Book Review- Tamarind City

August 19, 2012 29 Comments



pic: ektakhetan photography





'While in other big cities tradition stays mothballed in trunks, taken out only during festivals and weddings, the tradition here is worn around the year'

Tamarind City, where modern India Began



Author: Bishwanath Ghosh
Publisher: Tranquebar, Westland Publishers
ISBN: 978-93-81626-33-7  
Genre: Travelogue, Non-Fiction 
Pages: 310
Rating: 5/5

"Sometimes, coming a long way in life can just be about crossing the street". 

The story: Tamarind city is the travelogue cum city blog where the author passionately explores the highly misinterpreted and underestimated city of Madras. That how from the comfortable streets of Delhi, he ventures into unknown salai's (road in Tamil) of Madras, explore the rich cultural heritage and bust the myth that Madras is not what it is perceived to the average north Indian milieu. From Usman Nagar markets to Triplicane shanty, to Santhome beaches, Mylapore temples and all. Chennai as the city has always been associated with silk kanjeevaram sarees, Ayutha temples, hot filter coffee, heat and a difficult to fathom the Tamil language is after all not that typecast either. It is the city that has funded many dreams, raised a nation and others, made gods/ goddesses of the screen idols, given some of the finest art to the world of cinema, medicines, education, trade and all. Above all, its Chennai that has given millions of us the novelty called "Chandamama". 

There are many interesting and lesser known facts that the author has explored like how the prestigious University of Yale, Connecticut got its funds & buildings Elihu Yale, a former governor of Fort St George sold 9 bales of cotton at Madras. 

You must be wondering why tamarind city? Well apart from tamarind rice being one of the favorite cuisines of the author, he also narrates a simple yet engulfing story behind the name. One has to read the book to know its true worth.

The writing style of the author: The author chose a very simple, engrossing and mellifluous language to tell his story. To make the reading more simple and joyous, he has split the narration into several small chapters (not so linked to each other so that you can choose a random, read and still love it) including an interesting prologue. The way  he weaved tales of transsexuals, sexologist, people at old age homes with empty nest syndrome, to a couple who were ignorant about conceiving child to life and times of celluloid star Gemini Ganeshan, his flings, his tete a tete with  Subiah Muthiah (famous chronicler of Madras musings), South Diva Khushboo, Political powers MGR & Periyar  and so many other things.

The main character of the story:- the city of Madras (that's how I call it and not Chennai) is the main character of the story, but off course. The narration brings it to you in flesh, blood, and smell of hot piping sambhar. From a small trading post on a strip line of a beach (Madraspatnam) to the cornerstone of modern India, the city is a delight to read in each of the pages. You ache to sit in Chandamama's office and smell the fresh prints of the book, outside the MGR studios, star gazing, chatting to gracious Saroja Devi who always yearned to become a teacher but not actress, wipe the tears of BhanuRekha (the superstar of Indian Cinema) who was abandoned by her father until she became famous celebrity and watching Dr Kamala S at GG hospital while she is making test tube babies. What makes Chennai- India's Detroit unique is the marriage of tradition with Technology.


Likes/ Dislikes/ expectations: I liked everything about this book. Except for lack of enough pictures. The author spoke to many people of remarkable contribution and a picture of each esp the artist Shankar, printed copies of Chandamama, fresh steaming idlis from Murugun Idlis, Higginbothams, Virgin beach of Neelangakarai would have helped. Also, pictures add a lot to eyes esp in books like these. The second thing that I truly didn't like the justice meted to Tsunami episode in "A seaside story". Wherein I felt the writer was more absorbed in his personal log and took the life defeating tragedy in a lighter vein. To me, the book was quite small for the worth is carried and would appreciate few more chapters on it (that's greed!). I stayed in Chennai for almost 4 years and men, I loved that city and can tell you how misconceived it is to outsiders. The cover page is tastefully done esp with color schemes it chose. It may occur non-alluding (to a non-readers crowd) but that's ok. I wish he has done a chapter on my favorite TN Seshan :) whom he have missed mentioning.

