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.
