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Tamasha in Bandargaon
In the fictional suburb of Bandargaon, tucked away in Bombay, there’s never a quiet moment. Dreams erupt, hopes shatter, in the heaving sunrise apartments, by a rickety tea-cart Jinias Chai Hause, inside a seedy Jaanam Desi Bar, and by the dilapidated Purana Qila.
Chagan, the dashing hero, who shines like a film-star, spends hours wooing a beauteous Shalini. Shalini, ever fickle, oscillates between him and a pining Vinayak. Vinayak, in turn, tries desperately to win the favour of Shalini’s mother, Lakshmibai. Elsewhere, the local politician, Sajjanpur, tries winning an impossible election; Miranda, a sullen mortician, seeks answers from an ailing priest; and Sultan, the irascible grocer contends with an overfriendly dog.
Reminiscent of R. K. Narayan’s Malgudi Days, Tamasha In Bandargaon, with its interlinked stories, with its effortless dialogue and wry humour, is at once enriching and entertaining. In the young debut writer’s imaginary world, there’s sound, fury, and the distant glimmer of hope.
Know the Author: Navneet Jagannathan spent the early years of his life in Mumbai and Bangalore. He then moved to Singapore, where he is currently based. He works for an FMCG Major, and writes in his spare time. Tamasha In Bandargaon is Navneet’s first novel.
Chagan, the dashing hero, who shines like a film-star, spends hours wooing a beauteous Shalini. Shalini, ever fickle, oscillates between him and a pining Vinayak. Vinayak, in turn, tries desperately to win the favour of Shalini’s mother, Lakshmibai. Elsewhere, the local politician, Sajjanpur, tries winning an impossible election; Miranda, a sullen mortician, seeks answers from an ailing priest; and Sultan, the irascible grocer contends with an overfriendly dog.
Reminiscent of R. K. Narayan’s Malgudi Days, Tamasha In Bandargaon, with its interlinked stories, with its effortless dialogue and wry humour, is at once enriching and entertaining. In the young debut writer’s imaginary world, there’s sound, fury, and the distant glimmer of hope.
Know the Author: Navneet Jagannathan spent the early years of his life in Mumbai and Bangalore. He then moved to Singapore, where he is currently based. He works for an FMCG Major, and writes in his spare time. Tamasha In Bandargaon is Navneet’s first novel.
324 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Navneet Jagannathan
4 books1 followerNavneet Jagannathan spent the early years of his life in Mumbai and Bangalore. He then moved to Singapore, where he is currently based. He works for an FMCG major, and writes in his spare time. Tamasha in Bandargaon is Navneet’s first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 3, 2015
Tamasha in Bandargaon was a light read for me. As I read this book during my finals, it kept me de-stressed and the humour was witty and realistic. Its been reminiscent to R.K. Narayan's Malgudi Days eventhough I haven't read the latter this book was great for a start in an Indian setting.
Also being the first of a kind book read by me, it was a little confusing at first' with so many characters and stories, but as the chapters flew by, I got hooked to the cheery tales of Bandargaon.
Also being the first of a kind book read by me, it was a little confusing at first' with so many characters and stories, but as the chapters flew by, I got hooked to the cheery tales of Bandargaon.
May 1, 2018
The ultimate test of the quality of a book is simple: if the characters tend to stay with you after putting down the book then you can safely bet that the author has penned a story of quality - one that has binding power, with superb characterisation and a nice flow in the plot. And the current book - Tamasha in Bandargaon - has all of that, and more... it slowly grows on you and grapples you, ensnares you in the storyline very much like a creeper vine clutches a tree! (Sorry Navneet - could not think of a more apt description)
About The Plot
This book revolves around a fictional suburb of Bandargaon in Mumbai, and focuses around the residents of Bhavani Nagar and the nearby slum area of Shankarpada and is supposed to be a series of short stories. Please note: I said supposed to be. What unfolds in reality is one continuous story, wrapped around a series of episodes in the daily life of Bandargaon. The beauty is in the narrative of the main story (or rather couple of main stories) that are told alternatively, or sometimes after an interval of a story, rather like an entwined wire - or to use my previous metaphor, creeper vine. What slowly emerges in front of your eyes is a motion picture, a kaleidoscope if you will, of the suburb of Bandargaon. You begin to relate to the characters, understand them, empathize with them, relate to their emotions... At the cost of repeating myself, quite an achievement for a first time author!
Read More :https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...
About The Plot
This book revolves around a fictional suburb of Bandargaon in Mumbai, and focuses around the residents of Bhavani Nagar and the nearby slum area of Shankarpada and is supposed to be a series of short stories. Please note: I said supposed to be. What unfolds in reality is one continuous story, wrapped around a series of episodes in the daily life of Bandargaon. The beauty is in the narrative of the main story (or rather couple of main stories) that are told alternatively, or sometimes after an interval of a story, rather like an entwined wire - or to use my previous metaphor, creeper vine. What slowly emerges in front of your eyes is a motion picture, a kaleidoscope if you will, of the suburb of Bandargaon. You begin to relate to the characters, understand them, empathize with them, relate to their emotions... At the cost of repeating myself, quite an achievement for a first time author!
