Avarana Book
Violette Ransone
Aavarana is a 2007 Kannada novel by novelist S. L. Bhyrappa. Aavarana (Sanskrit: आवृ vṛ meaning 'to conceal') means enveloping or covering something. This novel deals with the historical character Timurid Emperor Aurangazeb. Aavarana was sold out even before its release in February 2007.[1] The novel went on to create a record in the Indian literary world by witnessing 10 reprints within five months of its release.[2]
Like most of Bhyrappa's novels, Aavarana too generated tremendous debate and discussion. Many prominent intellectuals believe Aavarana dangerously advanced the fundamentalist agenda by tilting at the windmills of history, and that it seeks to divide society on communal lines. The author has vigorously protested the tag that the book is inflammatory by challenging the reviewers to refute the points made in the book.
Lakshmi, a rebellious, free-spirited and intelligent film-maker, breaks ties with her staunchly Gandhian father to marry Amir, the man she loves. She even agrees reluctantly to Amir's request that she convert to Islam, as a formality and change her name to Razia. However, she is shocked to discover that her husband is not the open-minded, progressive individual he claimed to be. For after marriage, Amir takes his family's side in trying to force her to follow the more rigorous tenets of their faith. This sets her off on a personal journey into India's history to uncover the many layers of religion, caste and creed. Her quest leads her to the many parallels in the narratives between the past and the present and she gradually finds that though much has changed in Indian society over the centuries, much remains the same.
Aavarana stirred a major controversy in Karnataka. There has been accusations that Bhyrappa is a Hindu fundamentalist who wants to divide society on the basis of history, an allegation which Bhyrappa himself anticipates and tries to refute in the novel.[4] U.R. Ananthamurthy, well known in Kannada literature, has criticised Bhyrappa and his works, terming Aavarana as dangerous. He said that Bhyrappa was a debater who "doesn't know what Hindu religion stands for" and "does not know how to write novels".[5] Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Prof Chandrashekhar Patil has referred to Aavarana as the textbook of Chaddi (a slang for RSS cadres).[6] Booker Prize-winning Indian author Aravind Adiga wrote an article in Outlook [7]in which he writes, "the term Aavarana now describes what has happened to S.L. Bhyrappa himself: swallowed by his weakest novel, passed over for the Jnanpith (the traditional crown for the bhasha writer), and in danger of having a fanbase composed entirely of bigots."
S.L. Bhyrappa has reiterated that something was written in his novel. According to the author, the book is the result of his search for true history. He stated: "I have referred to hundreds of history books before writing the novel. However, if anyone has doubts about the facts can refer to the books I have listed in my book. Out of my interest, I have studied history and my findings have resulted in a creative piece of work. I am fed up with debates and discussions on Aavarana. Allow me to think on something else". The novel reiterates "if we don't study history, it repeats".[6]
Avarana (आवरण) is a Sanskrit term that translates as 'covering' or 'obstruction'. It is considered to be one of the three defects of the mind that hinder spiritual progression. Avarana is a veil of ignorance that dulls the mind and prevents people from seeing their true/higher self. Without lifting the veil of avarana, it is not possible to know Atman or Brahman.[1]
Firstly master Charaka explains
Avaranam of vata by pitta and kapha,
then the avarana by tissues and
lastly by excreta.
In all these types of Avaran, Vata is being obstructed by Pitta, Kapha, tissues etc.
We get two questions related to this concept.
1. How does the vata which has been blocked show signs of aggravation instead of submission?
The obstructed vata should actually be recessive and not dominant. If vata is recessive it should not cause a disease.
By causing the block of passages of transportation and nurture, the vitiated vata causes depletion of tissues. This process when continued will once again cause vitiation of vata.
Here the vata aggravated by blockage of its passages causes dryness and depletion of tissues.
This makes us think thatthe given disease or condition is caused by pitta or kapha. But it is in factcaused by vitiated vata. This shows the authority of vata in association withother doshas and also when it is subjected to avarana.
