Master O

by Dhiraj Singh

Somewhere in the future a new species of elephants has learnt the secrets of time. They now have the power not only to alter physical reality but also to change people's ways of looking at the world. One of these elephants believes he is the Buddha Vajradhara destined to bring about massive changes in the world.

Vajradhara uses his powers to change things at the very top beginning with people who have the greatest influence; those who have the eyes and ears of the whole nation. A Prime Minister. A Minister of Emotions. A top TV host. And Master O, a godman with millions of followers across the world.

Will the mutant Vajradhara achieve his mission? Find out in this superbly told saga of modern India.

243 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2022

About the author

DHIRAJ SINGH is an artist, writer, journalist & documentary filmmaker whose debut novel ‘MASTER O’ brilliantly imagines the future where the rule of men is overthrown by a species of mutant elephants who can change physical reality.
He also has an arts column called #ArtIsEverywhere with NDTV-Mojarto. Before 'Master O' he has authored two books—one on translated poetry and the other a biography. His book of translated poems by Jnanpith awardee Saumitra Saxena is called ‘I Like To Wash My Face With Seawater’. The other book is called ‘A Life in Two Lanes’ and it is a biography of Uma Jain, the first woman art gallerist in India and also one of the first woman Supreme Court lawyers of India. Dhiraj is currently Director Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Institute & Department of Media & Communication at MIT World Peace University in Pune.

Reviews

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master O by Dhiraj Singh is an optimistic and creative look into the future, and it is full of profound issues about right and wrong that will keep readers pondering long after they have finished the book. In this sci-fi thriller, Dhiraj Singh takes readers on an epic journey into the future. He stems from an idea that is at the same time thought-provoking, insane, and very tangible. That is probably the reason why the story is so scary.

The story is about the arrogance of people trying to copy God by creating a life with the assistance of technology. This is a really interesting topic. The end effect is always catastrophic and fatal in nature. The foundation of author Dhiraj Singh's first approach to this subject matter is the concept of vivisectional studies being conducted on animals at a remote location. It took several tests until a fully developed and entirely unique species came to be known as the Ibhari, which was named after the Sanskrit word for elephant ('Ibh'). I-42 was the first member of the mutant species to be discovered. He was the culmination of the efforts of a team of researchers who aspired to create something that had previously only been dreamt of but was never believed to be achievable.

The events of the novel take place at some point in the distant future, where a whole new species of elephant has deciphered the secrets of time. They now have the ability to modify reality as well as affect people's perceptions of the world around them. One of these elephants, I-42, is now under the impression that he is the Vajradhara, Buddha of the Thunderbolt, and that he has the power to drive forth significant shifts in the way the world operates. Starting with the most powerful individuals in the country, such as the prime minister and a top TV host, Vajradhara exploits his powers to bring change at the highest levels. One of his targets is Master O, a well-known godman who is followed by millions of people in every region of the world. Master O had several capabilities. One of them was the ability to carry on conversations with other individuals inside their minds.

The novel Master O by Dhiraj Singh raises serious questions regarding the future of mankind and our place in the universe. Pain and cruelty, moral responsibility, human identity, and human interference with nature are relevant subjects in today's time. The book explores a variety of themes, the most prominent of which are the ethics of animal experimentation and the infliction of pain on test subjects. However, it also discusses the cross processes of evolution and degeneration, the character of the human who would play God, in addition to the deplorable artificial lives that he "creates."

The plot is very captivating and easy to follow, but still has lots of mystery. There are amazing moments in the book that make you really think and moments that stick with you like one of your own memories. The underlying message is that we must be aware of the repercussions of our scientific endeavors. To have any hope for the future, we need to use our technologies in a responsible manner. It is interesting to note that Dhiraj Singh chooses to wrap up his tale with the idea of hope, not because there is any justification for it, but rather because it is impossible to survive without it. This finishes the cycle of Pandora's box, which was opened out of curiosity, releasing all of the world's terrors yet allowing humanity to suffer its destiny.

[Kevin Mallik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master O: An Epic of the Future by Dhiraj Singh is a futuristic suspense thriller with an exciting cast of characters. The novel is purely a work of fiction, laced with high-level imagination. Despite everything new in it, the core essence of the plot deals with political turmoil and chaos following some experiments went untoward.

Though the novel has many characters who nudge its story ahead, yet Master O is matchless. He is charming. He learnt the deepest secrets of life that a normal human can never think of. He is like a godman with an ability to be present at many places at the same time.
The nation is facing conflict against trouble makers. The enemy is powerful. They are Ibharis. They are elephants that can think way better than humans. They are equipped with something great that is AI. But why they seek revenge against a nation, its people, and especially government? That’s another story!!

