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The friendless God
The Friendless God is a novel set in modern India and tracks the lives of three individuals, one of whom loves, the second hates and third makes use of Lord Rama. Kodanda is fascinated by Lord Rama but is unable to worship him because he faces resistance from his strong-willed mother Vaidehi and for street-smart orphan Raman, Lord Rama is another tool to move ahead in life. The novel traces the lives of these three and their different equations with Lord Rama. Its denouement happens on the day millions converged in Ayodhya to claim the land they considered the birthplace of Rama.
356 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 2, 2024
Good idea but badly executed story - https://www.anuradhagoyal.com/the-fri...
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February 18, 2018There is little doubt that India is a country of myriad facets, where the ancient co-exists with the modern. "The Friendless God" is S. Anuradha's debut novel. The Singapore based journalist specialises in equities.
Set against the backdrop of the turbulent demolition of the Babri Masjid and the Ram Janmabhoomi in 1992 for the larger premise, the novel interestingly follows the parallel yet overlapping journeys of an atheist single mother Vaidehi, who is also a struggling Carnatic music exponent and her son Kodanda, who tries to befriend Rama, meets with resistance from his mother Vaidehi. In addition, the book follows the life of an orphan Raman, for whom Rama is a tool to scale ahead in life. It is within this framework that "The Friendless God" traces the lives of the three characters and their equations with the scion of Ikshvaku: Rama.
"The Friendless God" is set in small towns of Andhra Pradesh amidst their domestic roles who end up fighting over their purpose in life. Vaidehi, who received scorn for her incomprehensible pronunciation in Carnatic music tries her best to wean away her son from the art form. Interestingly, there are some terms which find their origins in Carnatic music. For someone who is not familiar with the intricacies of Carnatic music, a glossary might have helped. However, this does not impede or take away anything from the story. Through the book, we are introduced to their parallel and overlapping journeys through differences in their approaches to gardening. The quest to befriend Rama takes a sharp turn when Kodanda leaves home to participate in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the distant Ayodhya.
While the conflict is essentially focussed on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the book also throws some light on the language debates between Tamil and Telugu. Telugu, interestingly, is often seen as the source language of Carnatic music. In doing so, the book gently weaves an interesting web of complex people, for all of whom Rama becomes a medium to reach their ends: While reading, it is striking that even peripheral characters such as Ramiuddin, a Muslim boatman is sketched out effectively. Ramiuddin struggles with his conscience as he comes to terms with ferrying Rama bhaktas to Ayodhya in his boat on the river Sarayu.
The book is a result of four years of meticulous and extensive research which is reflected in the way the plot unfolds. Beginning in South India, the book begins with a rambling and unhurried pace, which is largely reflective of the way in which the rhythm of life unfolds in rural and semi-urban India. The slow pace of the book impeded my progress as I found it difficult to negotiate the book through the initial 100 pages. However, the book does gain pace when the lives of the three characters come in contact with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. With an easy going style, the book is a delight to read.
In an interview, the author S. Anuradha mentioned that she was drawn towards the subject of the book due to the myriad possibilities it presented. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement took place a year after the 1991 Economic Reforms, which introduced India to globalisation. The result being a clash between an India that focussed on economic growth and opportunities and a cultural India, where the birthplace of Sri Rama mattered. The book, in its quest to explore its relationship with God, raises some important points such as the fetish for ignoring our Hindu identity in public life: "The Hindu seems to have died, from being a Hindu. It is like the air we breathe, but we don't seem to acknowledge it. In fact, we have made a fetish of ignoring our Hindu identity in public life."
I admit that my introduction to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement was from the left and until four years ago, the very mention of a temple made me deeply uncomfortable. An attempt to read more led me to acknowledge my identity and hence, "The Friendless God" by S. Anuradha was a revelation. It fulfilled my purpose to learn more about the movement. In the latter pages, I found myself agreeing with many important points the author raises in her work. Rooted firmly in ground realities, the book offers an interesting take on a well-known premise that redefined India's association with its culture. I strongly recommend reading the book and will look forward to reading the author's next work.
Set against the backdrop of the turbulent demolition of the Babri Masjid and the Ram Janmabhoomi in 1992 for the larger premise, the novel interestingly follows the parallel yet overlapping journeys of an atheist single mother Vaidehi, who is also a struggling Carnatic music exponent and her son Kodanda, who tries to befriend Rama, meets with resistance from his mother Vaidehi. In addition, the book follows the life of an orphan Raman, for whom Rama is a tool to scale ahead in life. It is within this framework that "The Friendless God" traces the lives of the three characters and their equations with the scion of Ikshvaku: Rama.
