Two Pronouns and a Verb is about the perennial question: Who am I? It’s also a triangle of love and anger, with two childhood friends Arjun, the doubter, and Dhruv, the believer, at two vertices, and Eva of variable love torn between the two. Dhruv wishes to bend the universe to his beliefs, Arjun wishes to interrogate himself till the universe is revealed within himself. Eva just needs their love to survive. Two Pronouns and a Verb draws parallels from ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life. It’s the story of friends unspooling their destinies along separate paths, crisscrossing through memory, yearning and near-greatness, as each struggles to answer their first and last question.
Kiran Khalap, has one career (brand consultant) and three pursuits (writing, rock climbing and spiritual evolution). Kiran started his working life as a school teacher in a school inspired by J. Krishnamurti, the Indian sage, in Benaras, the ancient city. He lives with his wife Rajashree, in Mumbai and Nagaon, 120 kms. south of Mumbai. Kiran won the Indo-UK Asian Age Short-Story Writing competition in 1995. His first novel Halfway Up the Mountain was published in India in 2003 and in the UK and US in 2005.
I am looking forward to read the book.
ReplyDeleteSorry I could not make it to book release function yesterday, Kiran!! Your Aathya is the reason for it. I understand Sunil and Poonam came to the function. I shall consider it a favour if I could get an autographed copy the book.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for a few copies to come my way;-) Will definitely send one to Chembur!
DeletePlease see my comment below on Feb 7th
DeleteNo problems, Kaka! Will surely send across a copy soon. Yes, Sunil and Poonam did come. But unfortunately, we ran out of books!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the book! I could connect with it and all its characters at so many different levels. Reading it took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions - love, hate, anger, jealousy, forgiveness, innocence, justification, introspection...
ReplyDeleteA thought provoking page turner that forces you to reflect and struggle to answer so many of the questions the characters are faced with.
Can't wait for your next book!
Thank you Rashna! It's a writer's dream come true to connect so deeply! I respect you as a fellow pilgrim on this path of self-discovery.
ReplyDeletei really enjoyed reading the book and getting into the characters' minds as a variety of situations were thrown at them. The book truly gave me an insight into the way different people react to the same things differently.
ReplyDeleteArjun comes across as weak but surprises everyone with his will power and constant positive attitude towards life. Dhruv is portrayed as strong and courageous, but turns out to be weak and insecure. Eva seems free-willed and carefree but the reader later finds out that she hides her emotions and is detached only on the surface.
I enjoyed reading your book and look forward to reading many more of your books.
Thank you Natalia! Your analysis is amazing...that is how most of them were conceived.
ReplyDeleteThe key thing to remember is that we human beings have traces of all of them at some or another, at least that is how I see myself! Sometimes, I hide my motivation from myself...only later, I understand why I did what I did!
Thank you for taking trouble to drop in and write. I am honoured!
Kiran,
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading the book and it was an amazing experience !
I think every book needs to have great writing and fleshed out characters to be great but your book takes both of these to a new level.
A lot of writers use hundreds of words to verbalize the emotions they want to convey but throughout the book, you have been able to communicate emotions using very few words ('memories kept wrapped in cellophane' is something that is still stuck in my head) and that was the magic of the book for me.
Somehow each character while being distinct had a part of all of us in them and you can relate and empathise with all three. How different emotions can drive different individuals to extreme was captured beautifully by you.
Looking forward to the next book :)
Thanks, Chitresh, for the kind words! This is my second book, so I was able to maintain greater discipline and indulge myself less. Maybe that's what is making it a sharper experience.
DeleteThe next book is called Black River Run. Will keep you posted.
Here's a review of Two Pronouns and a Verb in DNA newspaper. Enjwai!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/review_book-review-two-pronouns-and-a-verb_1666993
Sorry for a very late review... Fiction the Genre, is just not my thing. At best i had read out the Harry Potters and Ludlums as Kids. Being a Non fiction specifically science reader, I must confess It would have been very difficult for people to convince me to read such a book at face value. Thankfully you wrote it and I read it for that reason, for otherwise I would have missed out on a distinctly Indian, original piece of work. There are many things that strike you about the book.
