Saturday, January 6, 2007

R.K.Laxman's The Hotel Riviera

Literature is something which reflects the society. There is a Hindi saying "Sahitya samug ka dharpan he" meaning Literature is society's mirror reflection. One such reflection which I happened to c sometime back is "The Hotel Riviera" by R.K.Laxman, the well known cartoonist and brother of R.K.Narayan author of immortal - Malgudi days. Like to pen my views so that I cud share my happiness with all u ppl.

I finished the book some 2 weeks back, but still have the repercussions in me. What a pensive writing style this man has got! I never expected this from an acclaimed cartoonist, was absolutely astounded by his ingenious writing style and the way he narrates each and every character and blending them with straight and simple story line.

Story line is - "A mid aged man is in love with a woman but doesn't know how to express it"

The story revolves in & around the Hotel Riviera where the author stays while working on deputation at Bombay for a rubber company operating @ Chennai. The story spans some 5-10 years after independence i.e. in mid 1950's so the building and its surroundings has rustic feel and reader too can feel the same thru the letters of the author.

The main characters of the story are the author himself, The Manager of the Hotel Riviera - a gentleman in his mid 30's, Sabitha a destitute but a seductive beauty trying to enter tinsel dome ironically working in the laundry found near the hotel reception, Rao-a Clerk, the swamiyar from south India, Francis - lift operator, Lal - the all in all shabby looking but witty peon working some company who loves Sabitha and even successful in his attempts.

Every character let it be the Manager or Sabitha or Panditji or Military Major or Lal has their own problems and their own ways to get out of the same, which is being brilliantly elucidated by Laxman's vivid narration as an officer on deputation from a rubber company. U can find that author cleverly makes the Manager's crush on Sabitha and his self talk on the same itself as a character with its own twists & turns. When u follow the story keenly you can c the author has chosen the role of officer on deputation as brilliant choice since he can make his apperance on and off at his will and can throw the some decisions to the reader himself rather him narrating.

What happens to Managers love, did sabitha enters into tinsel dome, how the panditji changed the life of manager, did chaos at Hotel Riviera end, did the author accomplishes his mission? U can find answers to all this questions while u finish reading Hotel Riviera.

I find the entire narration enthralling where u can find this kind of characters in our everyday life but miss out in our banal life. The author is witty & satirical in his work and eloquent as well.

Felt very impressed and liked to share my experience with u all ppl so that if there is opportunity to read this book u would never miss that.

2 comments:

Ram said...

Welcome 2 the blog world da. Hev fun in writing.

Raj said...

Thanks Ram. Expect more posts.