14 நாட்கள் [14 Naatkal]

by Sujatha

1972-ல் இந்தியாவுக்கும் பாகிஸ்தானுக்கும் நடந்த பதினாலு நாள் போரை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்ட கதை. இந்திய விமானப் படையின் ஸ்க்வாட்ரன் லீடர் குமார் கிழக்கு பாகிஸ்தான் மீது குண்டு வீசச் செல்கிறான். அப்போது அவனது விமானம் சுட்டு வீழ்த்தப்பட்டு எதிரிகள் முகாமில் சிறைப்படுகிறான். இந்தியர்களை முழுவதும் வெறுக்கும் ஒரு பாகிஸ்தானிய ராணுவ அதிகாரியிடம் சிக்கிக்கொள்ளும் அவன் கதி என்னவாகிறது? இந்திய விமானப் படையின் டெக்னிக்கல் சமாசாரங்களைத் துல்லியமாக விவரிக்கும் இக்கதையின் ஆதாரக் கருத்து யுத்தமல்ல. அதன் இடையே மிளிர்ந்த மனித நேயம். இது குமுதம் இதழில் தொடராக வந்தது.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sujatha was the allonym of the Tamil author S. Rangarajan, Author of over 100 novels, 250 short stories, ten books on science, ten stage plays, and a slim volume of poems. He was one of the most popular authors in Tamil literature, and a regular contributor to topical columns in Tamil periodicals such as Ananda Vikatan, Kumudam and Kalki. He had a wide readership, and served for a brief period as the editor of Kumudam, and has also written screenplays and dialogues for several Tamil movies.

As an engineer, he supervised the design and production of the electronic voting machine (EVM) during his tenure at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a machine which is currently used in elections throughout India. As an author he inspired many authors, including Balakumaran, Madhan.

Reviews

[Ananya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic but glorious war tale, a bit heavily descriptive on some pages but that's excusable because Sujatha needed to show evidence of all the research he had done about fighter planes and the whole shenanigan of the eponymous 14 day Battle of the Padma River. The characters are so well written, even for some of them despite their limited appearance (eg. Asim, the righteous Pakistani soldier). It's a very heart rendering tale with patriotism as its soul and I loved it. Would definitely read it again!

[The Balaji · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is about an Indian Airforce Pilot who fights 1973 Indo-Pak war. During his sortie, his aircraft creates some irreparable trouble and followingly he ejects and lands in East Pakistan (modern Bangladesh) where he's caught in the hands of Pakistan Army. The story further goes about how he was thrashed at Pak Army's hands and how he finally makes his way towards home.

The reader who knows nothing about Airforce and warfare will get a minute idea about the same apart from enjoying the story. Like any Sujatha's novel, this one will not bore you although it is not the best of his works.

[Rathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novel about an Indian war pilot who gets caught inside enemy lines during the 14 day war in Bangladesh between India and Pakistan. Sujatha seems to have done a lot of research into the airplanes used for combat, the language used by the defence personnel etc. While this contributes to the authenticity of the events, it also makes a difficult read. But, it is Sujatha. And in my opinion he can make even grocery lists seem interesting. Hence the 4 stars.

[Sivakumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It brings you the live scenario of 1972 INDIA - PAKISTAN war. Its about Squadr0n Leader Kumar, whose flight got shot down by the Pakistan Army and what happens next is beautifully written by Sujatha. Simple narration and a simple book filled with emotions. Finished it within a day. Nice read it was.

[Karthik Padmarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings the army scenes in front of your eyes .. vivid descriptions

அருமை

[Sriram Tawker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story is based on 14 day war which happened between India - Pakistan in 1972. Very interesting storyline and narrated really well. One more interesting plot and story from Sujatha

[P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Shoot the boys & keep the girls !"

14 Naatkal represents the India-Pakistan war that took place in 1972 in East Pakistan/Bengal that lasted for 14 days ! After giving a sharp picture of the overall war scenario , the novel zooms into the Battle of Padma that lasted for 3 hours and 18 minutes.

Alternating between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the arresting narrative leaves no detail untold ( we even get to know the minute details of artilleries, aircrafts and the dark jungles & swamplands of Bangladesh) .

14 days is simultaneously a gripping action thriller (with the plane chase, war sequences, etc) and a brilliant chronicler of the human lives during that period.

It reminded me painfully of the most haunting movie I'd ever seen - Casualties of War. The violence inflicted upon the natives is beyond terrifying.

It has also prompted me to learn the detailed history of India on which hitherto I'm shamefully ignorant.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

War novel based on indo-pak war in Bangladesh. Its a gripping novel and kept the pace and tension till end. Probably manirathnam's Katruveliyidai (just a portion) might have inspired by this novel. Indian army is glorified and pak army is shown as dishonorable which i felt little inappropriate and highly biased.

[Krishnakumar Tk · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Tamil novels I ever read. I am sure no one other than Sujatha could write such an interesting story with so many technical details in simple language. An extraordinary story from a great author.

[Vijay Krishnan A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished it in about a day. An interesting setting, chose this book in order to get to know the feel during 1971 war. Plot is straightforward, and the chapters - crisp and to the point. A good read and you can finish it within a couple of hours - that's the beauty of Sujatha.

[Nandu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book 14 Natkal is about Indian navy fighting with pakistan army to save a Indian army guy who got trapped into pakistan army and get ruined. Though this genre is action kind sujatha has tried his best to narrate so interestingly.. (Being sujatha fan I cant let him down anywhere ;) ... Good read

[Irungovel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pathinalu Naatkal...!

What a Fentastic Novel!!!!
My Grant Salute to the Author Shri Sujatha and my Indian Defence Heroes.

But a number Proof Mistakes spoil the Story. Please correct every Proof Mistakes.
Thanks to the Legend Sujatha.

[Umesh Kesavan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tries to bring the India-Pak battlefield of 1971 alive.