The gripping book “He Who Rides a Tiger” by Bhabani Bhattacharya is set in post-independence India and examines the complexities of social and political upheaval at that time. The protagonist of the tale is Sandipan, an intelligent and aspirational young man from modest beginnings. He enters politics and joins the party of corrupt and ruthless politician Keshab Sen, driven by his desire for success and power. Sandipan quickly climbs the party ladder using his cunning methods, sacrificing his integrity and betraying his former allies in the process. Sandipan develops a romantic bond with the smart and attractive Gayatri while travelling. However, Sandipan’s unyielding ambition and his willingness to use others for his own gain taint their relationship.
Sandipan gets caught up in a web of lies and corruption as he rises in status and influence. He is revealed in a scandal involving theft and corruption, which causes public outrage and a decline in party support. Sandipan refuses to concede despite mounting evidence against him and grows more determined to save his political career. Gayatri separates herself from Sandipan as she learns more about his true character and realises the threat his dishonest behaviour poses.
Amidst the intensifying pressure and threat to his political career, Sandipan resorts to more drastic and dangerous measures to protect himself. However, as his downfall seems inevitable, his conscience is awakened, and he starts to question the path he has chosen and the cost of his ambition. In the face of the consequences of his actions, Sandipan must make a critical decision that will determine the course of his future and the lives of those around him.
“He Who Rides a Tiger” is a powerful exploration of the dark side of politics and the human psyche. Through Sandipan’s character, Bhabani Bhattacharya offers a searing critique of the corrupt political landscape in post-independence India and warns of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of riding the tiger of power. The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of sacrificing integrity and betraying one’s values in pursuit of personal gain, highlighting the moral dilemmas and complexities faced by individuals in the pursuit of power and success.
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In Anita Desai’s novel “In Custody,” the timid Hindi teacher Deven Sharma encounters a remarkable opportunity when his bold childhood friend Murad hires him to interview their mutual idol, the renowned and reclusive Urdu poet Nur Shahjahanabadi. The story begins with Murad surprising Deven with a visit in Mirpore, the unremarkable town near Delhi where…
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Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s speech delivered on December 25, 1927, at Mahad stands as a seminal address in the annals of Indian social reform. With eloquence and conviction, Dr. Ambedkar articulates a powerful indictment of the caste system and untouchability, advocating for their abolition to usher in a more just and equitable society. His words…
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“The Frog and the Nightingale” is a poem by Vikram Seth that tells the story of a frog and a nightingale who live in Bingle Bog. The frog is a loud and boastful singer, croaking every night without considering how others feel about his noise. Meanwhile, the nightingale is a beautiful singer, whose melodious voice…
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I burned and burned. But one day I turnedand caught that thoughtby the screams of her hair and said: “Beware,Do not follow a gentleman’s moralswith that absurd determined air.Find a priest. Find any beast in the windfor a husband. He will give a housefulof legitimate sons. It is too late for sin,even for treason. And…
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