Dattapaharam: Call of the Forest

by V.J. James, Ministhy S (Translator)

'I could hear wild animals, as hungry as I was, growling down below, having caught my human smell. They attempted to scale the rocks. If there was one among them that could climb the cliff, my helplessness would turn me into its dinner tonight.'

On the eve of Independence Day, Mahesh reads a small news item about a mysterious forest dweller who appeared in the middle of a rainforest out of nowhere and disappeared without a clue. Immediately, he recognizes the man to be Freddie Robert, their friend, guide, leader and the one they had all named Yudhisthira, who had disappeared into the forest several months ago, in search of a rare new bird. Mahesh and his four friends, each named after a Pandava brother, and Panchali, or Meera, decide that the only way they can ascertain whether the man was indeed Freddie is to return to the forest and search for him.

Thus begins Dattapaharam, a powerhouse of a novel by the critically acclaimed and bestselling Malayalam author V.J. James.

A rumination on solitude, man's connection with nature and the strings that attach us to this world, this is a surreal novel where the author's imagination soars like an eagle and words flow like the untouched springs in a rainforest. At times a fable on the modern world, at times a search for identity amid a quest of discovery, and on the whole a moving tale that takes the reader deep into the forests to understand what really makes us human, Dattapaharam is a powerful novel for our anthropocentric age, written by one of the most exciting voices to emerge from the Indian subcontinent.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

V. J. James was born in Changanassery, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He attended St.Theresa's Higher Secondary School, Vazhappally and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Champakulam, before studying at St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mar Athanasius College of Engineering. He currently works for Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, as an engineer.
He is known for his unique style of presenting subjects in Malayalam literature world. His first book, Purapaadinte Pusthakam (പുറപ്പാടിന്റെ പുസ്തകം), was published by DC Books as the winning novel in the novel competition which was conducted as a part of the 25th anniversary celebration of DC Books in 1999. Malayalam film Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (English: When the Grapevines Sprout) loosely based on the short story Pranayopanishath by V. J. James. His style of narration gained much attention and praise.

Awards
DC Silver Jubilee Award, Malayattoor Prize (1999),Rotary Literary Award for Purappadinte Pusthakam
Thoppil Ravi Award, Kerala Bhasha Institute Basheer Award (2015) for Nireeshwaran

Novels
Purappadinte Pusthakam (പുറപ്പാടിന്റെ പുസ്തകം)
Dathapaharam (ദത്താപഹാരം)
Leyka (ലെയ്ക)
Chorashasthram (ചോരശാസ്ത്രം)
Ottakkaalan Kakka (ഒറ്റക്കാലൻ കാക്ക)
Nireeshwaran (നിരീശ്വരൻ)

Short story collections
Shavangalil Pathinaraman (ശവങ്ങളിൽ പതിനാറാമൻ)
Bhoomiyilekkulla thurumbicha Vathayanangal (ഭൂമിയിലേക്കുള്ള തുരുമ്പിച്ച വാതായനങ്ങൾ)
Vyakulamathavinte Kannadikkoodu (വ്യാകുലമാതാവിന്റെ കണ്ണാടിക്കൂട്)
Pranayopanishath (പ്രണയോപനിഷത്ത്)

Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol is a Malayalam family drama film directed by Jibu Jacob, written by Sindhu Raj and produced by Sophia Paul, the film stars Mohanlal and Meena, loosely based on the Malayalam short story Pranayopanishath (പ്രണയോപനിഷത്ത്) by V. J. James

Reviews

[Mili Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, I loved this book so much. This book is filled with the fragrance of wilderness.

This book tells us about a journey through nature to accept our true identity, to embrace the freedom of living.

We, humans, tend to forget that we are a part of nature. We love to think ourselves beyond this nature. We need to open the window and see the truth. Truth sometimes makes us devastated and sometimes gives us freedom and freedom is a part of the natural world, we forgot that truth.

Freddie was born as a seeker and how he discovered the truth of nature is the story of this book.

Five civil engineering students love themselves called Pandav. They love to travel and travel in the jungle. One year ago they lost their most enigmatic friend Freddie Robert.
Now four friends embarked on a journey of finding their fifth friend Freddie Robert. They delve into his diary for clues but what they found makes them speechless.

Love the way the author evokes the Jungle ambiance, and used philosophy in this book, it was profound and thought provocative. I love his amazing writing skill. It was captivating, this is the first time I have been introduced to the eloquence of author v j James and enthralled, with the lucid narrative he spellbound me to the book.

The delicacy of his writing gives an impression of richness that glued you to the book. Every chapter unfolded a new truth about Freddie and his friends. Witty words embroiled you and keeps you going with the flow of the story.

The author discussed some philosophies from various perspectives. It also has a small part of the discussion from Mahabharat and about Pandavas. It creates a stark contrast between our habitual thinking and the truth of original philosophy. I love how the author shed the light on Panchali. That was my favorite chapter in this book. It takes you to some unknown territory of epic mythology which is a valuable read.

Now craving wilderness .. loving this book.. after a long time I have read something that is wrapped with the fragrance of wild grass and tightly packed with mystery.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

James` ‘‘Dattapaharam: Call of the Forest‘‘ is an excellent book that transports readers into the heart of nature, unveiling its mysteries and prompting contemplation.

