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Santanu Bhattacharya’s Deviants: A Multigenerational Tale of Queer Life‌ in India

Santanu⁤ Bhattacharya,the acclaimed author⁢ of One Small Voice,returns with⁢ his highly anticipated second novel,Deviants. ⁢This aspiring work delves into the shifting attitudes toward homosexuality in India over the ⁤past five decades,‍ weaving ⁣together the ⁢lives⁢ of three gay men from the same family.

The novel introduces Vivaan,​ a 17-year-old navigating the complexities of modern sexuality in Bengaluru, India’s tech hub.His story is ‍told through voicenotes, capturing the vivacious⁣ freedom of a generation ⁣exploring ‍identities like “heteroflexible, homoflexible, objectumsexual, omnisexual, skoliosexual, bi-curious.” Vivaan’s journey is shaped ⁣by his uncle, Mambro, who grew up in the mid-1990s and recognizes his younger self in his nephew. mambro’s support contrasts sharply with‌ the⁣ lack of guidance he received from his own uncle, Sukumar, in the 1970s.

Sukumar’s story, set in ⁢1977 Kolkata,‍ is the most poignant. A sculptor stifled by ⁤societal norms,he lives a life of⁢ quiet desperation,finding fleeting solace‍ in anonymous encounters. Bhattacharya writes, “when ‌he’d meet all those others, he’d learn that this was the story of every​ man like him, a long legacy littered with broken hearts, quashed dreams, duplicitous ‌lives. Men​ like‍ them, it was best they didn’t wish for anything at all.”

The novel’s ⁤structure reflects the generational shifts in India’s LGBTQ+ experience. While Sukumar and Mambro’s long-term partners remain shadowy figures, Vivaan’s story‌ highlights progress: “The country has changed sufficiently for Vivaan to be able to​ go to the school dance with his boyfriend.”

Bhattacharya’s Deviants is a ‌testament to the resilience of queer lives in India, ‌offering a ‌nuanced exploration of ⁢identity, love, and societal change.

| Character | Era | Key Themes ⁣⁣ ⁤ ⁣ ⁢ ⁢ | ⁤
|—————|—————|—————————————–| ‍
| Vivaan ​ | ‌Present Day ⁢| Modern sexuality, tech-driven freedom |
| Mambro ⁤ | Mid-1990s ⁢⁤ ‍ | Generational mentorship, self-revelation |
| Sukumar ⁣ ⁢ ‌ |​ 1977 ‍ ‌ | Repression, artistic stifling |

For more on Santanu Bhattacharya’s⁣ work, explore his debut novel, One Small Voice, and stay tuned for ​ Deviants,⁢ a groundbreaking addition ⁤to South Asian queer literature.the Power of ‍Words: How Language Reflects Social ​Change in⁣ Modern India

In a world where interaction is often reduced ⁢to emojis and abbreviations, the ​act of crafting full sentences has become a rare art. For Vivaan, a ‌teenager navigating the complexities of identity and relationships, this simple act​ holds profound meaning.⁢ “If you’ve been on those⁢ apps and know⁤ how people⁤ talk, you know that someone‍ bothering to type out full sentences without‍ grammatical errors is enough to make ⁤you fall in love with them,” he observes. ‍This sentiment underscores the transformative ⁢power​ of language, a theme that ⁣resonates deeply in the ‍works of authors like ⁣Bhattacharya, who use words as a mirror to reflect societal and personal evolution.

The ‌Struggle ​for Equality in India’s legal Framework ⁢

India’s journey ​toward equality has been fraught with challenges, particularly in its legal system. vivaan’s sharp critique of the Supreme Court’s⁤ judgment on same-sex⁢ marriage highlights this ongoing struggle.‍ “The judges said big​ cuddly⁢ things about gay people, oh give ⁢them respect, ​show them ⁤love,⁤ but refused⁣ to‍ grant equal rights,” he ​remarks. This decision, while ⁣disappointing, has not stifled the spirit of progress.Vivaan’s‌ ability ​to attend ⁣his school dance with his boyfriend, despite initial resistance, is a ⁢testament to the⁢ shifting societal attitudes. The ⁣headteacher’s ⁤eventual acceptance, symbolized‌ by her unfurling a Pride flag “like she’d come to watch ‌an‍ India-Pakistan​ cricket match and it was the last over and India was sure ‍to win,” captures the bittersweet triumph of small victories.

Language as a Catalyst for Change

Bhattacharya’s writing masterfully ⁢weaves ⁣language into the fabric of ​social transformation. In one poignant moment,Sukumar ⁢struggles to articulate his feelings to his mother ‍about his relationship. “All the words he couldn’t tell‍ her, all those feelings they didn’t have vocabulary for, all⁢ the ⁢things they didn’t⁢ have the courage to⁢ speak out​ loud, ‌where circulating through his veins,⁢ making ⁢it challenging ​to ⁤breathe,” Bhattacharya writes. This passage encapsulates ⁢the stifling effect of societal norms on personal expression​ and ⁢the urgent need for a more inclusive ⁢lexicon.