"The Friendless God" is set in small towns of Andhra Pradesh amidst their domestic roles who end up fighting over their purpose in life. Vaidehi, who received scorn for her incomprehensible pronunciation in Carnatic music tries her best to wean away her son from the art form. Interestingly, there are some terms which find their origins in Carnatic music. For someone who is not familiar with the intricacies of Carnatic music, a glossary might have helped. However, this does not impede or take away anything from the story. Through the book, we are introduced to their parallel and overlapping journeys through differences in their approaches to gardening. The quest to befriend Rama takes a sharp turn when Kodanda leaves home to participate in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the distant Ayodhya.
While the conflict is essentially focussed on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the book also throws some light on the language debates between Tamil and Telugu. Telugu, interestingly, is often seen as the source language of Carnatic music. In doing so, the book gently weaves an interesting web of complex people, for all of whom Rama becomes a medium to reach their ends: While reading, it is striking that even peripheral characters such as Ramiuddin, a Muslim boatman is sketched out effectively. Ramiuddin struggles with his conscience as he comes to terms with ferrying Rama bhaktas to Ayodhya in his boat on the river Sarayu.
The book is a result of four years of meticulous and extensive research which is reflected in the way the plot unfolds. Beginning in South India, the book begins with a rambling and unhurried pace, which is largely reflective of the way in which the rhythm of life unfolds in rural and semi-urban India. The slow pace of the book impeded my progress as I found it difficult to negotiate the book through the initial 100 pages. However, the book does gain pace when the lives of the three characters come in contact with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. With an easy going style, the book is a delight to read.
In an interview, the author S. Anuradha mentioned that she was drawn towards the subject of the book due to the myriad possibilities it presented. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement took place a year after the 1991 Economic Reforms, which introduced India to globalisation. The result being a clash between an India that focussed on economic growth and opportunities and a cultural India, where the birthplace of Sri Rama mattered. The book, in its quest to explore its relationship with God, raises some important points such as the fetish for ignoring our Hindu identity in public life: "The Hindu seems to have died, from being a Hindu. It is like the air we breathe, but we don't seem to acknowledge it. In fact, we have made a fetish of ignoring our Hindu identity in public life."
I admit that my introduction to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement was from the left and until four years ago, the very mention of a temple made me deeply uncomfortable. An attempt to read more led me to acknowledge my identity and hence, "The Friendless God" by S. Anuradha was a revelation. It fulfilled my purpose to learn more about the movement. In the latter pages, I found myself agreeing with many important points the author raises in her work. Rooted firmly in ground realities, the book offers an interesting take on a well-known premise that redefined India's association with its culture. I strongly recommend reading the book and will look forward to reading the author's next work.
December 4, 2017
An interesting & a compelling read. Debut novel of Journalist cum author S. Anuradha. Set with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement as the background, the book traces the journey of 3 ppl sharing distinct relationship with God - an atheist mother, a God loving innocent son & a friend who just wants to get on with life for whom God is a medium for that purpose and their respective tyrst with God. From Bhadrapuram in Andhra Pradesh to Ayodhya in Ram Janmabhoomi. The down to earth writing style of the author and an interesting premise on a compelling topic makes this a compelling read. Go & read it
January 5, 2018
I had an opportunity to read “Friendless God”, your maiden work that Krish shared with me.
The book gives a vivid reality of how simple people get influenced by the political movements and take endeavours which affect them so much including losing their own lives. Both Kodanda’s pure love for Ram and Raman’s practical approach to live lead them to Ayodhya with one losing his life and another making a future in politics.
Amazed at how you have kept yourself close to ground realities of life in India even after being so many years in a foreign land.
Looking for your next publication.
February 25, 2018
The first part of the book was a delightful read. Complex characters, simple situations, lots of information woven in inconspicuously (the evolution of the Machilipatinam style from the Srikalahasti one, the different types of sacred plants, and many others). Different points of view shown with sympathy.
It was when the scene shifted from the personal God to the political one that the book lost its tautness. What could have been a LotR type of narrative between the forces of the universe and the quest of an individual became slightly diluted. The chapters became longer and one PoV disappeared completely.
But the futility of the climax and the epilogue made up.
Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who either wants to read about a defining moment where the current affairs we lived through became
History, or loves to read an account of life in everyday India.
It was when the scene shifted from the personal God to the political one that the book lost its tautness. What could have been a LotR type of narrative between the forces of the universe and the quest of an individual became slightly diluted. The chapters became longer and one PoV disappeared completely.
