A Subcontinent of Self | Review of Tempest on River Silent by Sandeep Khanna
This heartfelt coming-of-age narrative spans the last five decades of India, weaving together personal memories, social transformations, and political change. The novel opens with a series of flashbacks from the author’s school and college days, recounting moments of youthful mischief, strong friendships, and formative experiences.
During a reunion in London with old school friends, one of them is encouraged to document India’s journey in book form. This suggestion sparks the creation of a tender bildungsroman that charts the lives of its protagonists from carefree days in 1970s Delhi to the intricate realities of modern professional life in 21st-century India.
The story is anchored by two central characters, Devavratt (Dev) and Eklavya (Luv), whose experiences are narrated in a style that is both descriptive and conversational. Their intertwined journeys reflect the vibrant and often unpredictable course of change in the country.
The 1970s, a decade marked by political unrest and economic shifts, serve as a backdrop to recollections of school days filled with pranks, affectionate teachers, first loves, family celebrations, and small victories alongside inevitable setbacks. These memories evoke familiar images—buying just a piece of bread, sipping a local soft drink, relishing a favorite ice cream, watching early television dramas, and witnessing the advent of the country’s first mass-market automobiles and sporting legends. The narrative also touches on monumental events such as the Emergency and significant political realignments, highlighting a transition from socialist ideals to a market-driven economy.
Force of Change
In the 1990s, as economic liberalization reshaped India, Dev and his contemporaries emerged as young professionals ambitiously navigating the challenges of work and family life. The book captures their evolving career paths and personal ambitions against the backdrop of a nation undergoing profound cultural and economic transformations.
During a spirited discussion on morality, Luv suggests that concepts of “right and wrong” are merely mental constructs—a view supported by Dev’s belief that these notions are far from absolute. This dialogue encapsulates the book’s exploration of the tensions between modernity and tradition, the balancing of time-honored values with contemporary pressures, and the ongoing struggle to maintain equilibrium between personal fulfillment and professional success.
The protagonist’s internal conflict mirrors the metaphor presented in the title, Tempest on River Silent—the “tempest” symbolizing the turbulent forces of change and the “silent river” representing enduring tradition and stability. The narrative poses a compelling question: will the typically composed Dev confront the raging storm of transformation, or will he continue along a placid, unchanging course?
The author, a management professional with a passion for sports, poetry, history, and travel, offers an expansive account of the dramatic transformations India has witnessed over the past fifty years. While his richly detailed recollections of college life, professional challenges, and personal anecdotes bring the story to life, there are moments when the exhaustive detail makes the 640-page work feel quite weighty.
Book Details:
Tempest on River Silent by Sandeep Khanna
Published by Niyogi Books
Price: ₹850
Reviewed by an independent journalist based in Bengaluru.
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