An Indian Odyssey

by Martin Buckley

Martin Buckley travels from north-east India to Sri Lanka to recreate one of the great journeys in world literature — the Ramayana .

Myth, travelogue and holy writ, the Ramayana — the journey of Rama — is India’s best-loved book, an inspiration to schoolchildren, monks and movie-makers. It’s one of the world’s great epic tales, yet it is largely unread in the Western world. The story of a man searching savage jungles for his kidnapped wife, the Ramayana combines Heart of Darkness with the Odyssey . And, bizarrely, this violent and erotic account of a war between light and dark is at the heart of the fiercest controversy in contemporary Indian politics — one that has claimed over 10,000 lives.

In his book, Martin Buckley fulfils a dream — to retrace the route of Rama from his birthplace in north India to the climax of his confrontation with Evil in Sri Lanka. In doing so, he finds that the epic is as much a key to understanding India today as it was 3,000 years ago.

An Indian Odyssey is the story of a perilous passage through India by motorbike, microlight, bus and train. In the course of his physical and spiritual odyssey, Buckley witnesses death on the chaotic Great Trunk Road and passes through a war zone in Sri Lanka. A cast of mystics, Marxists, idealists and cynics — Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist — lays out the rich fabric of contemporary India and Sri Lanka, illuminated by the remarkable story of their past.

Genres: Travel, India, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Mainak Majumdar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pleasure reading the book, An Indian Odyssey by Martin Buckley. The book is a tale of the thoughts, the journey of the author and the story of the epic Ramayana. The author has puts his views on the spiritual plane, physical plane and also provided us the life of those yester-years, when digital media and print media has a huge competition. He spoke of his journey to Sri Lanka and his subsequent journey to India, moving across from South to North India. I personally feel that most of the book is dedicated to his journey and his thoughts of visiting places which are, one way or the other may have been connected to the Epic Ramayana. In the end Martin speaks about his understanding of Lord Rama and his thoughts around the same. I feel that the book is wonderfully written but at times, I had difficulty in taking my mind from one thought expressed to the other, since it’s a mix of his travel, his social life and the story Ramayana. So, the scenes changes from one to the other. I will personally give the rating 3 out of 5 for the book. Thanks once again.

(Mainak Majumdar)

[Abhilash Dhongdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you who feel appalled, saddened, let down, angered even by cursory attempts at a great Indian travelogue, this is the book for you.

The core theme centres around the original Valmiki’s Ramayana and while that is extremely well researched and portrayed, that, to me, isn’t what makes this a great read. It’s rather the wholehearted embrace of all that is Indian during his travels that stand out. Curiosity, patience, nuance and such takes centre stage. If Naipaul was a blunt force tool, this is the antithesis of it.

[Tansy Hepton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I toyed with 4 stars because this is a really interesting book, but I settled on 3 because I did find it a bit hard going at times. The re-telling of the Ramayana is excellent and I also thoroughly enjoyed the author's spiritual journey. The details of the actual journey were less compelling - although evocative of the place.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to understand the place of the Ramayana in Indian culture.

[Clive Walker]

Martin Buckley's incredibly well researched investigation into the possible realities that lie behind the Ramayana. He reproduces the tale of the Ramayana, interspersed with his own travels around the holy sites featured, in such a way that you find yourself hurriedly turning the pages to find out what happens next to Ram, Sita, Hanuman et al. Buckley's writing is detailed, intelligent and interesting. He presents a contemporary India with compassion and insight bringing a viewpoint that is sensitive yet unafraid to be controversial. The tragedy that has unfolded in Sri Lanka in recent years is followed almost from it's infancy and Buckley brings to life, in terrifying 3D, a modern horror that hardly seemed worthy of reaching the front pages in Europe and the US. A very good read, recommended for anybody at all interested in India, Mythology, Civil War or Travel. That would be everybody then right? Buy this book today!

[Aanjhan Ranganathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading through the book, I went through a sinusoidal wave of like and dislike which culminated with me ending up on the author's side. One can sense the typical English view of Indian subcontinent and its people (superiority complex of the Brits) in the first 100 pages. This is the part of the book you have to pass through if you are a staunch Hindu and then I am sure you will start connecting with the author.

Buckley covers a lot of topics ranging from the LTTE to Indian Independence to present day state of Indian media carefully in sync with the epic Ramayana as he he retraces the path of Lord Rama. A couple of facts that I came to know from this book are 1. "Ta-ta", a way bid goodbye is not Indian but British. 2. The word "Snooker" came into existence at the Ooty Club.

An Indian Odyssey indeed.

[Purabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say Buckley is honest about Indian politics, at times almost brutal, is an understatement but it opens one's eyes. He is fascinated by Ramayana, the Indian mythology of King Rama and his wanderings, and Buckley actually travels the same path that brings him to Sri Lanka. I found him very well-informed about Indian religions, politics, way of Indian life, the spirituality of the country whether it's found on a calm morning or in a cavernous temple. At times this book can be perceived as chaotic but that comes from the nature of the subject itself and Buckley's love for India shines through and makes it a powerful novel.

[Sankarshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super fast read about someone trying to get to the heart of the 'Ramayana' myth starting from Sri Lanka and thereon moving to Ayodhya. Quick inter-cuts of how the fascination of the author with the journey of Rama along with observations of a determined modern India make a nice and compelling read. There are witty one-liners, intended and unintended puns. This kind of book has its cousins and relatives from attempts by different authors. What makes it somewhat different is the lack of any slant from the author in terms of interpreting the Indian mystique and myths.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It took a bit to get into, but I like learning about India, from a foreign perspective.

[Rasaya Marimuthu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just got started a week ago. For a start, it is an intertwined saga of both the Sri Lankan conflict and the epic of Ramayana (the watered-down version, I might add).

[Leon Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Combination of Indian mythology and travelogue. Really enjoyed it. Helping me plan for my upcoming trip to India.

[Kapil Goel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had greater expectations from the book, but a a good insight on Ayodhya.