August Mantra is the second in a series of autobiographical novels
that began with Last Hindu Fortress; however, their reading is
independent and the story line self-contained.
India's independence and the creation of Pakistan were two
historic events which took place in August, 1947; but, in fact, the
entire subcontinent was plunged into what the poet and novelist
Yash Nandan calls the Partition Holocaust, which he describes in
this sweeping and evocative literary work. His remarkable account
begins with the escape from their fortress at the Indus Valley
frontier of Atman and Harigovind, two close friends who arrive in
May, 1947, with their families at Kot Kapura. In this rural town in
the Punjab hinterland of India, Atman and his brother Piyush become
coolies at the train station to eke out a meager living. Their
youngest brother Janshri is offered the job of editor of
Libertyville, a newly-founded newspaper. Atman's older son Kabira
leaves for New Delhi where he is offered a scholarship to continue
his studies in creative writing, and his work on August Mantra. The
family's friend, the astrologer Jadunath, who has achieved
international fame, arrives in the capital city to change the
course of history by manipulating leading politicians-Gandhi,
Nehru, Mountbatten, and Jinnah-who are engaged in marathon
negotiations on India's independence and its partition.
Jadunath twists Mountbatten's arm through his vision of a bleak
and tragic future if India was not awarded freedom soon, forcing
him to chant the August Mantra of India's freed no later than
August of that year, warning Mountbatten this will avoid a greater
tragedy to befall the subcontinent.
Nandan draws on his personal experience and the depth of knowledge
to create a compelling story about a complex, fascinating epoch in
Indian history.
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