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Love’s complexion and complexity


Book Review

Anshu Bhojnagarwala’s Tara is a fast-paced novella which deals with the themes of love and self-actualisation. Tara is a scrawny, dark-complexioned creature of just 2.2 kg when she is born. In spite of having affectionate and supportive parents, Tara grows up to inherit a complex about her dark skin, thanks to a society that sets much store by fairness creams. She faces some rejection from individuals whom she tries to befriend. As a young woman, Tara wants to marry and be a mother but is not able to find a suitor, again, due to her complexion. Then she gives up the chase and becomes a teacher.

Himanshu walks into her life as the guardian of a student. Love happens. Tara discovers romance but only to be soon disappointed. Himanshu disappears. Eventually she discovers that he has reached the dream world of London where he forges a new alliance. That is an unnerving rejection for Tara.

Tara is practical enough to get on with life. She agrees to the arranged marriage with Nikhil who turns out to be a good husband. Tia is born to them. Though a facsimile of her mother physically, Tia is confident about herself. The darkness of her complexion doesn’t bother her a bit.

Years later, as menopause catches up with Tara, Himanshu returns. His marriage was not successful. Tara’s heart skips a beat too many. How does she deal with the situation? What does she learn about love as well as herself? That’s the most interesting part of this novella.

Anshu Bhojnagarwala
While the issue of complexion is trivial to those who can think beyond that, it can make life miserable for one who feels insecure about oneself. Why do you feel insecure anyway? What is real beauty? Does the complexion matter at all if you know who you are and what you are capable of? What does love mean actually?

These are some pertinent questions raised and answered by Anshu Bhojnagarwala in this short book. It is a very simple story narrated in a very straightforward style which makes it very easy to read. The questions it raises are relevant and thought-provoking.

Love is not attainable in its ideal form. No one can love unconditionally and in abstraction. Love is an acceptance of the other as he or she is. Even in that acceptance there are many practical considerations. Too much of idealism can kill simple loves though it may generate some kind of universal love that goes out to whole sections of people. Anshu Bhojnagarwala explores these interesting issues in her short but gripping narrative.

The book can be downloaded here.

Comments

  1. Sachin BaikarJuly 15, 2018 at 4:04 PM

    Nice review 👍 Sounds interesting.
    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. pushpendra dwivediJuly 15, 2018 at 9:56 PM

    interesting review

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rakhi JayashankarJuly 16, 2018 at 5:34 AM

    You have never failed to surprise me. Is there anything in the world of words that you have not mastered.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jyotirmoy SarkarJuly 16, 2018 at 10:13 AM

    Very nice and potential review sir, its not only the fairness cream adv. its also the mobile apps which has big contribution in making the complexion fair.
    Its really an important issue to be discussed and the author has gone for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJuly 16, 2018 at 9:43 PM

      Some of the most beautiful people I've come across don't have fair skin. I wish people understood themselves.

      Delete
  5. Anshu BhojnagarwalaJuly 16, 2018 at 11:34 AM

    Wow...I am completely floored by this review, Tomichan and humbled too. Thanks for reading the story and understanding the underlying intent so well. This has made my day, especially a blue rain-soaked Monday!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJuly 16, 2018 at 9:45 PM

      It's pouring cats and dogs here in Kerala, Anshu. :)

      Delete
  6. Hindi SudhaNovember 29, 2018 at 1:55 PM

    Very Nice. I appreciate it

    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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