When I first saw this title on Uthaya Sankar SB’s Facebook
wall, I had no idea it was “panchayat”
as in the rural subjected Tamil movies I’ve watched over the years. Imagine my
surprise! Panchayat: Edisi Khas (2012) becomes my first real Bahasa Malaysia novel, besides those condensed ones I had
read during school days.
As chapters run in from the different
points of view of characters, I saw a bit of myself in each of the characters
and realised also that I see many of these characters in my everyday living.
Uthaya proves that an author must not only write well, but sculpt, design and
paint as well! Such awesomely created characters! What I like best about his
style is that he allows me to evaluate the characters based on my understanding
without him being the judge; though being the creator.
I referred to this novel as a “movie”
to some friends. How can I not? Every second I was reading, there was a movie
unconsciously being played at the back of my mind. Such detailed descriptions
of the characters; now I have an image for each character stuck to my head.
Their personalities; Uthaya did not say it per se, rather he showed it all
throughout the story. Eventually, this made me go back to previous pages for
checks and got me thinking a lot. The storyline is so coherently organised that
I was forced to keep reading the subsequent chapters.
If you’re looking for a light read, I
suggest you don’t do this book. Panchayat:
Edisi Khas is a thinking man’s treasure. With an array of themes, ethics,
perspectives, and insights dished out, this will not be a lazy read. That being
said, I love the way he tells such a dense story effortlessly with much ease
and simplicity in language. Anyone can read it with understanding at surface
level; but whether or not you grasp the depth of the story is a different
question all together. Here and there, I noticed tinges of sarcasm that
inadvertently reminded me of real-life situations.
Filled with cultural notions, I
thought it to be a great venue for readers of other cultures to get to know the
Indian culture (or Hindu at certain parts) more closely. I also loved the way
he named each chapter aptly; with 'Ahimsa', 'Thandira Nari', 'Maramanden', 'Attan',
'Mulastanam', 'Mundani', 'Trisula', 'Kaali Devi' and
'Madurai Kaala' being some of my favourites.
This novel is to be read with an open
mind. No expectations. No presumptions. Symbolic. Metaphorical. Brilliantly
written. Meticulously planned. Boldly illustrated.
[Panchayat: Edisi Khas was serialised in Free Malaysia Today before published by
the author in book form. This review by Patricia Rose Anne Clement was published in Free Malaysia Today on 11 October 2012.]