Ibharis are led by I-42, a sort of Buddha Vajradhara, who wants to bring change in the world. They want to convey their messages and bring changes through the prominent figures of the nation like Master O. His characterization is apt, like a superstar, evident from his tenacity and views on everything. But he is far than what he looks – he holds the key to climax. Readers need to be attentive as to understand whether he is with humans or elephants?

The novel is entirely different than the contemporary genres. Dhiraj’s control over language is superb. If you are bored of stereotype genres, try this novel. It will surely take you to some other world, transcending all sorts of prototypes.

[Booxoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Be it any era, Karma and its cycles are as mystic and mesmerizing as they have been for aeons of time. It is that cycle that not only makes the future, it also determines the true course of action that will eventually transpire, collating all that was, is and will ever be an existential reality. The trick lies in understanding and comprehending the different facets of its actions and adapting them to the best interests of all present.”

Indeed, Karma is what makes the future, it is what actually is responsible for keeping the balance intact of all the happenings in the world. Be it any Yug or Kaal, in any era, the fruit of one’s actions has to be necessarily borne by the doer himself regardless of whether he likes it or not. If you have consciously or otherwise harmed or done something which happens to be detrimental to the other, you have to remain prepared to face the music for it. That is an eventuality as it is nature’s way of maintaining the true equilibrium by giving one the fruits of one’s doings through the cycle of Karma.
Wondering why I am discussing this today? Well, I am pretty stoked by my last read which has not only entwined and interconnected a lot of genres and concepts like science fiction, spirituality, dystopia and fantasy but has given me an altogether new tangent to think upon. Master O by Dhiraj Singh is a fiction which albeit having been classified as sci-fi, suspense is more like a canvas which has several layers to it, each one revealing hues of another form altogether. Packed with an exciting array of characters, this futuristic peek into the future is a plot that will surely stay with you, even long after you have finished reading it. In fact, if truth be told, I felt absolutely smitten, being drawn away into the vortex called Master O, delving deeper and deeper into the multiple chasms the writer has managed to create through this one.

To be honest, when I started reading this one, the initial 20-25 pages were pretty slow. In fact, to be honest I felt kind of dragged through, reading through the tete-a-tete between Master O and Ake. I actually at that point felt that it was a bit single-toned and perhaps I might not be able to complete this one, such was the monotony. However, little did I realize that this one was a highly addictive narrative which was all set and poised, to cast its charm on me, once I happened to cross that threshold.

Remember, how once Alice slips and gets down the rabbit hole the story became so brilliantly fast-paced and engaging that there was no dearth of thrill and excitement beyond? Well, exactly my point with this one. As soon as the story proceeded beyond the point I mentioned earlier, not only did the whole thing become labyrinthine, fast-paced and twisted, it had so much to give by way of each and every character, every sub-plot per see.

So, what happens when experiments turn untoward? How about the fact that we humans who seem to be downright arrogant and full of ourselves are always hell-bent on trying to copy God and become the Supreme ourselves? Agreed, with the insanely upgrading technological advancements every second, we are slowly but surely proceeding towards a time and space where we seem to be harbouring a strange, unyielding power to even meddle with nature. Yet, it is essential to ponder the repercussions of these actions. Are they necessary in the first place? Or they are simply uncalled for, just abetting and adhering to another of the false tendencies that yes, indeed, we are supreme and nobody or nothing can override us, not even the Creator himself?

With this story, Dhiraj has put across a subtle nudge to these profound yet debatable questions, bringing forth issues which do exist but in the race towards an uber-technological advancement, we have been blatantly ignoring.

Take the character of “Ibharis” for instance. Being equipped with AI, these elephants, which are a future species, still seem to be harbouring the idea of punishing humans for their wrongdoings. So, exactly my point yeah. First and foremost, the character creation itself is so magnificent and out of the box. Secondly, the profound importance Dhiraj attaches to each and every aspect he has created in this work brings light to some extremely serious questions about mankind, its future as well as where we as humans eventually tend to stand in the future. Playing with nature, interfering in evolution and genesis is definitely a subject matter of grave concern (a cardinal sin if you were to ask extremists). Dhiraj has subtly yet very surely put forth the idea of how when pain is inflicted, even in animals what eventually can it lead to? Any being who is prone to pain should not be subject to it. If there is advancement, there is technological progression, then it needs to be also handled responsibly as any wrong handling can lead to fatalities and travesties for not only mankind but the entire races of living beings that continue to exist within our universe as well as beyond its realms.

