Book Review: Anandmath by Bankim Chandra Chatterji

'Mother, hail! 
Thou with sweet springs flowing, 
Thou fair fruits bestowing, Cool with zephyrs blowing, Green with corn-crops growing, Mother, hail!'

Written in the background of Sanyasi rebellion back in late 18^th century by Bankim Chandra Chatterji, the novel Anandmath is one of the most powerful and extraordinary political novels of its time. Not only is it synonymous with the early freedom struggle against the British in the backdrop of the infamous Bengal famine, it also portrays the motherland in her supreme form, a divine form above all- for whom even renunciation from family and one’s own desires is nothing.  Back in those days the novels played a significant role in instilling a sense of pride for the motherland and protect her from the oppressive rule of the British.

The entire novel is divided into four parts, but the sense of nationalism reverberates with equally strong intensity throughout. The book is not entirely conversational nor entirely descriptive, rather it used both the techniques. The imageries and descriptions of events and surroundings are strong that as a reader one would feel as if he is living in those times and watching the entire action oneself. One such beautiful instance can be seen in the following, where the author has given such a picturesque description of a typical Indian summer day-

“… when the earth burns like a furnace. The scorching rays of the sun had as if set fire to the air. The sky was like a burning canopy of copper. On the road the grains of sand were like flakes of fire.”

What makes the story different is that the characters (the Children of Mother India-the freedom fighters) are not from any specific mainstream Indian social class but include people from all social boundaries who have put aside all their boundaries of discrimination and renunciated their families to come together for the supreme service.

“ We are not afraid. A man never dies more than once in his life. And what death would it be if it occurs in the service for our Mother. Something worth dying for.”

 The characters Mahendra Singh and his wife Kalyani give up their ancestral home and riches as a consequence of the famine and eventually their destinies get entwined with the Children. The central characters comprising Mahendra, Jiban, Bhavan, Mahatma Satya, etc. are shown to be people with many different layers to their personalities. Jiban and Bhavan face their own dilemma at various points of time regarding their choice between their personal life and service to the motherland, and then regarding the atonement for their sins. Mahatma Satya is shown as a selfless ascetic who is actually behind this rebel movement- the guiding force.  At one or two instances he is felt to possess some divine powers as well, like a typical fictional ascetic. In his female characters, the author has painted a sort of contrast in the characters of Shanti and Kalyani. Although both have been described as women of beauty beyond imagination, yet we see some differences.  Kalyani is a typical domesticated wife who is ready to give her life (and almost gave it) to prevent herself from being a hindrance in her husband’s path. Shanti is assertive and bold, while Kalyani is meek and submissive. While Shanti can fight and kill men (like she showed when she disguised herself as Nabin among the Children and played an active role in the battles), Kalyani cannot even protect herself. It is an interesting contrast to find in the work of an author of earlier times when at other places he has placed the social prejudices as they were. However, these multitudes of personalities are brought together under a common objective and they contribute in their own ways towards the ultimate service.

The fact that the author is from a poetic background is ingrained and borne out by his frequent usage of verses from his popular song Vande Mataram (first published in this novel and presently the National song of India). As far as the song is concerned, it is most poignant and moving. Going by the impact it had on the characters of the story, I am pretty sure it must have deeply moved the people then who were impatient and restless for a change of situations. The song was a binding force, a source of energy, a song of revolution, a victory song to the freedom fighters of that time. It was sung with such vigour that it could even overpower the sounds of British cannons.

“..Lets crush the British rule in India under our feet. Let us burn their sceptre into ashes, and then scatter the ashes to the winds. Brothers, sing Bande Mataram again!'”

Although the main theme of the novel is woven around the feeling of nationalism, the story also presents the subtleties in human relations. The Children present a perfect example of brothers in arms guided under one common objective, ready to die for the motherland. The story also talks about the intricacies of a husband-wife pair. Even after renouncing their households, the Jiban-Shanti and Mahendra-Kalyani pairs share a special connection within themselves. The husband and wife were two halves of the same soul.

I would conclude by saying that this novel by Bankim Chandra can claim full recognition as historical fiction imbued with the spirit of nationalism. It is a political novel charged with selfless patriotism and a plot with epical dimensions that successfully establishes Anandmath more as an Indian fable.