The Wizard Swami

by Cyril Dabydeen

A finely observed comedy of manners, this novel presents an imaginative and poetic play on the symbols of Hinduism in a secular and cosmopolitan society. Devan, a teacher of Hinduism to rural Indians, finds his life turned upside down when he leaves his village and family and heads to the urban, cosmopolitan capital of Georgetown, Guyana. In a city that is ethnically diverse, he meets members of the wealthy and politically cynical Indian elite—an experience at odds with the ardent simplicities of his teaching—Devan is exposed to the dangers of religion when it is made to serve the needs of ethnic assertion. With a blend of humor and sobering insight, this novel explores the friction between religious fundamentalism and cosmopolitanism.

145 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1985

About the author

Cyril Dabydeen has written poetry, short stories, and novels, and has edited A Shapely Fire: Changing the Literary Landscape and Another Way to Dance: Contemporary Asian Poetry in Canada and the U.S. His poetry and fiction have appeared in Canada, the US, the UK, India, and the Caribbean, and been anthologized in many places. He has been recommended for a Journey Prize and a National Magazine Award.

Reviews

[Preeti Peony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deven is the protagonist of the novel who is staunch Hindu and practices his religion being far away from his country. Deven's desire to become a swami and preach about Hinduism is the central theme of the novel around which several characters and intermittent stories are woven in the novel. Deven's decision changed his life and life of his family which includes his wife and children.
It is to be noted that being far away from India, the diasporic community wanted to remain in touch with the native nation and do not give up their religion, morals and ethics. Furthermore, they (Bhairam, and Deven) wanted to create a replica of Indian Hindu community in Guinea for this purpose education became their tool.
The religion, politics and social hierarchy angles are presented by the writer in dull and mundane manner.The narrative of the novel is not interesting and engaging. The novel lacks the turn and highpoint in its narrative; towards the climax, it almost becomes a predictable text.
If you are interested in reading about Indian diasporic community, it can be read.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slight. Not much of a story and not very memorably written. It could have been a short story and might have worked but, as a novella, it feels as though one idea has been spread very thin. Devan (the Swami) comes from a peasant society in Guyana but he doesn't want to work and fancies himself to be a religious man. He somehow gets picked up by a succession of 'benefactors' who promote him way beyond his abilities and after he has failed in teaching and politics he becomes a race horse trainer. The cover blurb describes it as a comedy, but I didn't find it funny at all. It's a very pale imitation of VS Naipaul's The Mystic Masseur (which is both funny and well-written). I'm being kind to give this book 2 stars. I didn't absolutely hate it, but it shouldn't have got into print at all, really, as it is amateurish and the idea is insufficiently well developed.