A gripping tale with roots going to the 7^th century, heralding the war between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas, the reader is transported to an era when traditions and legacies guided dharma, despite the blood bath

Peace is an elusive companion. For as long back as we trace time, peace and mankind have not been friends. Nandi’s Charge is focussed on just that, no peace and only war. An elderly Pallava king is forced to be subservient to his counterpart Chalukya king. His conversion to the peaceful principles of Jainism is viewed as weak by most. And his desire to build beautiful temples on the shores of the Coromandel Coast is passed on to his son. The wheel of time moves; victors are old men now.

This historical fiction is based on the son, young Narasimhavarman, fulfilling his father’s last wishes. The wishes are: complete the construction of the temple town Mamallapuram and avenge Pulikeshi, the ruler of Vathapi, who forced the father to surrender and remain behind the fort walls of Kanchi. The author weaves a tight narrative around the world that he has inherited.

A well-built man brought up by the loyal ministers of his father’s court, the young Pallava king is busy building the temples on the shore. There doesn’t seem to be any sign of disturbance to his kingdom. The enemies are complacent as well.

What is new though, is that they had lost the war as they were caught unaware. They have now built a spy network and strengthened their army. They are vigilant and know that spies from the other nations are also plying on the streets of Kanchi for information.

The style is catchy with three young soldiers sent as spies to three different parts of the country. Their journey is given in a map at the beginning of the book.

Each one is skilled in military and spying tactics. Despite that, fate plays truant and the strategy is discovered. However, the core of Book 1 lies in their journeys, the women they meet along the way, the harsh terrain they cross, and their morals and ethics do not suffer any injury. In the centuries gone by, loyalty, purpose and dharma defined life and the three young men stand testimony to that. These handsome heroes of the first part of the trilogy find their way into the reader’s heart.

There are some real people and some fictional ones. And through the book, you keep finding many people. However, each has an identity that stands out. Even the little soldier on the city gate is important. The reader might find the need to refer to the list of characters given at the beginning of the book.

The mention of old-world terms and ideology adds to the drama. All the references are explained in the footnotes.

The narrative is well woven with a cinematic quality. The beauty of early morning in Kanchi feels real, as does the fact that trade continues across enemy borders and then there’s smuggling and thieves. The world has more than 50 shades of grey and all are beautifully described. Krishnan misses nothing, not even the mesmerising beauty of the night stars.

The changes in society, blend of Jainism, Buddhism and Sanatan Dharma form an interesting web. It is an era of building marvellous temples that are an ode to the rulers, as seen in the poem written on the temples being constructed by the Chalukya king.

For people from other parts of the country, this is a grand exercise in a lesson in the roots of erstwhile Bharatvarasha. Though, there are many blockbuster period drama movies from the south, showing myriad shades of eras gone by.

There are tropes and the reader would find them in battle strategies, but the author has skillfully woven them in the narrative. Sometimes, the dialogue feels a bit modern, but then that’s creativity. Maybe OTT has also spoiled us in current times with its vast choices that seem familiar in the book.

Overall, the book is worth a place on your bookshelf and I look forward to Book 2 to see who wins the Battle of Vathapi.

Book Details
Publisher: Harper Collins India
Language: English
Paperback:‎ 544 pages
Price: Rs 499 (Kindle edition available)

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