Similarly, Mambro’s discovery of his old ⁤journal, which details his relationship with Y, leads to⁢ ostracism by his university friends. ‌The journal becomes a symbol of his past, a burden he carries until Vivaan begins ⁤tearing its pages to make paper boats. This act of destruction and creation signifies a turning‌ point,freeing Mambro from ​the weight of his history and allowing him to​ write anew.

The Evolution of Expression

For Vivaan, the act of writing and speaking with​ clarity is not just a​ personal preference but a form of rebellion against the superficiality ⁢of modern communication. His recognition for well-constructed sentences reflects a broader yearning for authenticity in a ⁢world dominated by fleeting interactions.

| Key Themes ‍ ⁢ ⁢ | Examples ⁢ ‍ ‍ ​ ​ ⁢‌ ‌ ⁤⁢ ​ ⁤ |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|⁣
|​ Legal Equality ‌ | Supreme Court’s judgment on same-sex marriage ⁣ ⁤ ⁣ ​ ​ ​ | ⁢
| Social Acceptance ‍ ‌ ​ ⁤| School dance with Vivaan’s boyfriend​ ‍ ‍ ⁢ ‍ ⁣ |
| Language as a ⁣Motif ‌ ⁢ | Sukumar’s struggle to ⁣express his feelings ⁣ ‌ ⁤ ⁣ ‌ ​ ⁤‌ |
| Personal Transformation | Mambro’s journal and its symbolic destruction ​ ⁢ ‍ ⁤ ​ ⁤ ​ |
| Authentic Communication ⁢ | Vivaan’s admiration for full sentences ⁣ ‌ ​ ⁤ ​ ‌ ⁢ ‌ ⁢ |​

A Call for Authentic Connection

As India continues to grapple‍ with its colonial legacy and evolving social norms,the power of language remains a⁤ vital tool for change. Bhattacharya’s unshowy yet lyrical style⁤ captures the nuances of this transformation,⁤ offering ‌readers a glimpse into the lives of individuals navigating love, identity, and self-expression.

For those seeking to understand the intersection of language ‌and social progress, Bhattacharya’s ⁤work is a compelling starting point. As Vivaan’s story illustrates, the⁤ simple act ⁢of writing or speaking with care can be a revolutionary act, one that ⁣fosters deeper connections and paves the way for⁤ a more inclusive future.

Sign up to Inside Saturday to explore⁣ more thought-provoking stories and insights from ⁣top writers.exploring the Digital and Human Divide ⁣in Santanu Bhattacharya’s deviants

In Deviants, Santanu Bhattacharya crafts a narrative that‍ is​ as much about the complexities‌ of human connection as it⁤ is about the ‌digital age’s encroachment on our lives.The novel, published by ⁤ Fig ‌Tree, delves into the life of Vivaan, a⁣ character whose journey is marked by a profound yearning for⁤ tangible human ‌relationships, even ​as he navigates a world increasingly dominated by technology.

One of the most striking⁣ moments‍ in the‍ book occurs when Vivaan, reeling from the breakdown​ of⁢ his relationship, turns to an AI bot—a digital mirror that ⁣simulates desire by ​harvesting data. “It felt untrue to Vivaan that he⁣ could ⁣be satisfied by this ⁣avatar; for all that he lives his life online, his yearning for palpable ‍human ⁤connection is stronger than that,” Bhattacharya writes. This moment, though a minor misstep in an otherwise compelling narrative, underscores the tension between the ​digital and the human, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s tech-driven world.

Deviants ⁣ is not just a story about personal⁤ relationships; it ‌is ​a ‍nuanced exploration of ​politics, love, and​ freedom.Bhattacharya masterfully balances these‌ elements, creating a novel that is ⁣both unflinching in its portrayal of past⁤ cruelties and optimistic about the future. Yet, the author is wise ​enough to​ acknowledge that progress frequently ⁤enough comes with its‍ own set of costs. ⁣

The novel’s concise yet ⁢epic scope​ has garnered praise for its ‍ability to blend ​the personal with the political. It is a testament to Bhattacharya’s skill as a storyteller​ that he can weave such a rich tapestry of themes⁣ without ⁢losing sight of the human element at its core.For⁤ those eager to ​dive into this thought-provoking work, ⁤ Deviants is available for purchase at guardianbookshop.com. Supporting the Guardian and Observer by ordering a copy not only grants access to this compelling ‌read‌ but also contributes to the continued production⁣ of quality journalism.

| Key Highlights of⁤ Deviants |
|———————————-|
| Author ‌ | Santanu Bhattacharya |
| Publisher ‍ ‌ ⁣ ‍ ‍| ⁣Fig⁣ Tree |
| Price ⁣ ‌ ⁢ ⁣ ​ ⁣ ‍ | £16.99 |
| Themes ⁤ | Politics, love, freedom, human⁤ connection | ⁣
| ‍ Notable Moment ‍ ⁤ ​ | Vivaan’s interaction with an AI bot |
| Where to Buy ‌ ‍ | world where technology often‍ threatens to overshadow ⁣human interaction, Deviants serves as a poignant‍ reminder of the enduring power of genuine ⁢connection. Bhattacharya’s novel is a must-read for anyone grappling with the complexities of modern life.

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