Thursday, 12 February 2015

A Rippling Reflection: A review of ‘A Mirrored Life: The Rumi Novel’ by Rabisankar Bal




So much of Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta is shrouded in mystery, that where the man ends and where the legend begins is hard to fathom. Rabisankar Bal makes a credible effort to follow the man, just not on his physical journey that he undertakes, but also on the spiritual journey that he is entrusted with: to spread the word of Sufi mystic Rumi.



In these stories within a story, Bal shows us how Battuta is transformed into a conservative into accepting of other people and cultures; how he changes his outlook in life with each interesting place and character he experiences, and of course, how he spreads love for Rumi everywhere at each stop.



As we read the book, Bal invites to understand what it was like, travelling through medieval Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Bal, through his book, speculates what it was for Battuta to be cut off from his family and friends – to set off on what he thought was a short trip to Mecca for Hajj and ended with him spending 24 years away from home (and having lots and lots of wives).

Bal, through his narration, also touches each reader: the impact of each character on Battuta can also be felt upon us, as we read the book.

A word on the translator - Arunava Sinha has done an excellent job of translating the book from the original Bengali, making sure the nuances and the grace of the phrases are not lost in the English version.


 --- Kartikeya

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