Bullocks from the West

by Na Muthuswamy

In the village of Punjai, the ordinary is magical in the eyes of Na Muthuswamy. Two bullocks arrive and a small boy with his little brother can’t wait to ride them until they’re broken in. He also remembers the oldest woman, the mystique of a widow who emerges like a ghost from the village pond every day. Then there is the delusional old man who sits at the tea stall for hours telling stories about the Chola court. And there is the devadasi Panchali, too, who volunteers to play Draupadi in a ritual disrobing at the temple.

Na Muthuswamy’s prose shines for his brilliant gaze, his ability to capture detail and create memorable characters and atmospherics.

The book ends with his iconic play England about the inequality that followed in India Independence; freedom came but not to all.

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2018

Reviews

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waterness ಸಂಕಲನದ ಕತೆಗಳಿವೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಹೊರತುಪಡಿಸಿದರೆ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಸಂಕಲನ. ಒಂದು ನಾಟಕವೂ ಇದೆ.
ಎತ್ತಿನ ಗಾಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತು ಹಳೆಯ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಪಯಣ ಹೋದ ಹಾಗೆ, ಬಿಸಿಲಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಯಾರಿ ಬಂದವ ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಕುಡಿದ ಹಾಗೆ..

[Pacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical, dreamy, mind bending yet minimalistic - it’s an experience - read it and am eager to read and watch more of Na Muthuswamy !!