Read More :https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...
May 12, 2017
It was interesting to read a nicely interwoven set of stories between members of a neighborhood - how the lives intertwined along with a decent dose of Silver-screen style masala. The book got some real laughs from me at some instances and the characters were fun to read about..
August 26, 2020
This book is a fantastic experience; the humor is subtle, the characters unique and the various plots, very intelligently crafted! Truly a wonderful read!
June 16, 2015
In the fictional suburb of Bandargaon, tucked away in Bombay, there's never a quit moment. Dreams erupt, hopes shatter, in the heaving Sunrise Apartments, by a rickety tea-cart-Jinias Chai Hause, inside a seedy Jaanam Desi, and by the dilapidated Purana Qila. Chagan, the dashing hero, who shines like a film-star, spends hours wooing a beauteous Shalini. Shalini, ever fickle, oscillates between him and a pining Vinayak. Vinayak, in turn, tries desperately to win the favour of Shalini's mother, Lakshmibai. Elsewhere, the local politician, Sajjanpur, tries winning an impossible election; Miranda, a sullen mortician, seeks answers from an ailing priest; and Sultan, the irascible grocer contents with an overfriend dog.
Tamasha in Bandargaon has brought R. K. Narayan-esque humour back.The residents of this town go through a mad medley of emotions that test every inch of their moral fiber. The troubles and travails of the people in the slum, the strange quirks and stupidities of the people in the apartment, the never say die spirit of the folks who run the gambling den and the tea stall; all this add up to a pacy narrative which is touching and makes you think about life and its eccentricities. The author touches every chord of the regular people like me and you - be their social, personal, professional, financial or emotional lives.
Jagannathan is wise in touching upon varied subjects, like politics — in the form of the firebrand politician Sitaram Sajjanpur of the National Workers Party whose sole aim is to be voted to power — to personal loss, like that faced by Lakshmibai’s childhood friend Geeta who did not have the gumption to take her romance with the temple pujari to the next level.
Of course, the book is all about people and a a whole gamut of emotions - jealousy, politics, joys and sorrows, ups and downs and trials and tribulations, it all adds up. The story proceeds with the plots woven somewhat detached, yet connected and completely coherent. There is a constant presence of the element of humour all through the book, that is simple, yet powerful. The novel essentially is a collection of stories on characters that belong to the same milieu, it does get a tad repetitive and over-the-top at some places. The 13 chapters become 13 different stories of various people in the town and the transitions between these chapters could have been more seamless. Despite this, the novel is an honest and successful attempt at highlighting our idiosyncrasies as a people.
I am going with 3.5/5 for Navneet Jagannathan's 'Tamasha in Bandargaon'. It's a confident debut by the author and i hope to read more in this genre. Going by the climax and the potential of the story, it will be worth to create a sequel to this one. But surpassing the quality of this one will be a major challenge. Do give it a shot, it is worth your time.
Tamasha in Bandargaon has brought R. K. Narayan-esque humour back.The residents of this town go through a mad medley of emotions that test every inch of their moral fiber. The troubles and travails of the people in the slum, the strange quirks and stupidities of the people in the apartment, the never say die spirit of the folks who run the gambling den and the tea stall; all this add up to a pacy narrative which is touching and makes you think about life and its eccentricities. The author touches every chord of the regular people like me and you - be their social, personal, professional, financial or emotional lives.
Jagannathan is wise in touching upon varied subjects, like politics — in the form of the firebrand politician Sitaram Sajjanpur of the National Workers Party whose sole aim is to be voted to power — to personal loss, like that faced by Lakshmibai’s childhood friend Geeta who did not have the gumption to take her romance with the temple pujari to the next level.
Of course, the book is all about people and a a whole gamut of emotions - jealousy, politics, joys and sorrows, ups and downs and trials and tribulations, it all adds up. The story proceeds with the plots woven somewhat detached, yet connected and completely coherent. There is a constant presence of the element of humour all through the book, that is simple, yet powerful. The novel essentially is a collection of stories on characters that belong to the same milieu, it does get a tad repetitive and over-the-top at some places. The 13 chapters become 13 different stories of various people in the town and the transitions between these chapters could have been more seamless. Despite this, the novel is an honest and successful attempt at highlighting our idiosyncrasies as a people.
I am going with 3.5/5 for Navneet Jagannathan's 'Tamasha in Bandargaon'. It's a confident debut by the author and i hope to read more in this genre. Going by the climax and the potential of the story, it will be worth to create a sequel to this one. But surpassing the quality of this one will be a major challenge. Do give it a shot, it is worth your time.
