PLOT: 4/5
CHARACTERS: 4.5/5
WRITING: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
GENRE: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Translated Literature
“At midday, not even a crow or a sparrow ventures out in this heat. This is not a big city like yours, just a little village. But wait and see. You will be amazed at how many different people live here. Don’t worry about a thing. I am here.”
– Perumal Murugan, Pyre
Following Poonachi and The Goat Thief, this marks my third encounter with author Perumal Murugan’s work. Renowned for his compelling narratives, Murugan has been celebrated with prestigious accolades including the International Booker Prize, the JCB Prize for Literature, and the Sahitya Academy Award.
Notably, Pyre garnered attention as a longlisted contender for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature in 2017, and later for the International Booker Prize in 2023. Through its simple yet profound storytelling and strong character portrayals, the book delves into the intricate dynamics of caste within rural Tamil Nadu.
What is the story of Pyre?
The book follows the story of Kumaresan who moves out of his village for employment. In the new town, much bigger and more developed than the village he comes from, he meets Saroja and immediately falls in love with her. Besotted with each other, they decide to elope and hastily get married, never minding the caste boundaries that they are breaking by doing so. But when Kumaresan brings his newly married wife to his dusty old village, the question of their inter-caste marriage becomes a huge issue.
At first, he lies and dodges the uncomfortable questions regarding Saroja’s caste, naively believing that eventually time would heal all wounds and all would be forgotten in good faith. But in his love, hope, and optimism, he is naive, viewing the world through rose-tinted glasses. The barbs and jibes from his mother are relentless, the insults from the villagers are never-ending and shameful, and the attitude of the villagers is simply unbearable.
Saroja, on the other hand, is as scared as a hen about to be butchered. She doesn’t share the kind of optimism that Kumaresan has. However, despite the harsh reality of her new life, it is Kumaresan’s soothing words and carefree caresses that put her at ease at the end of the day.
As Saroja slowly and steadily learns to survive on that dusty, hot, and heat-singed rock that Kumaresan calls home, danger looms in the backdrop as the villagers are on to some brutal and unforgiving plans of their own. The target of their anger – Saroja.
My thoughts
Spare, bare, and potent, Pyre unfurls a narrative where caste holds sway, where youthful affection contends with rigid caste divides, and where caste pride eclipses humanity. Though the cast of characters is modest, each is vividly etched with skill. Saroja exudes beauty, youth, and uncertainty, while Kumaresan embodies diligence tinged with naiveté.
Marayi, the matriarch, epitomizes cunning, shrewdness, and callousness. It is her persona that starkly contrasts with the optimism and warmth of Saroja and Kumaresan, revealing the depths to which humanity can plummet.
The initial scene transports us to Kumaresan’s village, where the unforgiving physical environment, marked by scorching heat, swirling dust, and pervasive loneliness, foreshadows the stern nature of the individuals Saroja is about to encounter in her husband’s village.
Initially, readers may share Kumaresan’s optimism for improvement. However, as the narrative unfolds, skepticism akin to Saroja’s begins to creep in. Ultimately, the conclusion shocks with the cruelty and brutality Saroja endures.
The rural backdrop of the village serves as an excellent stage for the narrative. Through vivid depictions of the village’s geography, fauna, and the villagers’ harsh existence in challenging climatic conditions, the stark contrast between Saroja’s past and present realities is vividly portrayed. The detailed descriptions of Kumaresan’s rocky abode are so immersive that I couldn’t help but envision the unforgiving hillside and the makeshift dwelling that caused Saroja so much anguish.
Pyre addresses a delicate social issue with straightforward yet compelling storytelling, a remarkable achievement within its concise 200 pages. Through the everyday experiences of the couple, we’re transported to a time when life was arduous, comforts were scarce, yet things were more affordable and less chaotic. However, it doesn’t evoke nostalgia or a yearning for simpler times because ultimately, the story is imbued with sadness and tragedy, leaving a melancholic but lasting impact on the reader.
Highly recommended for enthusiasts of Indian literature, aficionados of translated works, those intrigued by regional Tamil literature, and readers interested in narratives tackling social issues.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Pyre right away!
