Tarikshir (The Awakening)-Khyaal Patel

Book: Tarikshir-The Awakening

Author: Khayaal Patel

Publisher: Westland India

A fresh retelling finding in its roots in the Ramayana, Tarikshir (The Awakening) is the story of a boon that could make the holder powerful beyond anyone’s imagination.

The book opens with the plot starting from Lanka, just after the events of Ravana is slain. We see a monkey, Valikesh, roaming around in the Palace, looking for spoils of war, when he comes across a stone that catches his eyes. Instinctively, he picks it up and we get a glance into the powers that stone carries. Cut to the present times, we come to a small princely state in Rajasthan, Devangarh, who is led by Raja Ravindra and is facing a confrontation by the British and their army. Hugely outnumbered, the king maintains his pride and opts for war rather than succumbing to the British rule.

We are also introduced the other prominent characters of the story. Prince Rudra, who is the heir apparent, is not exactly what the king wanted him to become. He is a fierce warrior, but deep down resents killing of a person. Having being influenced by both his father and mother, his conflicting conscience becomes a crucial part of the story. The King’s brother, Shamsher Singh Chauhan is another crucial character of the plot. Being a rebel, he goes into a self-exile and builds his own guerilla army that becomes a pain for the British in India. When the peace talks between Devangarh and the British fail, Shamsher offers his support to the king which he haughtily waves away. We are also shown different characters such as Duryadutta, Rudra’s teacher who plays the voice of reason in his life, Shen-Zou, A Chinese traveler who taught Rudra martial arts, and Rudra’s mother who gives him his conscience.

With the kingdom in turmoil due to the incoming attack, another blow hits the kingdom. King Ravindra dies suddenly. Suspecting the death of the king to be an assassination, he starts digging into the possible causes. One day in the library, he discovers his grandfather’s old diaries and he stumbles upon the legend of Tarikshir. Adding to this, the kingdom sees a spate of murders in which the bodies have been drained of blood.

What is the legend of Tarikshir? 

Is the death of the King really accidental?

What is the significance of the stone Valikesh Found?

The book answers these questions adeptly. The plot of the book is engaging and cohesive. The subplots are properly defined and can be inter-related without much difficulty. The climax of the book is wonderful and interesting with the entire plot coming to focus on one point. The way the plot has been treated is commendable. With just the right amount of mystery, thrill, mystery and science, the book makes for an engaging read.

The epilogue of the book is certainly the cherry atop the cake.

I would give the book 4/5.