But the futility of the climax and the epilogue made up.
Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who either wants to read about a defining moment where the current affairs we lived through became
History, or loves to read an account of life in everyday India.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2020
Reminds me of Annamayya a Telugu film
The story revolves around three characters, Kodanda a good for nothing boy. He is innocent, stupid but kind and has unparalleled devotion.
Vaidehi his mother, she is kind, strong and determined. She believes she is an atheist but she simply hates god for perhaps misaries in her life.
Raman is introduced a little later, he is an orphan juggling from one relatives house to another. He is smart and knows the way of the world.
Vaidehi character is perhaps the most complex one. She is determined to remove Rama from her son's life but unknowingly pushes him towards him. Kodanda is not so smart and that is perhaps because of her. Whenever it seems something good is going on for him, she pulls him away because one way or other Lord Rama keeps on getting in their lives. For example she pulls him out of school after a moral science teacher introduced Rama to Kodanda and instead joins him in a technical school despite his younger age. She is determined!
Kodanda for most of his life lives under the shadow of his mother. He doesn't want to lie to his mother and he doesn't want to forget Rama. His dilama and his innocence at times causes irritation and at times causes sympathy and admiration. And when he starts his journey to visit the friendless god, then an adventure begins. An adventure which reminds of Annamayya.
Raman is a nomad, he struggles to find his place in the world. He wants to make something of himself. His mind and his activeness are his greatest allies in this quest. Through this character we get to see the world as it is. Its darkest and brightest bits. His life changes for better when he meets Dasaradha a struggling politician.
The things I liked in the book.
1) The book introduced so many new professions to me. From singing to mining. Their glamorous and worst bits.
2) Bitter truth about politics. How Ramajanmabumi is politicised by vultures.
3) I felt like this book gives fair hearing to either sides.
4) The climax, nothing unexpected but What a climax. It almost made me cry. The epilogue gives perfect ending to all the characters. A bitter sweet ending.
5) This book describes how poor farmers are cheated out of their lands and people who are supposedly fighting to protect them, the naxalites.
6) The book has somany quotes.
Uniqueness.
Every character in this book is named after characters from Ramayana. There seems to be a character where author seems to have broken the pattern but two lines later the character changes their name.
Suggestions:
This is a bit hypocritical coming from me, if I ever wrote a book I want it to be judged for its content more than language. But nevertheless, I think there is room for improvement albeit a little.
My recommendation:
I will definitely recommend this book for Rama devoties, people who wants to read about Ram Janmabhoomi issue, Naxalites, how politicians are profiting from religion, bitter truth about society, singing, cooking, gardening,handlomming and many other professions.
I would like to congratulate the author for writing such a wonderful book and thank her for introducing so many new things to me.
Jai Sree Rama
The story revolves around three characters, Kodanda a good for nothing boy. He is innocent, stupid but kind and has unparalleled devotion.
Vaidehi his mother, she is kind, strong and determined. She believes she is an atheist but she simply hates god for perhaps misaries in her life.
Raman is introduced a little later, he is an orphan juggling from one relatives house to another. He is smart and knows the way of the world.
Vaidehi character is perhaps the most complex one. She is determined to remove Rama from her son's life but unknowingly pushes him towards him. Kodanda is not so smart and that is perhaps because of her. Whenever it seems something good is going on for him, she pulls him away because one way or other Lord Rama keeps on getting in their lives. For example she pulls him out of school after a moral science teacher introduced Rama to Kodanda and instead joins him in a technical school despite his younger age. She is determined!
Kodanda for most of his life lives under the shadow of his mother. He doesn't want to lie to his mother and he doesn't want to forget Rama. His dilama and his innocence at times causes irritation and at times causes sympathy and admiration. And when he starts his journey to visit the friendless god, then an adventure begins. An adventure which reminds of Annamayya.
Raman is a nomad, he struggles to find his place in the world. He wants to make something of himself. His mind and his activeness are his greatest allies in this quest. Through this character we get to see the world as it is. Its darkest and brightest bits. His life changes for better when he meets Dasaradha a struggling politician.
The things I liked in the book.
1) The book introduced so many new professions to me. From singing to mining. Their glamorous and worst bits.
2) Bitter truth about politics. How Ramajanmabumi is politicised by vultures.
3) I felt like this book gives fair hearing to either sides.
4) The climax, nothing unexpected but What a climax. It almost made me cry. The epilogue gives perfect ending to all the characters. A bitter sweet ending.
5) This book describes how poor farmers are cheated out of their lands and people who are supposedly fighting to protect them, the naxalites.