शैत्य गरव शूलन कटु आध्य उपशयओ अधकम्
लङ्घन आयस रूक्ष उष्ण कमत च कफ आवृतेच.च.२८/६२
Examples of Anyonya or Paraspara Avarana
Mutual affliction (block, obstruction) of one sub-type of vayu by the other is said to manifest in 20 different types. I shall mention a few examples here.
Similarly any subtype of vayu can block or meddle with the smooth functioning of other subtype of vayu. The disturbances or morbidity will be presented by the dominating or most vitiated sub-type of vata which is causing the obstruction. The above mentioned examples of Avaranas are only for the sake of understanding.
Ayurvedic literature highlights the symptoms of Pakshagata as Chesta Nivritti either in Vama or Dakshina Parshwa along with Ruja and Vakstambha. Pakshaghata being one among the Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi is considered as Mahavata Vyadhi, it can occur either due to Dhatukshaya or Margavarana. Pakshaghata can be correlated with Hemiplegia, which results from cerebrovascular accident - stroke. Stroke is defined as sudden onset of neurologic deficit from vascular mechanism 85% is ischemic and 15% are primary hemorrhages. According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people suffer from stroke world wide each year, of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are permanently disabled. Modern science believes that the brain tissues once damaged completely cannot be repaired by the therapies leading to permanent neurological deficit. Hence, the disease has a poor prognosis, making the person disabled dependent. In present article deals with aetiopathogenesis, clinical features and the role of Avarana and management of disease the Pakshagata from Ayurvedic classics.
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Hi,
Nice post..you have cleanly described the key aspects of the novel. And definitely its not a spoiler...rather its an accelarator for those who are still struk with inertia !! :)
As I read the novel...i couldn't stop comparing various characters in this novel with that of Vamshavruksha [ which is still my all time favorite ].
One thing I noticed was this novel and Vamshavruksha move in 2 opposite directions...
In that novel...characters move from being extremely orthodox....to being libral....
Here lakshmi..goes back to her original religion...
pls share your thougts on this.
To Understand islam read the QURAN and HADEETH you will get more wisdom and knowledge about religion.
Writing such novels just to criticise islam and to gain cheap popularity among hindus are common nowadays. This writer is a hyppocrite, he does'nt know his own religion and writing about islam.
Now to readers: If u want to understand abt islam read quran which is an ultimate message to entire human being. Just by reading some characters portrayed in this novel wont give u clear picture rather its creating a misconception among hindus to hate islam. I felt ashamed to see that such writers are writing against other religions when they does'nt know their own. Here Lakshmi becoming razia and razia becoming lakshmi again is all nonsense and just a story created by writer to earn some money and popularity. Even i can write against hinduism and can earn popularity by creating such characters. But i learnt from islam to respect other religions also. Also i have read great vedas to understand what is hinduism, i dont read novels or documentaries to know about any religion.
Thank you for all your comments.
@Anonymous - (who directed me to another review) - Thanks for the other review.
@Anonymous - (who exhorted people to read about Islam from the Quran)
Have you read AvaraNa? If not, I would urge you to do so. After that, we can discuss further. I would like to see what you specifically don't like about the representation of Islam in AvaraNa. Also, Bhyrappa doesn't need any cheap popularity. He is already the best novelist in Kannada by a mile. He is also rich enough to not write books for money.
@Sandhya - Your observation regarding Lakshmi and Katyayani is interesting. But Lakshmi is not orthodox - she just goes back to her roots - the AvaraNa for her is lifted. kAtyAyani in Vamshavruksha suffers a miserable end, because she was unable to break free from her tradition.
@Sindhu - Thanks for defending Bhyrappa, though he really doesn't need it. Thanks for your good words as well.
@neelanjana - Thanks for your kind words. Let's see what you feel after you read AvaraNa.