ReplyDeleteFor appetizers , its language is very english but also brings about a very rustic on the fringe rural setting, which i think it was intended to be. So much for my musings that a 'bhenchod' can only sound good, on an angry facebook drunk update and nothing else. How can a book not be prolix and yet be in such excruciating detail for example the one about arjun talking about people on the yatra wondering his piss being something and shit being something), it is the kind of talk normal people have doesnt find meaningful reference in a literary attempt. But it does and does quite well.
For the Main course is but ofcourse the characters. Why it touched a chord with me is where I differ in my interpretation from many. When someone runs a Marathon, people only have sentimental well done videos about a blind marathoner from kenya or some other professional athlete who ran amidsts cramps or cancer,etc, those though being highly inspiring sometimes are stories which are too distant, When a 43 year old mother decides to run a marathon in her 40s amidst a demanding life professionally and personally and finishes it before many people, inspite not being a regular runner due to many reasons, there is a story there and the 38000 others, which requires to be told, though not of attempt or triumph, but the story there to be told is for the decision to even contemplate doing what they do. There may be no lesson in it, but its a story which is as human as any other story, that is EXACTLY what this book does. Arjun, Dhruv and Eva are your regular average joe to an xyz disinterested person might be an average joe with a bit of passion, perennially angry under achiever and an promiscuous free bird. But look deep inside the bud and the flower drips nectar. The story in my opinion is not so gripping, but the characters very much are, not for their actions but for their innate human traits, told so beautifully in this book.
The Dessert here is the incredible literary scenes Khalap creates. Be it the Village race, awkward love making between Arjun and Eva in Goa, or the smoking(little stereo typing there though) leftist in the jail dhruv meets for the first time, or the entire madia gond tribal interactions or the epic decision of Arjun to do the Narmada parikrama.
Because the book is so beautifully Indian,I take liberty here to add the 'Mukhwas' here was Kiran Khalap himself, knowing his eternal love for dogs , animals and nature, his constant use few profanities and exercise schedules and his family love of everything around Nagpur not to add his early life as a teacher in a far away town. I couldnt help but see a Kiran in Arjun, Dhruv and Eva.
That is actually the quintessential essence of the book, Human traits and human wonderment and human hopes. You see an Every one in Every body.
"You can see Every one in Every body" I guess you have summed up the book better than I ever could! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are all "average Joes" with no exceptional talents but they grow up into their destinies, accepting their roles in life with greater and greater equanimity.
Thank you for an exceptionally detailed and critical appraisal...it helps every writer to know that he connected at various levels!
What Arnab Bhattacharya of The Telegraph India thought of Two Pronouns and a Verb!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.telegraphindia.com/1120420/jsp/opinion/story_15393574.jsp#.T5Ei145IlUM
Hey Kiran, just finished the book. It's about time Two Pronouns and a Verb received some deserving adjectives, like beautiful, charming etc. It felt like a journey to me, through the forests, along the river, in the city, into the lives of seemingly strong and weak personalities (prakrutis?). Very nice.
ReplyDeleteGuru, Singapore
Thanks, Guru, that is very satisfying coming from an accomplished writer! As Mr Forster said, "Only connect." And TPV appears to have connected with you! All the best to your writing too!
ReplyDelete...finished reading it all in one go. I found that I simply couldn't put it down, so it took me well past midnight, although I was tired from travelling and my eyes hurt. You are amazing Kiran. Everything rings true, that's why this book is pure magic. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteAnd there are many many places where you just assume that the reader understands, not just the cultural references, but also the philosophy. And I thank you for that. Because explanations to suit "foreign" audiences would have killed the whole thing. There are still a couple of such explanations, but it's not been watered down to get a prize, thank god.
By Deepa Krishnan, promoter of the award-winning Mumbai Magic, www.mumbaimagic.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Kiran... some glitch, cant comment under my own name so have to use my blog name. Anyway... I loved your book! You have made the characters and the story so real, rustic and earthy! I liked the distinctive ''marathi' flavour in some parts and of course Vaghya made me weep. especially when he dies- your love for dogs and your experience with them comes across nicely. I only wish Nana was more meaty... i wanted to know more about him! Will be eagerly awaiting the next novel. Is it planned as a sequel to this one?
ReplyDeleteVishesh (I guess that's the real name?) thanks a lot for this comment. Nothing is more satisfying than connecting with the readers at multiple levels! The next novel is called Black River Run. Just as this one uses ayurveda as a substratum, Black River Run uses Swami Samarth Ramdas's teachings. I believe he was one of the few saints who had evolved along all three exes of body, mind and spirit!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have read the first book named Halfway Up the Mountain? That one uses Adi Shankaracharya's Atmashatakam as the base. (Halfway Up the Mountain means mediocre;-))
kiran vishesh is me, aarti, sorry didnt realise that you wouldnt know that. how stupid of mehats my blog under Sparky's name!! And no I havent read halfway.....and on the back cover it said that you are writing BUVA, which i assumed would be a sequel.....!and once again congrats on such fine writing!
ReplyDeleteAarti Phekar? Right! No wonder you loved the Marathi! Buva is the name the publisher is insisting on, Black River Run is what I am insisting on! Give me an address, and I'll courier you HUM. You will find a lot more of Konkan there!
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading Two pronouns and a Verb. I loved the intricate weaving of descriptive words in the writing.
ReplyDeleteSome of your thoughts had me fascinated and most of the content very enlightening.
The sentence on pg 127 -"life evolves as a spiral.We visit the same points but at a higher location." was beautiful and thought provoking...This perfectly simple statement managed to convey the complex realities of life so succinctly.
Another one on pg 9 when Kaka is trying to pacify a petulant Dhruv " better to show anger than hide it ". Simple and spot on for a person who is used to hiding anger and forever taking on a I'm the sacrificial lamb stand. Smile
Another favorite was on pg 126 -"I slashed and burnt every relationship in order to establish one . With myself", and I mustn't forget to mention it.
Extracts from fledgeling writer, Singapore, June 6, 2012
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ReplyDeleteWow! This is one of many splendid passages in the book. I find the tale -- the writing-- musical, magical, lyrical ...
As a still-in-the-closet aspiring writer, I have to confess it made me somewhat vertiginous, reading page after poetry-laden page. But my angst rapidly gave way to enchantment. Bravo Kiran!!!
Woops! The passage I meant to quote was this one:
ReplyDelete"Against a virgin moon, I see a burly driver walking with a rope cot effortlessly under his left arm; in his right hand he holds the palm of a teenage girl with two beribboned plaits.
Soon the moon will bleed; then return to his chakkars around the earth, eyes shut, gagged by shame. The girl will become a woman, will learn to hate men, then will probably learn to exploit the weakness of their loins."
Thanks, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteWhether you are conscious of it or not, you already have your own individual style... and we look forward to reading your memories of a chaos called India;-)
A couple of questions Kiran ... do you scuba dive, and where did you learn about ayurvedic medicine? Just curious about some of the real-life stuff that informed parts of your splendid novel.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't scuba dive, Lisa, but I have several friends who have reached teacher status, and I have heard them speak about their experiences. The closest I have come to experiencing the beauty of the underwater universe is at the Great Barrier Reef, where R and I snorkelled in the open sea.
ReplyDeleteAyurveda I was exposed to when, as a brand consultant, we did the brand creation for Ayush, a Unilever brand. I met some of the award-winning doctors, visited their college in Kerala, absorbed anecdotes, read up at least three famous books, and actually wrote their web site!
It's an amazingly mature science and totally integrated with Indian spiritual view of the universe.
Would you interested in reading my first novel? It is based on Atma Shatakam, (Song of the Soul) by Shankaracharya, the great philosopher from 8th century India.
I have copies of the Indian edition (there was a slightly different UK version.)
Let me know...and keep writing in your usual style ;-)
I sure would, Kiran!!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to hear some of the real life anecdotes that inform parts of novels. You really got that underwater world articulated marvelously. I haven't yet done any diving -- just snorkeling. But I'd say your writing is more like scuba diving, and mine is more like snorkeling at this stage. I want to go deep, more often, and for longer periods, instead of just observing from the surface. You do that seemingly effortlessly.
Your accounts of ayurveda in the novel are fascinating, and made me wish I could find a good ayurvedic physician here in Jakarta, if not to treat me, at least to have long chats with!
Looking forward to your other book! Thanks!
Love your work, I guess its one of those works which will continue to provide different perspectives based on the state of mind that you are in. Can't get Dhruv off my head, also like the nuggets on Ayurveda.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Oli
Thanks, Oli. To connect is great, to be remembered greater!
ReplyDeleteHi Kiran, absolutely loved your book. It has been a while since I read through the night because I could not put a book down. That itself is such a soul enriching experience. How do you manage to come up with prose so fluid it is almost poetry? Page on page of a rich, intense and such a complicated search for self presented in such a simple, non-assuming manner. Amazing balance of the intellectual and the interesting. Thank you for writing about so many things I love, especially, Pune capturing its essence of Wadas and the ashram with such poignancy. Thank you for characters who will live with me for a long time to come though Dhruv and Kaka are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dharini! This is high praise indeed coming from someone so well-read. Had re-visited the Wadas, Parvati and the Ashram to refresh my childhood memories of Pune and Sinhagad:-)
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeleteHad read your second novel quite some time back at one go. Found the story very interesting and many of the descriptions poetic and beautiful. All the three main characters stay with you - Dhruv's determination against an iniquitous system; Arjun's sensitive, sage-mind; and Eva a true friend for them.
Warm regards,
Pankaj
Thank you Pankaj, for your appreciation! Just a reminder: there is a good writer waiting within you too!
ReplyDeleteI liked the book. It's a nice story between three wonderful friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Harshal...that is very kind of you!
DeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeleteYour leadership speech (At Karla) was very motivational..
Thank you Varsha!
DeleteHere is another heartfelt and sincere review by Dakshayani Athalye on my book 'Halfway Up the Mountain'
ReplyDelete"I am not sure if my writing will qualify to become a literary review however I am sure it is a qualified 100% honest expression.
While reading Halfway up the Mountain one understands that the author has something to say. It is not just another book with some interesting story line and some twists but rather it is a design book which allows the reader to go through a process of relating, questioning and discovering.
I particularly remember how 'chidananda roopam' reappears in the story and connects with the instances. Particularly for me, this reconnect was extremely significant. I have lived in a family (now you know what kind) where reciting hymns, stotras, shlokas, bhajans; was so common and sometimes so over done that I have some aversion to them. Though this aversion is not in principle but yet it peeps somewhere round the corner. I had sung chidananda roopam, at least a 100 or more times but never really connected with it. Your book just brought me back to these old songs in a more meaningful way.
Aham bhojanam naive bhojyam na bhokta
I am neither enjoyment nor the enjoyer, neither am I the object of enjoyment.
However, I am somewhere still the bhojyam and I savoured the book.
I particularly liked that the protagonist is not an ideal nor fantasised. The humanness of the characters is so real that it does not become hard to find them around you and sometimes even within you.
Importantly, Maya is just a human being as I am, almost 90% similar. The last chapter mentions how she buries her mangalsutra and burns the letters, she had preserved all these years. For me this resonated the most. I have always been in two minds about preserving and discarding things which have been close to me and have always preferred throwing them away, with great difficulty. But this exercise brings something very valuable which I cannot explain, however has been captured well in the book.
Your writing style is exceptionally precise and your experiment of writing as a narrator to Maya is beautiful as it creates a dialogue not only with Maya but with the reader.
You are the 1st Indian English fiction writer that I truly admire and I shall wait to read more from you.