Book Review: The Reluctant Detective

Disclaimer: I don’t normally do book reviews….so bear with me!

Having by chance followed Kiran Manral on Twitter, I came to know about her first book.  I restrained the temptation of reading other reviews posted via Twitter and purchased The Reluctant Detective while on a short break to India from the OM Bookshop.

Kay, short for Kanan, is the central character of the book, a thirty-something suburban housewife on murder trails while managing family life.  The book opens with Kay facing a women’s worst nightmare, what to wear for an evening party.  Straight away we get some sort of visual of Kay with her reference to her tripple-support harness like bra or how she wishes she could snip away inches of cellulite.  Nonetheless, Kay is a busy mum of a five-yr old boy, Kabir and wife of a pragmatic and what seems a BlackBerry addict husband.  One can’t help realising that by the end of the first chapter, you have a very good idea of Kay’s wardrobe and the book continues to make references to this, co-ordination, it seems is omni-important.  Certainly my female counterparts would better enjoy descriptions such as off-white linen drawstring pants, with a coordinated tunic top or chocolate-coloured satin pyjamas.

The book has nice moments of humour, with references to Kay trying to understand the wrestling lingo by her son Kabir, or the debacle around the pepper-spray incident. 

At times you do forget that this book is centered around two unfortunate people being murdered, however there are short references throughout the chapters to keep the reader in touch.  Hence the book does exactly what it says on the tin, our so-called detective is indeed very reluctant and therefore you are left wondering what route this book is taking at times.  In fairness there is no real suspense behind the motives, although you do feel a sense of justice being done when the truth comes out.

Having followed Kiran Manral’s tweets over time, I do ponder the question of how similar the characters life is to Kiran in reality.  Is this book really about the authors daily life, the school drop-offs, the morning jogs, the socialising with friends and keeping up of appearances?  With the added bonus of a murder or two thrown in?

Anyone who genuinely writes from the heart and manages to publish their book deserves a huge pat on the back.  This book is a good first attempt at story writing and I for one will be looking forward to her next book. 

Well done Kiran.

[SP]: Butterflies, I Had Them

It’s like I’ve been awake all night [pause]

I’ve been brushing my teeth for over 5mins [pause]

I didn’t finish my breakfast [pause]

Someone is talking to me, but I can’t hear them [pause]

I haven’t got the energy to do my laces [pause]

I try and smile to the parents, my mouth hardly moves [pause]

There’s 2mins to go, I am feeling worse [pause]

I take my position, there’s screaming, I can’t hear anything [pause]

Someone’s blown a whistle [pause]

[Thump]

The kid is lying next to me on the floor [pause]

There are cheers [pause]

I feel much better now, a full-blooded tackle [pause]

I start to breath for the first time today [pause]

Me | Age 12 | Cup Final Day

Over the weekend, one of my under 9’s football [soccer] players turned up for a game, there was fear in him before he even stepped onto the pitch.  He just never made that tackle, he couldn’t get rid of those butterflies the whole time.

I felt sorry for him.  It brought back a memory.

Learn to roar, learn to conquer! Never be afraid of anything on this earth! Play the game, not the occasion!

More “Item Songs” in Bollywood mean India is getting raunchy then ever!

“An item number or an item song in Indian cinema, is a musical performance that has little to do with the film in which it appears, but is presented to showcase beautiful dancing women in very revealing clothes, to lend support to the marketability of the film” Wikipedia definition

For those reading this post, who have little or no knowledge of Indian Cinema (now referred to as Bollywood), you will be pleased to know that by the end you will have learnt something new, the growing trend of “Item Songs”.  This is not a history lesson in Indian Cinema, but merely my observation and the bravery (or stupidity) of directors to gradually push the boundaries. 

As a young lad, I recall sitting with my parents watching Bollywood movies (nothing wrong with that) and left wondering why a certain women would do a song sequence and then never appear in the rest of the film.  I recall that at that time, it was Helen who was the most popular women to appear in these so-called Item numbers.  Now Helen never looked like your typical Indian filmi chick, why, because firstly she was not full-blooded Indian and secondly she had apparent brown hair that was very continental looking.   The images below may support my observation.

