As a Child Sees
Sat Sep 14 2013
Book: The Sergeant's Son
Author: Ashim Choudhury
Publisher: Rupa
Price: Rs 250
Pages: 244
Kalu, the protagonist of Ashim Choudhury's The Sergeant's Son, is a keen observer, and as he becomes the voice of the first few chapters, you get a child's perspective of a military camp in Kalina, Bombay. We learn that Kalu's family has made this difficult shift to a thriving metropolis from eastern India, that he is as close to his mother as he is distant from his father and that his interests lie in art, much to the disdain of his father, who wants him to join the Air Force. Choudhury's recreation of this little boy's world is filled with amazement and charm.
The Sergeant's Son revolves around this six-member family, Sergeant Samar Biswas, his wife Basanti and their four children, Kalu being the third. The narrative is peppered with endearing anecdotes, and one in particular stands out for containing the winning ingredient of the book — glimpses into a child's mind. During their stay in Bombay, the Biswas children are introduced to their uncle from Assam and his German wife. They are excited about meeting a white lady and their feverish wonder to see her draped in a sari is palpable. When the father dismisses their excited whispers by calling her a "daughter of an ordinary worker" in Germany, you can sense their disappointment.
As the story progresses, Kalu's familiar world disappears in his struggle. His family moves to Allahabad, which is a stark contrast to Bombay. The only constant is Kalu's timid aspiration to become an artist. Basanti constantly tries to save him from his father's wrath, which arises from his own thwarted ambitions. This is a familiar set-up and we yearn to see Kalu's own perspective and understanding. Here, the narrative is lost in a web of its own making as it tries to tie up ends introduced earlier.
Much of the story is probably autobiographical, as Choudhury himself reluctantly joined the Air Force in the 1970s. It is during his training in Bangalore that the idea for the book came along. The last few chapters in The Sergeant's Son take a tumultuous turn, leaving room for a sequel. If it can retain the sensitivity and simplicity of the original, Choudhury's future work will be something to look forward to.
Sergeant’s Son---A Review by Ex-Sergeant NS Choudhary
ReplyDeleteThis book is divided in to two part; Part- I is related to childhood of Kalu whose father is a Sergeant serving in erstwhile Air Force of sixties. The author vividly expresses petty joys and miseries faced by Kalu while staying with his parents in Military Camp at Bombay. Description of life inside the camp looks so natural and true that one will feel deeply involved in it, specially if he is a serving airman or ex. At times the psychology of a child is so well described that the author gives an impression as if he is a master of the subject. Usage of familiar terms and words give you a “this is for you” feeling for the book. Then one day Kalu’s father is posted out to Allahabad and you enter into Part-II.
The second part brings Kalu out of the camp life but takes him to a rented house in a civil locality at Allahabad. Kalu is now growing up and attaining his adulthood. He comes across many adventures and unpleasant experience of real life. His passion for painting not approved by his strict father often makes him sad. At the end Kalu is unwillingly forced to join Air Force. End of the book is very touching with the lines “All the boy had asked for in life was a pen or a paintbrush. Instead, thrust upon him was a rifle with a bayonet.”