Book Review - Estuary by Perumal Murugan
Perumal Murugan’s novel ‘Kazhimugam’, translated as ‘Estuary ’ into English by Nandini Krishnan is a story set in a technologically advance but morally decayed town. It depicts struggle of a government servant’s to fit in a fast changing world, his unease and incompatibility with the changing social norms. ‘It is the world where ugly habits prevail, where rules are broken, a world with no values, a world of greed and desire and cruelty, a world that has rotted from all these that best lends itself to fiction, and this world is that ofasuras, Asuralokam’. The novel is as much about midlife fear of its protagonist as it is about flaw in education system and a commentary on modern times. Kumarasurar, the protagonist of the novel lives a disciplined and modest life. He doesn’t carry lofty ideals and is bereft of big dreams. His predicament starts with education of his only son, Meghas. He admits him in school which has very strict rules. Kumarasurar laments when he sees his only son