Chanakya's Chant (Ashwin Sanghi)

“Chetan Bhagat is making India read like never before”, something of this kind was published by a news paper or a magazine a couple of years ago, and I believe it’s hard to argue with this fact. However after his huge success, shelves of book stores started covering itself with a number of books with Indian names, many of whom were young and first time writers, there was only one problem, everyone wanted to be the next Chetan Bhagat and instead of developing new ideas, everyone wrote their experience in their Engineering or MBA colleges with adequate dosages of booze parties and complicated relationships. I like to call this the “K factor” phenomenon for Indian fiction, just as same done by Ekta Kapoor, where every new serial on Indian television started with the letter “K” and contained a grieving Heroine and headache.

Although Indian Television still needs to get out of wrath of the women, Indian fiction market has improved with diverse genres. They are even not afraid to touch Indian Mythology or History and tweak it a little bit with imagination. Chanaky’s Chant falls in preciously this category. History, Politics, Manipulation, Power, King and the King Maker, everything worth reading.

What’s unique about this book is the way of presentation. There are simultaneously two stories. One about the original Chanakya, his revenge and his aim to make Chandragupt king of unified India. And other about Pandit Gangasagar Mishra, a present day political strategist, with a sole aim to put a girl from a slum into the chair of Prime Minister of India.

The book draws parallel between these two; similarities include, a bright minded fellow from humble beginning with an unthinkable ambition, making the dirty choices with little consideration for morality and manipulating people around to get the work done.

The writer has worked hard, but book contains a few historical inaccuracies, and a few instances which look straight out of an action story, and a lot of famous quotations for which proper acknowledgement have been provided. Otherwise the flow is good, and you feel like keep on reading until the very end and makes a thrilling read.

If you are into politics, or like to read about it, this is your book. The power play is well written, sometimes though it looks unreliable but is passable.

Cost of book is Rs. 195 on cover and you can get a discount from Flipkart or any other web based shop.

Rating ***.