Review: മുല്ലപ്പൂ നിറമുള്ള പകലുകൾ | Mullappoo Niramulla Pakalukal

മുല്ലപ്പൂ നിറമുള്ള പകലുകൾ | Mullappoo Niramulla Pakalukal by Benyamin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

മുല്ലപ്പൂ നിറമുള്ള പകലുകൾ (Jasmine colored days) by writer-journalist Benyamin, a twin novel to his own work അല്‍-അറേബ്യന്‍ നോവല്‍ ഫാക്ടറി Al-Arabian Novel Factory invokes much the same feelings in me. That of excitement over the geopolitical conflicts presented via fictionalized accounts and pseudonyms. A narrative which promises much reveals and depths into the life under and inner workings of a totalitarian regime.

But much in the same way, in its third act, just as things start to get tense, they fizzle into nothing, or wrap up without much preamble. Denying you the intellectual release garnered from a satisfying conclusion. Which is sad, considering the themes which are explored across the length and breadth of the work.

This story focuses on the life of Samira Parwin, the author of the fictional manuscript titled 'Waiting for spring', which kicked of much of the conflict in the sister story of Al Arabian novel factory

In that novel, we are told how the book, or rather the manuscript written by Samira, had caused much outrage among the regime and had prompted them to cover up the whole affair. Going so far as to bribe and silence publishers abroad and incarcerating those who had actually read the book. In that context, this story, which is narrated in form of email communications between Samira and her friend, is lacking.

Samira is an immigrant in the fictional 'City of Joy' (Likely the real world Manama, Bahrain), part of a wholly immigrant Pakistani joint family, where her father and all male relatives are employed in the government's security forces. They see the regime led by His Majesty, the ruler of the nation, to be their benefactors and are hence fiercely loyal to it.



Samira, who also views the regime in a positive light, is employed as a RJ in the city's popular Radio station. Her life is filled with navigating life in a somewhat conservative family with her steadfast personality, as well as the playfully abrasive relationship between expats such as herself, with the group of Indian jockeys in matters of politics and ideology. In her free time, she also enjoys the company of a group of like minded music enthusiast group christened the String walkers.

Yet, as time goes on her life, and the political climate of the city of joy becomes embroiled in more and more conflict. Tensions arise between the disgruntled indigenous populace and the foreign migrant populace. The locals, start protests against the Totalitarian regime of the ruler known only as 'His Majesty' who treats them as second class citizens and is hoarding all the natural resources of their nations. They are opposed by the loyalists of the regime, comprised of the minority elite, as well as the largely migrant foreign populace, who have benefited from His majesty and his regime.

The protests, which began as peaceful, organized, non-cooperation struggles, were co-opted by opportunists and quickly devolved into a religious revolt; between the running Sunni class versus the Oppressed Shiites. As happens when religion becomes involves, the whole affair ignites into violence and revolts. Before being ruthlessly put down, and peace forcibly reinstated.

Samira's family, who is fiercely pro regime clashes against her friends and mentors many of whom are revolutionaries seeking democratic change in the nation. Which results in collateral damage to both sides, Samira in particular.

We get to see the change which comes over the young woman, who was largely naïve to the political reality but is plunged into it without warning, and comes out jaded.
______________________________________

What Works

Benyamin, tapping into his extensive journalistic experience in the Middle east, has infused this story with a depth and intensity which makes you enthralled in the ground level reality of many conflict ridden middle eastern regimes.

Like an onion, he slowly peels away the layers of this society who have spent generations suffering under an autocratic regime. Piece by piece he lifts the veil, and shows us the resentment that has been shouldering not just in the present, but as a result of injustices suffered generations ago.

How truth, as one perceives it, is multifaceted. In the story, even as intellectuals, revolutionaries and foreign media condemn several atrocities committed by His majesty's regime, the local populace are either ruthlessly suppressed, kept ignorant through propaganda and kept as a blind dogs who serve the regime.

Yet no matter how much they try to cover it up and quash it, the resentment, the indignation which arises from justice denies, builds up, piece by piece, until a single shocking event lights fire to the entire powder keg.

But like many things which began well intended, the revolution and democratic struggles are soon corrupted due to the strangle hold of religious fundamentalists, who turn it into a sectarian conflict between the Shia and Sunni. Tapping into the hatred generated by the regime's atrocities, they misdirect it, tainting it with religious doctrines, turning young men who had dreamt of democracy, into murder fueled zealots, who spread indiscriminate death and destruction.

When the dust settles, what remains are fire and ashes, and a bunch of broken people, and sundered families.

This slow burn towards catastrophe is beautifully covered across the narrative.
___________________________

What doesn't work

The characters & the plot

Samira Parwin is an engaging character, surrounded by relatable and organic supporting character. But the first half or so of the story focuses largely, entirely on her interpersonal relationships and problems. Her dreams, aspirations and ideals. Her family life and hobbies.

While this is useful in making us intimate with the character, I felt that the narrative focuses too much on this line of character development. Don't get me wrong, the interactions between Samira, her family and friends are engaging to read, but doesn't contribute much to the political narrative which the story is attempting to convey.

Not to mention, in the third act of the book, several key characters seem to undergo a complete heel turns in regards to their personalities, which causes a certain amount of whiplash to the readers.

Which brings us chiefly to, the third act. After waiting patiently and reading the escalating events which eventually leads to civil war and its ruthless suppression, we are still waiting for the consequences which it wrought for Samira and how it will change her as a person.

While there are such events, I believe they were not handled with as much breathing room as they deserved. It such a short blink and miss way of writing, that we breeze through crucial story points, as if the writer wants to wrap up the conclusion as quickly as possible. We get so pitifully little of the after, which should have been explored much in debt.

Another jarring aspect, is how far removed Samira is front the actual progression of events. Most of the things we learn, in terms of the regime, the revolution and such is heard from someone else. Often times, its Samira hearing the story of the things, from some friend, acquaintance, or friend of a friend, which keeps us far away in terms of engagement. A mostly tell not show form of writing. The experiences which Samira herself has are few and far in between.

In conclusion, Jasmine Colored days is a story which, in some aspects works well for me, while in other, doesn't work at all. But the effort put into the first two halves is commendable and for that I'm rating it 3 out of 5

View all my reviews