I have to admit that watching Helen back then was just what a growing boy like me appreciated, something to catch the eye, get the chemicals flowing (steady on potato).  However, Helen was very elegant and graceful in her performance, she kept her dignity.  Also, she suited performing the “item number” sequence, it was just so her.  To those new, here’s a glimpse, to those experienced like me, here’s a quick trip down memory lane:

 

 

 

 

Recently the flood gates have opened in terms of “item songs” and what’s more interesting is how raunchy they have become and how they are being performed by reputable actresses within the industry. 

Back in 1993 when I was in India, I recall there was a widespread ban on the song Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai from the film Khalnayak.  The ban was the result of female college students up and down the country complaining about their male counterparts singing the song to them in a very provocative manner.  I saw the movie when I came back and had to admit it was so gracefully pulled off by the fantastic Madhuri Dixit.  It was however, the start of things to come.

When I went to India just this February, the most popular song on the dance floor was “Chikni Chameli”, from the movie Agneepath.  Now I hadn’t seen the video to this song but instantly fell in love with the song [singing it now].  When I saw the video, I was amazed, some of the dance moves and close up shots were a little naughty, see for yourself.

In today’s climate, I would say that the past consistency of Helen has now been replaced by the very popular Malaika Arora.

You can look past a nation which openly illustrates a passion pushing the boundaries in a legitimate way, for it’s all there above the surface and the inhabitants are very open about it all.  However, there is something very sinister about a nation who does not tolerate the freedom to express one’s body and emotions in public, but fuelling those burning passions through their film industry.

So here’s to all those street traders, rickshaw drivers, 3-wheeler drivers, foot-path rouges, gunda-Don’s who line up the front seats of the cinema hall, whistle and dream to their hearts content at the Indian beauty strutting her stuff across the screen while being watched with hungry eyes.

 Here are some picks from 2011 and 2012, you will see a common theme.

Vaisakhi 2012

What is Vaisakhi?

Short Story: One Day, you will have to come

[22:53 on a Monday evening and the above quote popped into my head and stimulated a strange story]

Dialog 1.

“Well Thanks for looking after me while I was in India Nitin.  You know when you come here with family, we will show you guys a great time”

“Sure, we will come, once your recession is over in the UK.  You know my work is very vital here, I just can’t pull away.  I just about got 3 days leave to see you when you came over to India”

“Don’t worry about no recession and don’t work too hard. You know, one day, you will have to come, I tell you that”.

Dialog 2.

“Afternoon Naveen, how are things in Delhi?  I spoke to your elder brother Nitin yesterday, we were discussing plans about him visiting us in the UK”

“Nitin will never come Vikram. Firstly he works around the clock and all the money he earns not only runs his household, but he also assists a failure like me.  He pays for my kids education, makes sure we have clothes and bills are paid on time.  He will never come while he has useless family members like me hanging around”.

“Don’t be hard on yourself Naveen, all will be OK, you just keep trying to find work and get yourself back on your feet ok”.

Dialog 3.

“Nitin darling, see who is ringing at this hour, so late baba….What’s that noise, Nitin, Nitin, what’s wrong, you are crying”.

“Bad news from the UK, Vikram passed away!”

Dialog 4.

[Door bell rings, Nitin's house]

“Yes, can I help you”.

“Sorry to bother you Sir following the sad news yesterday.  I am, was, a good friend of Vikram’s. This envelope is for you, from Vikram…Thank You….Bye Sir”

[Opens the envelope to find a letter and two tickets]

“My dear brother Nitin, by the time you get this, I will have been no more.  You know I told you to come over and see me, you should have listened.  I said. One day, you will have to come.  So here’s that day.  These tickets will get you to the UK in two days time and there will be someone there to collect you both.  Come see me off dear brother, come see me off”.

__________________________________________________________

This evening I recalled a conversation with a very dear friend, strange these thoughts, turned into a story.