6) The book has somany quotes.
Uniqueness.
Every character in this book is named after characters from Ramayana. There seems to be a character where author seems to have broken the pattern but two lines later the character changes their name.
Suggestions:
This is a bit hypocritical coming from me, if I ever wrote a book I want it to be judged for its content more than language. But nevertheless, I think there is room for improvement albeit a little.
My recommendation:
I will definitely recommend this book for Rama devoties, people who wants to read about Ram Janmabhoomi issue, Naxalites, how politicians are profiting from religion, bitter truth about society, singing, cooking, gardening,handlomming and many other professions.
I would like to congratulate the author for writing such a wonderful book and thank her for introducing so many new things to me.
Jai Sree Rama
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2021
"The Friendless God" is a touching story about one man’s unyielding devotion to Lord Rama. Each of the three main characters of the story each has a different relationship with Lord Rama. Kodanda is a naïve young man who is irresistibly drawn to Lord Rama while his overbearing mother, Vaidehi, who is an atheist, hates the mere mention of Lord Rama. Raman is the third character, an orphan who befriends Kodanda, who uses anything or anyone to get ahead in life, including Lord Rama. Raman is everything Kodanda is not – he is street smart and a sharp young man who knows how to survive. Kodanda is of a submissive nature, not particularly bright and is therefore dependent on his mother. His main struggle is to find an expression for his love for Lord Rama which his mother impedes at every turn. All paths lead him to Lord Rama so whatever he does, be it painting, singing or gardening, becomes an expression of his love for Lord Rama. Though he is too timid to stand up to Vaidehi’s forceful opposition, he never gives up his devotion. While Kodanda is going through his personal struggle the larger issue of the Ram Janmabhoomi /Babri Masjid conflict looms in the background. The story takes us through the series of events which bring Kodanda to Ayodhya when the destruction of the Babri Masjid happens.
In the past I used to be neutral on the issue of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple but over the last few years my position has shifted. This book helped me see the issue from the point of view of the devotees of Lord Rama for whom there was a deep sense of disappointment. While those politically motivated used the dispute for their own personal gains, the sorrow of Lord Rama’s devotees is very real. Kodanda’s plight seems to represent the plight of the devotees of Lord Rama who feel helpless at their inability to get the temple constructed at Lord Rama’s birthplace.
I loved how the author describes South Indian life --particularly enjoyed the parts about Kalamkari painting and Carnatic music!
In the past I used to be neutral on the issue of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple but over the last few years my position has shifted. This book helped me see the issue from the point of view of the devotees of Lord Rama for whom there was a deep sense of disappointment. While those politically motivated used the dispute for their own personal gains, the sorrow of Lord Rama’s devotees is very real. Kodanda’s plight seems to represent the plight of the devotees of Lord Rama who feel helpless at their inability to get the temple constructed at Lord Rama’s birthplace.
I loved how the author describes South Indian life --particularly enjoyed the parts about Kalamkari painting and Carnatic music!
October 26, 2017
A very interesting theme involving the Rama of Ayodhya and three characters. Set in small towns of AP, the narrative is engaging and goes on with the lives of two characters- Kodanda and Raman. Kodanda has a mother, Vaidehi who has turned anti-Rama and does not want her son to discover God or Rama. Life in a small village, nicely told. And Raman, the character who belives in nothing, accepts everything and wants to get on with life.
The climax involves a journey to Ayodhya, on the fateful day that we know when the barricades were brought down.
The narrative is brisk and the style easy.
There are a few 'carnatic' music terms / ragas and some typical south indian foods which could have done with a glossary. However, that was not a handicap for me.While it does not take away anything from the main story, it can be a bit of a bother.
Worth a read
The climax involves a journey to Ayodhya, on the fateful day that we know when the barricades were brought down.
The narrative is brisk and the style easy.
There are a few 'carnatic' music terms / ragas and some typical south indian foods which could have done with a glossary. However, that was not a handicap for me.While it does not take away anything from the main story, it can be a bit of a bother.
Worth a read
November 4, 2022
I can't remember the last time I was so captivated by a book that I cancelled all my plans and spent the entire day finishing it. Friendless God is one such book and it fundamentally changed my mind on the Babri masjid issue since it made me see the issue from the deity's lens. The protagonist's character is one like you have never read before and you will follow this character through his life where you are essentially wondering how bad it can get, his entire journey embellished by the wonderful art forms of India and how it's inspired by the Ramayan. The big reveal is of course, realizing that Bhakti can propel the most lowly of us to the stratosphere of purpose and meaning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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