Doon-based author Roshen Dalal’s first novel (her tenth work) - 'The Guru Who Came Down from the Mountain' has been published recently by Speaking Tiger and is quite intriguing to read in these times of many Godmen turning out all wrong !It is the story of a Guru and a disciple, both absolutely opposite of each other, told against the backdrop of Uttarakhand, especially Dehradun and Rishikesh.
Dev, the guru, is charismatic and powerful, with thousands of followers around the world, and a string of ashrams fuelled by a flourishing business in drugs and gun-running. Ashrams that bring him the power and wealth he craves and fulfil his desire for women. But of all the women he knows—and at times, loves—there are three who play a pivotal role in his life: his wife, Gita, whose death is shrouded in mystery, and Cynthia and Madge, who unwittingly launch him into his career as a guru.
Nitya is Dev’s complete antithesis—pure of heart and deeply spiritual. He comes to Dev as a disciple, and for years his devotion to his guru makes him blind to his failings. But when the truth can no longer be ignored, he is disillusioned. The brilliant psychological relation between the guru and his disciple is central to Dalal’s novel.
Though he escapes charges of rape and murder, Dev does finally receive a death sentence—he is fatally afflicted with AIDS. As he lies on his deathbed in Rishikesh, Nitya comes to see him, unable to turn away from him completely.
Dev tells him his story, and what compelled him to make the choices he did. Nitya also uncovers the truth about Gita’s death.
When the end finally comes, Nitya has a deeper understanding of the man he once loved so blindly, and realises how, ultimately, the quest for perfection can be marred by human frailty.
Talking to The Pioneer, Roshen Dalal said that the theme of the novel is “Free will versus Destiny”.
“I have tried to ask the question whether we do or do not have a free will in life. Is everything in our lives pre-ordained? Can we escape destiny?” says Dalal who has settled in the Doon valley since the year 2013. Earlier, for many years, she was visiting the valley as her mother, Nergis Dalal lived here. Roshen had her early schooling at Cambrian Hall, Dehradun. She says this book is special to her as it is her first work of fiction.
Roshen Dalal is the author of the bestselling two-volume Puffin History of India and The Puffin History of the World. Her other books include The Religions of India:
A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths, Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide and India at 70: Snapshots Since Independence. She lives in Dehradun and is currently writing a sequel to The Guru Who Came Down from the Mountain. Roshen is also working on a book on the Upanishads.
Her book India at 70, Snapshots Since Independence was released on August 15, 2017.
The book is a well-researched account of the nation’s evolution over the past seven decades. It captures snippets of each of these 70 years through important events in various areas like politics, culture, science, sports, literature, music and television industry. Against India’s political backdrop, it provides glimpses of the country’s vast and rich culture, its diversity and many languages, its eminent personalities and its achievements in all spheres.
In literature, the book provides accounts of various authors, poets, and works in many of the twenty-two languages recognized in the Constitution. In cinema, select actors, film and directors have been chosen out of hundreds, again across various languages. Then there are details of television and tele-serials, artists, musicians, dancers, and types of art, music and dance. The book also indicates how tradition is gradually giving way to new forms of culture, and showcases some of the latest trends.
Roshen Dalal was born in Mussoorie, and lived in various places in India, including Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, before settling in Dehradun, where she now resides along with several rescued cats and a dog. She has an MA and a PhD in ancient Indian history from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has taught both at school and university level, and has been involved in research in the fields of history, religion, philosophy and education.