Trivia: In one of the authors of the chapter put forth that people like Robert Clive, Warren Hastings (incl yours truly ) who started their career in Madras became the forerunner of Modern India.

The book is highly recommended to all who loved the city of Mad-Rush (like me), who thinks it's a south Indian dosa Pulihora city and everyone who has a perception and misperception about the legendary city. Like Shankar Pillai, the amazing aging artiste who drew all the Vikram Betal series pictures for Chandamama would say- Very good very good.


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This book was received as a part of Blogadda's Book Review Program. Sign up for the Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers.
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The autor is half Human, half machine. Go Figure or just revel in what I write

29 comments:

  1. Excellent review. I love it. Looks like Mr. Ghosh has given a detailed account of Chennai’s growth. Also interesting anecdotes. This is a must read for me.

    Just FYI. Dr. Kamala Selvaraj is late Mr. Gemini Ganesan’s daughter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes...She is his legitimate daughter from his 1st wife Bobji :)

      The book is wonderful, quick read and interesting read. Must read. Do grab a copy, read , gift and spread the word around :)

      Delete
  2. Hmmm Might give this a try. A good review :
    So u ate Maggies :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup...I ate maggies, drank tea but didnt leave the book.

      Its a wonderful read...simple, fluid language and narration is filled with interesting facts. Buddy, you must read it :)

      Delete
    2. Beautiful review. There is so much about our history which we need to know. This book is an eyeopener for most of us. Agree with your thoughts on fluid narration and simple language. Thanks for your comment, else would not have come across this blog.

      Delete
    3. Dear Asha,

      thanks for your wonderful feedback and encouraging words. Nice to have you here. Madras is a city that I loved fondly and still.

      Keep visiting :)

      Delete
  3. You must share it with me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure Anupama, for you are a dear friend.

      Will share but on returnable basis sweetie :)

      Delete
  4. A really good and honest review !!! Yes, the greed to read more and see more pics is always there !!! ;)

    And I prefer to call it Madras....its difficult to use Chennai even in postal references.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Uma..I bet the pics wud have made it more delicious :)

      Some how I like the music in the word Madras. Its unique :)

      Delete
  5. Gosh's view as an outsider takes a very unbiased view and that helps us to delve into the book, without compromising grounds. It was awesome reading it.. After reading this book I so wanted to go on a tour on madras day, but then I had an dentist appointment to keep.. But still, whenever time permits, I would like to visit those places and make a note.. So many intricate details that I had missed in my own city.. beautiful review!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup...I also noticed that at certain spots he stumbled like TSunami incident etc but thats small blunder compared to big joy that he gave in the form of this book :)

      Delete
  6. Nice review !!! Came to this post when I was reading reviews of Tamarind City. The best thing about this review is the photo... You do have a talent for photography :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elizabeth...you must read the book...Its nice :)

      Delete
  7. nice review like the book pic

    ReplyDelete
  8. Amazing the visit was worth…
    keralaflowerplaza.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Because the admin of this web page is working, no
    doubt very rapidly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thats a brilliant review. I don't know if you follo Mr. Ghosh's blog and once he wrote a very controversial but funny post on love titled 'If love is blind, why is lingerie so famous'. You should check out sometime

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey there,

      Sorry for replying late...just saw ur comments~

      Sounds interesting...yeah I visited his blog once but couldnt spend much time...this post seems interesting though. Meanwhile if u have link, pl do share :)

      Delete
  11. I had been wanting to read this book for long. Good review. I must pick it up soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Indrani. Sorry for late reply. Hope you have read the book by now. Let me know your view. Ciao!

      Delete
  12. Anonymous17 July

    Loved the way you have posted the review. The pics, trivia, one of the most interesting reviews I have seen :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Talkabtbooks,
      Thank you soo much. I am glad that you liked my presentation and content. It is indeed encouraging.

      Delete
  13. Thank you Chennai flowers

    ReplyDelete

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