So, coming back to this rabbit’s hole (yeah, that is what I have been calling it since I finished it and put it down) I must seriously take a moment to compliment the brilliant style of writing that Dhiraj has used in this piece as even though being written in simple, clear tones, this one goes a very long way in establishing the ideas he has put forth in a deep-set manner. This is not your usual contemporary meets sci-fi or fantasy genre, rather it is a different sort of writing, compelling yet unsettling, relatable yet insane.

Master O’s character too had me completely mesmerized. The way he has been portrayed as a godman, being followed by millions of people, and the gift he had of being able to hold conversations with other people right inside their minds was fascinating. Like I said previously, each and every character has been splayed across beautifully with the most intricate detailing taking readers to a rigmarole of a brilliant path of imagination.

A great sci-fi, fantasy read, bookmark this one on your next TBR if you want to prepare yourself to be lost in the pursuit of discovering profound, noteworthy facets through a modicum of a parallel sort of space-time continuum where all is scary, intense yet deeply fascinating and educating.
So, hope you guys liked my thoughts on the book Master O by Dhiraj Singh. Stay tuned for the latest in the field of entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, fashion, finance, tech and gadgets as well as all things bookish.
Adios Amigos!

[Tasnima Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enticing though chilling, exhilarating but whacky and hyperrealistic, yet deeply embedded in the realism of the mysterious nature of human existence in the universe, Master O is a futuristic novel with a twist.

It is a mix of futurism, thriller, and suspense with a plot that is based on seemingly innocent creatures who have taken up greater responsibility on their shoulders to set human history right. So, while this history and its mysteries unfold at a moderate pace, the plot turns and bends at varied junctures to churn our incidents and characters that will resonate with the Indian audience at multiple levels.

This has a lot to do with the politics of representation and representative politics that are significant to the contemporary Indian scenario.

In this sense, Master O is highly revolutionary and thrusts its points through a circumlocutory manner and in understated tones which only goes on to highlight the depth of thought that has gone into the making of this book.

This is also reflected in the book cover which comes with a look that will immediately strike a chord with readers who love sci-fi or futuristic novels, and are tech-savvy, but also with readers who have watched the Matrix trilogy.


Master O An epic of the future by Dhiraj Singh Book Review
The cover, surprisingly states in the subtitle of the novel that it is an epic of the future which is not to be taken as a loosely used term for the book balances well between the classical usage of the term and its modern implications in creating a whole new world of fiction that is at once eerie, fascinating, frightening and relatable.

It is perhaps this mix of emotions that creates a reading experience at par with writers like HG Wells and JK Rowling in terms of rattling the senses and uniqueness in being innovative. The storyline revolves around a group of species who are akin to elephants who live somewhere in the future and have stumbled upon the secret of time and time travelling.

This makes them meddle with time and enter and exit time zones, which gives them a sense of power and privilege of being able to control that which is not to be seen yet felt so deeply in everyone’s lives.

One of the elephants is under the notion that he is Buddha Vajradhara and takes it upon himself to fulfil his self-claimed destiny of bringing about radical changes in the world order that will affect the functioning of the world.

His target is the elite and powerful who throughout decades, times, and ages have gone away without accountability. These are also the same people who have a lot of influence over the masses like political leaders such as the Prime Minister, The Minister of Emotions, or a Television show host to name a few. Of these targeted characters is Master O who is a self-proclaimed Godman that the mutant Buddha Vajradhara wants to bring under his control and expose the ill practices of Master O.


Master O An epic of the future by Dhiraj Singh Book
This is the central conflict in the plot and Master O seems to be posed as the chief character and a mix of a hero and anti-hero, someone who is omnipotent of sorts and has many charms up his sleeves.

Most of all, he has the ability to learn the secrets of humankind and life in general. The major climax comes in the form of the villains who are known as the Ibharis. They are a breed of elephants who have higher intellect than humans but the major plot twist rests in the reason behind the need for elephants to take revenge on humans.

This is what builds up the suspense and takes the novel to a higher dimension with a fantastic writing style. The vocabulary is on point, the descriptions are vivid and the ideas are highly innovative.

The only drawback is that there are too many characters scattered throughout the novel and it calls for an attentive though exciting reading session.

At 243 pages, the book is moderately lengthy and calls to be devoured in sittings.

[Abhay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dhiraj Singh's 'Master O: An Epic of the Future' is a rare gem in the realm of Indian science fiction, seamlessly weaving together the threads of GODMEN, POLITICS, and KARMA against a backdrop of technological intrigue and AI dominance. At the heart of this narrative is Master O, an extraordinary mutant elephant created in a lab, wielding superpowers capable of challenging the very foundations of power held by mankind.

