About the Author – Prayaag Akbar
Born in West Bengal, Prayaag Akbar is the son of well-known Indian politician and journalist M.J.Akbar and Mallika Joseph. The author himself is an Indian journalist and novelist, and formerly served as the deputy editor of Scroll.in. He also worked as a reporter for Outlook magazine. He has contributed to various publications, including Indian Express and Caravan, covering topics related to caste, class, and politics. His debut novel, Leila, set in a dystopian world, was shortlisted for The Hindu Literary Prize and went on to win the Crossword Jury Prize and the Tata Literature First Book Award. Additionally, the novel was adapted into a Netflix series starring actress Huma Qureshi in the lead role.
His background as a political commentator and journalist has given much depth to his writing in “Mother India”.
Prayaag Akbar currently lives in Goa with his family.
About the book – Mother India by Prayaag Akbar
Book Specifications
Title – Mother India
Author – Prayaag Akbar
Book buying link – Amazon.in
Pages – 184
Publisher – Harper Collins
Themes of Post truth Politics, Casteism, Toxic Nationalism
Prayaag Akbar treads a fine line when sensitively exploring the realm of current day politics fuelled by religious intolerance , caste based discrimination and twisted versions of truth.A very measured and balanced look at the atmosphere in the India of 2024 , the opportunities it offers its youth and how they will navigate their identities and fulfil their aspirations is the strength of “Mother India’.
Characters and Plot of ‘Mother India’ by Prayaag Akbar
Mayank Tyagi – Mayank lives with his widow Mother in Delhi and works for Kaushik as a graphics designer and media researcher. He is a simple boy who has to push his ideals to the back of his mind if he has to earn his living.
Nish Bisht – Hailing from the hills and working in a posh mall selling Dojuri brand of luxury chocolates , learning the psychology of selling aspirations as her boss helpfully taught her.Apparently people did not drop in to buy chocolate – they came to buy knowledge about the brand that they can show off later.
Kaushik – Kaushik is Mayank’s rich and unscrupulous boss who believes that creating content that divides people and creates rift is the only mantra to success of his Youtube channel and earning big bucks.
Their paths collide when Mayank , already smitten by Nisha after stumbling on her profile online ,uses her face for a graphic . The graphic depicts “Mother India” being threatened by a leftist student leader and Muslims.Here is the catch – Mayank did not ask Nisha’s permission before making her the face of a viral-hate-inducing video.What are the implications of this on their respective lives is what Mother India the book is all about.
Don’t go by the slim volume of this book.Every page and every line is nuanced and compels you to think.It is not just the story that hold your attention but also the minute observations by the author that keeps you turning pages.
On the flip side , the cover design and the title seem a bit dated and do not capture your eye or imagination.
Conclusion
“Mother India” by Prayaag Akbar is a thought-provoking and impactful novel that delves into complex societal issues prevalent in contemporary India. The author intricately weaves together the lives of various characters, offering a poignant commentary on work ethics, class divide, gender dynamics, and political unrest. Akbar’s narrative is engaging and rich in detail, giving deep insights into the art and ethics of survival in a city . The book’s relevance to modern-day India makes it a powerful and contemporary read for anyone seeking to understand the country’s intricate social fabric. With its well-crafted prose and engaging storyline, “Mother India” captivates readers from beginning to end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
My rating is a 4.2/5
Check out the books I have read and reviewed on my Goodreads profile
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
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