Book Review | VK Sanju
The story of Gautama, who renounced the comforts of his royal life in Kapilavastu to seek liberation from the sufferings of disease, old age, and death, has been told and retold for centuries. Prince Siddhartha, who left behind his father King Suddhodana, his mother Queen Mayadevi, his wife Yashodhara, and his son Rahulan in the dead of night, embarked on a quest that culminated in enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This familiar journey is brought to life once again in 'Nirvana', Thayyullathil Rajan's compelling play that explores this transformative odyssey through a contemporary lens.
What sets Nirvana apart is its presentation: a single book available in six languages—Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Sanskrit, and English. More than just a multilingual literary accomplishment, Nirvana stands out as a bold reinterpretation of Siddhartha Gautama's journey, weaving together themes of humanity, rationality, and politics.
Rajan reimagines Gautama's experiences with illness and aging, framing them in ways that resonate deeply with the struggles of modern times. The narrative doesn't stop at personal suffering; it ventures into the realm of political upheavals, waves of protests, and figurative massacres, drawing parallels between Siddhartha's search for answers and the turbulence of contemporary society. The Buddha's journey becomes a mirror, reflecting the questions and solutions that society must grapple with today.
The play's strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the philosophical and the political, showing a Buddha who not only finds answers for himself but also inspires others to confront the challenges of their era. It is a masterful exploration of Gautama's transformation into the Buddha, a journey that offers infinite possibilities for literary and artistic interpretation.
Even Prof. G Shankara Pillai once noted that Siddhartha's quest to resolve the suffering of old age, illness, and death is one of the greatest challenges for a playwright. Rajan rises to this challenge with Nirvana, creating a work that has earned critical acclaim from both readers and audiences.
The play's translation into five additional languages further amplifies its reach and significance. Rajan's original Malayalam script was translated into English by KP Suneel Kumar and into Hindi by Dr. Hena; Dr. Na Da Shetty (Kannada), Dr. TM Raghuram (Tamil) and Ammini Varghese (Sanskrit) bring the play to life in their respective languages, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Nirvana is published by Nirvana: Orma and is priced at ₹300. For copies, contact: 9846601717.
This book is not just a retelling; it's a reimagining—a powerful invitation to reflect on timeless questions about life, suffering, and liberation in the context of today’s world.
