu!"

            'Harijan Vas ma Aag' - that scene gives much sympathy towards them because for politicians it is game to collect Vote or winning election. But ...Who cares about poor people? who lost their dear one or home also? No one.. They just gives the speech of consolation  and give some money and everything is done.

" who cares about The value of human life ? "

The satire based on Karunashakar that ...

" It is good to have name of Mahatma Gandhi but there is no good sense to be Gandhi!"

            All things are projected with the political aspects which are not understood by ordinary or illiterate people. Roots of these things are lied on generosity of Jagmohan. But.. Bhanuprasad himself is against of his father who is known the reality. Bhanuprasad  never changes or accepts the old life-style of his father. And that is the best example of colonizers. Karunashankar himself becomes the colonizer. Means.......... Colonized becomes Colonizers.

What is real meaning of democracy?  Does such things happen in democracy? Karunashankar is the witness of crime , murder then even he is speechless. but for people he is " Bapu "  and the context directly goes to Gandhi but people don't know that now context is changed of that word for him.

            At the end , Karunashankar is stood in the court and says everything what happen with him but unfortunately, his own son proves him Mental and says that he has mental disorder and behaves that he is fully fine but that is the madness of him. How pathetic   it is foe him!

            How innocence person becomes immoral or corrupted ?  is he responsible for his situation or others?  Why he never understand people around him?  Does he really immoral? why his own son proves him mental ? Why he has to bear all those things ?  How he becomes the part of treachery ?  Does he come out from the Mental Ward ? What is the inner turmoil after confessing all things ?   To get the whole story of  the person and to get such answers must read at least once " Gandhi Ni Kawad". It is not tragic but much more pathetic.