July 2, 2021
Synopsis: In the fictional suburb of Bandargaon, tucked away in Bombay, there’s never a quiet moment. Dreams erupt, hopes shatter, in the heaving sunrise apartments, by a rickety tea-cart Jinias Chai Hause, inside a seedy Jaanam Desi Bar, and by the dilapidated Purana Qila.
Chagan, the dashing hero, who shines like a film-star, spends hours wooing a beauteous Shalini. Shalini, ever fickle, oscillates between him and a pining Vinayak. Vinayak, in turn, tries desperately to win the favour of Shalini’s mother, Lakshmibai. Elsewhere, the local politician, Sajjanpur, tries winning an impossible election; Miranda, a sullen mortician, seeks answers from an ailing priest; and Sultan, the irascible grocer contends with an overfriendly dog.
Reminiscent of R. K. Narayan’s Malgudi Days, Tamasha In Bandargaon, with its interlinked stories, with its effortless dialogue and wry humour, is at once enriching and entertaining. In the young debut writer’s imaginary world, there’s sound, fury, and the distant glimmer of hope.
.
.
Each chapter of this book was a different short story, mainly about the life events of one of the characters.
.
In my view, the stories did not have much of a direct connection but because they took place one after the other and revolved around the same characters, they were interlinked.
.
This book was really simple and a light read. There were many instances of humour which made it fun to read.
.
The character building was really good. I liked the bold nature of Lakshmibai, 'Jugadu' Chagan and also the fiery Sajjanpur. All of the characters felt very real.
.
We always see this question 'Will you like this book as a movie or as a TV series?' but for this book, I feel that it will be really interesting to see it as a play in the theatre.
Chagan, the dashing hero, who shines like a film-star, spends hours wooing a beauteous Shalini. Shalini, ever fickle, oscillates between him and a pining Vinayak. Vinayak, in turn, tries desperately to win the favour of Shalini’s mother, Lakshmibai. Elsewhere, the local politician, Sajjanpur, tries winning an impossible election; Miranda, a sullen mortician, seeks answers from an ailing priest; and Sultan, the irascible grocer contends with an overfriendly dog.
Reminiscent of R. K. Narayan’s Malgudi Days, Tamasha In Bandargaon, with its interlinked stories, with its effortless dialogue and wry humour, is at once enriching and entertaining. In the young debut writer’s imaginary world, there’s sound, fury, and the distant glimmer of hope.
.
.
Each chapter of this book was a different short story, mainly about the life events of one of the characters.
.
In my view, the stories did not have much of a direct connection but because they took place one after the other and revolved around the same characters, they were interlinked.
.
This book was really simple and a light read. There were many instances of humour which made it fun to read.
.
The character building was really good. I liked the bold nature of Lakshmibai, 'Jugadu' Chagan and also the fiery Sajjanpur. All of the characters felt very real.
.
We always see this question 'Will you like this book as a movie or as a TV series?' but for this book, I feel that it will be really interesting to see it as a play in the theatre.
February 23, 2013
Life is a never ending experience. Trials and tribulations, ups and downs, joys and sorrows all script this wonderful saga of memories. Based in a fictional suburb of Bombay (named Bandargaon), Navneet Jagannathan’s first novel takes us through a journey of life – stories intertwined in spirit, insightful documentation of human nature and reminiscent of the Malgudi Days.
Tamasha in Bandargaon is a film waiting to be adapted on screen. Its honest approach towards epitomising Indian life is its USP. Navneet Jagannathan seals his place among one of the promising writers i will look forward to for his future works. The book can be best enjoyed while travelling on a long distance journey, via the Indian Railways. The experience of living the novel through various faces we come across on trains is unmatched.
Full Review - http://antorjatikbangali.wordpress.co...
Tamasha in Bandargaon is a film waiting to be adapted on screen. Its honest approach towards epitomising Indian life is its USP. Navneet Jagannathan seals his place among one of the promising writers i will look forward to for his future works. The book can be best enjoyed while travelling on a long distance journey, via the Indian Railways. The experience of living the novel through various faces we come across on trains is unmatched.
Full Review - http://antorjatikbangali.wordpress.co...
September 11, 2012
None of the characters stayed with me which says a lot about the book. The slum, the people, the story everything remained alien.The plot was too sloppy and filled with unwanted details. Details add to a story only if they are well presented and this book failed miserably on all accounts.
Not recommended
Not recommended
July 24, 2013
What Bakwaas!
November 24, 2016
This book is fun to read which kept me entertained and engaged.The author kept it clean and easy. The characters are excellent with element of surprise.
The book is humorous and entertaining.
The book is humorous and entertaining.
October 22, 2013
This is a light read. I read it primarily because of the Indian setting. Book is ok....
July 20, 2016
For a light reading. It has some situations which are funny. I am sure the author can do a better job in future books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews