Tamas (PB)

Tamas, in either Rockwell’s translation or the original Hindi, remains an essential text for the times’ Nilanjana Roy, Business Standard ‘Tamas is a prophetic warning against the use of religion as a weapon to gain and perpetuate political power’ GOVIND NIHALANI In a city in undivided Punjab, Nathu, a tanner, is bribed to kill a pig. When the animal’s carcass is discovered on the steps of the local mosque the next morning, simmering tensions explode into an orgy of bloodlust. But in the midst of the ensuing carnage, despite the darkness of the times, rare moments of unexpected friendship and love also surface. Winner of the Sahitya Aakdemi Award, Sahni’s iconic novel about the Partition of India tells the tale of an unfolding riot from different vantage points. In Daisy Rockwell’s definitive translation, this magnificent work comes vividly to life. ‘Tamas drove the point home that ordinary people want to live in peace’ Guardian