Vinith Vijay Prakash in FB:
Conversations with Aurangzeb by the cult Tamil writer Charu Nivedita presents a contemporary, young, seamless, and witty fusion of satire and amusement, making it the most engaging and humor-filled piece in my literary experience of the last decade. Contrary to the conventional historical novel, it’s a captivating blend of historical and contemporary elements. Emerged as a unique post-modernist in world literature, effortlessly weaving prose that flows like a serene river. The charm and ease within the narrative captivate from start to finish. Within its pages, Aurangazeb traverses realms beyond history, delving into discussions about GOT, Ashoka the Great (Shahenshah doesn’t think so), music, love, Sunny Leone, the current government, the writers’ lives, and more. It’s as if Aurangazeb strolls through the streets of India and Chile, engaging in candid conversations that unveil his obscured history and refute false narratives. Aurangazeb, known for his notoriety, is painted in vivid shades, offering insight into the factors that shaped him, his wit, and his transition from an emperor to a life akin to a beggar until his death. Charu Nivedita introduces a new dimension, largely unexplored and unknown, shedding light on the iconic sources that underpin this monumental work. It stands tall among all historical fiction in the literary realm. This work heralds a new wave emerging from the South of India, promising to enrich the sub-continent with truth and courage. There appears to be a widespread reluctance among people to discuss or address Aurangzeb. Even a great statesman like Nehru depicted a negative image of Aurangzeb (remember that Nehru printed his marriage invitation in Urdu). Essentially, there’s a prevailing reluctance to touch upon the Aurangzeb. Noam Chomsky famously said, “It’s the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and expose lies”. ‘Conversations with Aurangzeb’ stands as a testament to this quote. A Dennis Rajan shoot and edit.
HarperCollins India It’s the Book of the decade.