I had
won the "Siliconpuram" book giveaway of this author previously and I
had reviewed it in goodreads.com. In March I received a message from Samura the
author, that I have been sent one paperback copy of Semmaari. I thanked him for
his generosity.
One
week back I received the copy before its launch date. The cover has the image
of a sheep with the title "Semmaari" and a tag line Sheep with sixth
sense. I cannot grasp, what connection it holds with a historical fictional
story? That was my fault.
The
book is 294 pages which can be read in one sitting but it took me 3 days to
complete and was awestruck by the plot used by the author. Never before I had
come across such a story in Tamil.
The
story starts with an old guide Desigar narrating the story to the author and
his family. There are two countries one is Suriyanadu and another is
Chandranadu. The later is a small kingdom ruled by Puthirasekaran and like his
father he is obsessed with architecture, he wanted to create a beauty in
stones. He arranges Sadayuthar the chief stone architect and his assistant
Nagalan to commence the work. The progress was fast, Sadayuthar men force is
supervised by Kodari (Axe) from the name y0u can guess he is one of the
adversary of the story. Then comes the hero of the novel "Semmaari" a Shepard and a simpleton from a downtrodden community.
While
the architects are free they use to play "Aadu Puli Aatam" (Tiger
& Sheep/Lambs and Tigers game) Semmaari wants to learn the game but was ignored due to his
community status. He observes the game hiding from a tree. One such day Nagalan
feeling lonely and bored asks Semmaari to play with him. He teaches the basics
of the game to Semmaari. The game is dominated when played with Tiger piece but
Semmaari was most talented when he plays with sheep pieces. Subsequently he
meets his love Nathiyazh (Nathi – River, Yazh – stringed musical instrument) (what
a lovely name)
As
Semmaari is from a nomadic tribe they plan to shift but destiny has another
plan. The Tiger and Sheep game becomes a contest between a stranger Guhan and
Nagalan. While the contest goes on Nagalan playing with sheep pieces was nearing
defeat and he asks someone to fetch Semmaari for assistance. Without the
knowledge of the contest Semmaari helps Nagalan to win the game after the game
as per the contest rule Guhan's right hand was severed by Kodari. This is the
twist of the story as Guhan is none other than the Commander of Suriyanadu.
The
next day Sadayuthar congratulates on Semmaari's victory while they were
celebrating, Guhan comes back with a mighty army and kills everyone even the
sheeps of Semmaari is not spared. Somehow Semmaari and his remaining family
members, Nathiyazh and Nagalan escapes from the attack.
When Guhan's
plan to arrest Nagalan the architect and his plan to avenge Kodari (for loss of
his limb) and Semmaari (defeated in the game and as well his dignity) fails miserably he asks the King
Puthirasekaran to kill Kodari and Semmaari for him. Kodari who stays in a
remote cave with his friends, hints upon a plan to kill Semmaari and thereby he
might get mercy from his king and Guhan.
Semmaari
comes to know that he has been targeted by three opponents King Puthirasekaran,
Guhan and Kodari. He was running in despair along with his family and sheeps. He
has no weapon to defend suddenly he understands that he is literally playing
the Tiger and Sheep game and he uses the game techniques to outwit the three
adversaries (3 tigers). How it is done? That shows the unique and intelligent story
telling talent of Samura.
The
characters are not complex they are simple and very much engaging and we can
relate them to our day to day life. Each character has a unique feature and the
author has blended them perfectly. Everything he narrates in the story are all
related in one way or another.
After
the climax the author goes into subtlety like the three different techniques
Semmaari uses, the people involved in every plan, the use of five elements etc.
are worth mentioning.
I very
much enjoyed reading the book and I could have lifted the author if he was
present before me.
Dear Roop,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to read your detailed review. I feel a sense of satisfaction with my debut story. It is very encouraging for me to write many more stories. I am thankful to you for taking time to read and giving detailed review comments. It is so much of encouraging me as a debut author.
Dear Samura Sir, thank you very much for your comment. When authors reply to my reviews it is a encouragement for me too.
Deleteyour review shared in google.
ReplyDeleteThank you.,
Deletesuper and fine review brother.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments.
Delete