The story unfolds with the confession of Ake on live TV, a character whose scandalous revelations are both captivating and thought-provoking. Master O, with his idiosyncratic nature, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, while characters like Zulfikar and the Ibharis bring an element of fear and misunderstanding that persists until the very end.

The reviewer expresses enjoyment of Ake's character, noting the scandalous yet impactful confession. The anticipation of a potential conflict between Homo Sapiens and other mutants in the animal kingdom adds a layer of complexity to the storyline, raising questions about humanity's selfishness and the consequences of playing with nature.

The narrative is praised for its unpredictability, with twists and turns introduced through characters like Lovely Bagga, Dr. Bagga, Sashimi, the Akeans, and Lissie's revelation about Dholkia and three Prime Ministers. The reviewer acknowledges moments of uncertainty, wondering about the direction of the plot amid the surge of new developments and characters.

The turning point comes with the realization that the stories within the book don't adhere to traditional beginnings or ends. Instead, they form intricate patterns and crossings, mirroring the unpredictable nature of life. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to guide them through the story like the mutant Vajradhara, paralleling Ake's understanding that creation often requires breaking something first.

The review concludes with applause, acknowledging the author's journey through the narrative and likening it to the transformative process of creation. The final quote emphasizes the theme of stories shaping individuals, suggesting that Dhiraj Singh has truly become the embodiment of the story crafted within 'Master O.' In essence, the novel is hailed as a thrilling and introspective saga that explores the complexities of human nature, societal dynamics, and the pursuit of meaning in a rapidly changing world."

I enjoyed read it and is recommended for all✨

[Vinita Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Variously described as Sci-Fi, futuristic, Dystopia, 'Master O', Dhiraj Singh's debut novel breaks many stereotypes. A brilliantly told saga of events that lead to breaking walls and building bridges through linear space and inner space. There are nuanced and multi layered characters whose lives unfolds as the plot thickens.
The story explores the inner recesses of the mind and one is reminded of ' Inception' as we are taken in and out of inner space. Master O tells Ake, the Narrator-Protagonist, "the fascination of our times is to know what people are thinking- to know every thought that passes through the head of others". Ake, the Ace anchor discovers that talking with Master O is like talking with many people at the same time. Master O, who had the ability to be at more than one place at a time ekes out a confession from Ake, that turns the tables on Ake. It is no wonder that Master O becomes the Prime Minister of the nation because he is someone who knows the innermost secrets of people.
The novel also explores the manifestations and repercussions of experiments on animals, when they get awry. The Blue Lab, top secret facility for creating thinking animals to usher in a new civilization ends up creating the Ibharis who hold the whole nation to ransom. Their leader, much like the Vajradhara Buddha has the ability to convey his story directly into the minds of those around him.
By the time you come to the end of the novel you are gripped with ' what next'.
Read on to find out...
Well done Dhiraj Singh. Looking forward to more from your pen.

[Charlottewc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Enjoyed Ake’s character a lot, his confession on live TV was scandalous but hard hitting too. Master O & his idiosyncratic nature was intriguing & Zulfikar with the Ibharis were scary & misunderstood right till the end. For some reason I felt it was going to become a Homo Sapiens V/S the rest of the mutants we’ve created in the animal kingdom trying to teach us all a lesson back, about how selfish we’ve been. I felt Master O was going to be the moderator trying to help us understand ourselves & one another better & make the world a better place. Before which I thought it was Ake being cut down to size by Master O, for always being someone so judgmental (like a cocky journalist) who had been bringing others down & exposing them on his show & never unlearning or learning something himself. But you kept shifting the goalposts & kept bringing in new players like Lovely Bagga & Dr. Bagga & Sashimi, the Akeans & Lissie’s discovery about Dholkia & 3 Prime ministers. I was thinking where is this going & am I going to keep up with the surge of new developments & players coming in at breakneck speed when you said, ”You know, our stories don’t have a beginning or an end. Nothing but big patterns that become crossings, yet we try.. Big and small. Gifted and ungifted. We will try to find some meaning in them. In the end we become our stories.” Well… You’ve become your story & you took me on a tripp through it like the mutant Vajradhara. Like Ake I understand that to create something, something needs to be broken. One has to be broken in order to be created. 👏🏽

[HunarTV Webchannel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a phenmenal book! Handles the genre of sci-fi, Indian spirituality and current affairs with an unparalleled skill of keeping it all together and yet focussed on the core message of goodness.