An Era of Darkness

Shashi Tharoor

Hello Friends,

Now-a-days, repeatedly we are listening about many awards are given to authors for their writing. But question is that what’s the use of it? It is necessary to have such kinds of awards or writers are writing for the sake of award? No! Awards are for admiration, recognition and kind of thanking vote to author as they are pondering upon reality sure-enough. Before some days, SAHITYA AKADAMI AWARDS were announced. It’s to give an honor.

When we are talking about this awards in last days of 2019, how can it possible consign to oblivion to Shashi Tharoor. In this very time he came up with a book which will inevitably be much mattering for India and it is too.  “An Era of Darkness” is most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages. On February 25, 2020 he will be awarded at Delhi. Now, let’s try to look farther about book and to read between lines which he unfolds in “An Era of Darkness”.

Shashi Tharoor unfolds reality of Indian history. His arguments are less convincing. In the text “An Era of darkness” he has translated something which not a kind of cup of tea.Very  intriguing arguments he gives is that it is true that  Britishers ruled over India for 150 years but its only single sided perception as before Britishers came to India taxation policy was not humane.  The very meaning of darkness driven by Shashi  Tharoor is itself stands unique.  Though he is blaming colonizing policy of British ruling time in India, the way he used which makes his book kind of transparency.  His very initial and yet covered question is that why we are blaming only British Raj as we are very well about India’s innumerable customs like child marriage, Sati-Pratha and many more which are not forced by them! The very present time is being polled. 

Here I am sharing some videos of Shashi Tharoor  which will help you to unfold his views about “An Era of Darkness”

(1)An Exclusive interview with Author

(2) Interview- An Era of Darkness

What may has drieven him to write in such a way is that he wants to understand the origins of the difficulties that confronted India after 1947. He has called for Britain to pay reparation to India for the lasting toll that colonial rule exacted on the country. He is writing probably as for the same reason a cow gives milk.


(3) Reading between the line
     

It is the one sweeping story of independent India’s history that every Indian must know.

This book alternatively makes us feel hot and cold.

As Tharoor has been writer of fiction and non-fiction he says,..

“Yet the fact that my speech struck such a chord with so many listeners suggested that what I considered basic was unfamiliar to many, perhaps most, educated Indians. They reacted as if I had opened their eyes, instead of merely reiterating what they had already known.

It was this realisation that prompted my friend and publisher, David Davidar, to insist I convert my speech into a short book – something that could be read and digested by a layman but also be a valuable source of reference to students and others looking for the basic facts about India’s experience with British colonialism. The moral urgency of explaining to today’s Indians – and Britons – why colonialism was the horror it turned out to be could not be put aside.”

We can also say that Tharoor is deconstructing darkness in his book.  it is not narrated as a chronological account of imperialism as it unfolded in India but its sections are crafted around specific themes – the utter amorality of the East India Company in its conduct in India. While discussing about British-Raj in India Tharoor has provided us insight to go deep down in contemporary Indian circumstances.

As in the literary crtiticism’s class we were taught to measure how in colonialism one thing is dominating to all in one or another way, corruption, corruption and corruption! Tharoor has hammered us a lot through this and forced us a lot to look inside!  He discusses deep damages of colonialism on various aspects of national life.  Thus, he provides interesting subject matter for post-colonial study also.

It will not become execessive if one say it should be translated into every Indian language.

It can be also seen that our younger generation is just crazy about watching series of Netflix and movies,  no doubt it must be watched but only watching does not make any kinds of difference at all and same Tharoor provides us space to read between line and to connect the dots as well. Indeed it’s amarvelous narrative. Through this we can also say that he is an acclaimed writer.  

Tharoor says,

“If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a Thali.”

In this very modern time, in our 21^st century Shashi Tharoor should widely read for his contribution and his work must be read as he is not only discovering but unfolding meta narratives in his works. If one doesn’t have courage or rather saying that is not getting time to read books, will certainly remain unaware of his time! one should go through “An Era of Darkness”.