James tells a captivating story of a young man's yearning for connection with nature.
The author's writing in ‘‘Dattapaharam: Call of the Forest‘‘ is captivating, with a lyrical tone and vivid imagery that brings the natural world to life.

The protagonist's excursion into the forest echoes a human need to connect with nature, transforming his retreat into a metaphor for self-discovery, healing, and the search for greater meaning.

James tells a story that asks readers to consider the intimate connection between mankind and the natural world.

‘‘Dattapaharam‘‘ crosses cultural barriers, engaging with readers worldwide by promoting reflection and challenging us to listen to the whispers of the forest, resulting in a newfound respect for our natural environment.

Introspective times in the forest provoke existential musings on identity and the human relationship to nature, but experiences with the forest's raw energy leave a permanent impression, making it an excellent canvas for existential study.

The writing style in the book is a literary jewel that makes readers stop, think, and re-establish their relationship with nature.

‘‘Dattapaharam: Call of the Forest‘‘ is essentially a thrilling examination of our primordial connection to the natural world, as James's vivid story beckons us to enter the forest and discover the mysteries that lie inside its embrace.

[Craartology · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six friends. A forest. A rare bird. A mendicant. A search. Loss. Discovery. Yearning. Union.

That’s Dattapaharam: Call of the Forest, for you but emotional unrest and desire for solitude and oneness is also what this book is! V. J. James has penned the story of Freddie Robert and his friends who are a unit until Freddie goes missing in the forest. This book has a plot which has perspectives and experiences of every character with Freddie and their bond as a group. It’s a story of true friendship no matter the circumstances.

Call of the Forest, is the theme of the premise which invites Freddie, initially, helping him accept one’s true self when united with nature. This union is later experienced by the group of friends who are on a quest to find their guide and confidant Freddie. This journey is full of unreal experiences and filled with a sense of assimilation with nature and the feeling of going beyond what one truly is.

The book is beautifully detailed and atmospheric, one can’t miss the experience of a thriving forest while savouring it. A subtle enigma pervades through the plot and the reader is absolutely immersed in the beauty of the writing through and through.

I loved this book for its delicate yet persistent undertone of implicit spiritual curiosity. It’s a lovely book to read and experience.

[Chittajit Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the blurb of this book, I was a bit too excited to finish it and I did. Written originally in Malayalam, this book is about a group of friends who have named each other after the Pandavas and Panchali. Freddie Robert aka Yudhisthira went after a rare bird deep into the forest and went missing for quite a few months, but one fine day just before the independence day Mahesh came across a news article from where he immediately recognized Freddie. Now it’s up to them to go after him and bring him back but things aren’t always that easy as it sounds. This kind of a rescue trip happens once in a lifetime and it surely leaves a mark on their lives.

Beautifully described using nature as a backdrop, this book has been able to rekindle my love to visit forests and experience nature in its raw form. I loved the way the relationship of these six friends have been described including the complexity of human mind. Ministhy’s translation is top notch as usual and so is the plot. I will be honest that there was a time when I felt like a lost kid at a carnival but luckily I was able to pick it up and get along with the story. I would really want everyone to read this and just enjoy the journey that awaits for you.

[Ritaban Biswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intricately written work of 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 can work a treat, as did 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮, a 164-page book that has some of the most exquisite lines I've read recently.

The central character of the tale is Freddie Robert, who heeds the call of 𝘗𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘬𝘢𝘥𝘶'𝘴 extensive, beguiling forest. Freddie has been missing for eight months, and when his naked wandering in the forest lands him in the "Valley News," his college friends set out on a journey through the woods that will change their lives. Together with Meera, Mahesh, Rafi, Sudhakaran, and Sahadeva decide to "rescue" their friend from the stunning but unsafe wilderness. He doesn't need saving, though, because he has found the "home" where he belongs. He has finally discovered the sanctuary of peace that he had always yearned for.

With emphasis on mountains, soil, and everything in between, the characterization of nature and the forest here is sublime. Chapters alternate between the friend group's current plan and their continued enrollment in the engineering course. The majority of the story focuses on how the group met, how "Pandavas" & Panchali, the six friends, came to be, and Freddie's "unusual" love of nature. He leaves one day in search of a rare bird but never comes back. As was mentioned near the end of the book, Freddie (and Sudhakaran) had satisfied their basic needs of hunger, lust, and excretion—by which is meant the feeling of "union." The perception of one's soul becoming integrated into the forest.

All those who not only love nature but also wish to connect with it will find 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮 to be a delight. The only thing it asks of the readers is to respond to the 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵.

[Shweta Ganesh Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book in July but I had to put it down a couple of times due to circumstances beyond my control. Yet, the storyline remained with me and I always found it easy to jump back in and pick up from where I left off. Part allegory, part prose poetry - the book is worth a read. I feel like parts of the translation was quite clunky. I wish I’d read it in the original Malayalam as the translation definitely broke the dream-like quality of the narrative at times.

[Vinay Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something about VJ James's writing that makes me want to turn the pages, find out more. Philosophical, perhaps a whiff of the insane, but still kind of relatable. Kind of makes one question what is the line between "normal" and "crazy".