The Expression Hub

Author: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Genre: Fictional/Nationalist

” Our nation is like a tree of which the original trunk is swarajya and the branches are swadeshi and boycott.”

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

After a long time I really got to lay hands on a book . Though I love reading but thanks to the busy schedule I had, did not get time to read one. So I decided to use my free time and make the most of it. I do so by either catching up with some web series or a movie or a book . After all I do need to recharge myself so that I can pursue everything in my mind with great vigour and enthusiasm.

There are times when you just feel patriotic about your country, when you feel you should do something for the country. This feeling is generally dominant in me when I read something very motivational in nature. This is exactly what happened to me while reading Anandmath.

I am a lover of historical stories as well. There’s something in it which intrigues me and makes me feel as if I am the character. I literally start imagining I am the hero of the novel and I am fighting the battles. This is a quality of a good book I feel – the reader should be so engrossed that he/ she should feel as if he/ she is the character.

Now coming to the book , Anandmath is a fictionalised account of an important event which took place in the history of India- the Santhal rebellion. The national song of India Vande Mataram was taken from this song. The song was an anthem to fight against the imperial forces and a war cry to inspire the nationalist forces.

The book revolves around the lives of two main characters Mahendra and Kalyani. It is the time of famine in Bengal. So they are forced to relocate themselves. But a course of events lead to their separation. Kalyani is taken care by a Hindu monk named Satyananda who is the leader of the Santhals fighting against the imperial forces .

The reunion of the husband and wife leads to Mahendra invoking patriotic feelings in him and he deciding to join the rebellion. Do the Santhals achieve their objective which they have in their mind? What are the trials faced by the main characters ? Do the imperial forces suffer a setback or do they emerge victorious ? Read the book to find out.

The book is fast paced. There is not a single dull moment in the book . It is an interesting read especially because it covers an important event in the history of Indian freedom struggle which set the pace for future events in the course of history of India. This is an absolute treasure for those who love reading historical stuff. While for those who are not , you may give the book a skip or read it with an open mind which might help you to enjoy the book. Do tell me about your experiences in the comments section. Waiting for your lovely feedback.

” True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anything else.”

Clarence Darrow

Que: What is Mahendra by profession before joining the forces ?

a. Shopkeeper

b. Salesman

c Priest

d. Zamindar