Agniputr - Book Review

Agniputr
By Vadhan
Review By Ila Garg

Agniputr, a novel by Vadhan, is published by Bloomsbury India. The cover shows a palace set on fire—giving the plot a historic appeal. The title and sub title (When Agni First Spoke) adds to the feel.

With more than two decades as a litigator and consultant for legislative compliance, Vadhan turned to writing a few years ago. He is a lawyer by training, an entrepreneur and dreamer. His first book, ‘Shatru’, part of the Kronikles series, is highly praised and critically reviewed to be one of the best fantasy novels in India. Vadhan is married with two children. He aspires to be a politician and a reformist one day. Vadhan lives in New Gurgaon, India, with his wife.

The blurb reads as, “Many years ago, an extraordinary cripple disappeared from a remote village, ending a time of terror. Not many knew that he gave his life to confine a malevolence, the Sutram, to its subterranean womb or that in doing so, he had prevented the apocalypse.
Deep beneath the Earth the evil has lurked, fraying its shackles and plotting its escape, all the while gathering immeasurable power. Until now.
When ace lawyer, Raghuram Surya, received an order of requisition from the Government of India for his ancestral castle, he was unaware of the Sutram beneath it or his own legacy.
He will have to choose between the world’s end or his own.
Before long, the lawyer takes on India’s most powerful politician, Kiromal, a man utterly obsessed with power. Kiromal and his sinister Tantric advisor intend to use the evil beneath the castle to play God.
Raghuram finds an ally in Sheila, a scientist who is tasked to investigate the Sutram. Using Quantum science to interpret a Vedic verse, they have to unravel the secrets of creation to stop the destruction. Through it all, they have to be one step ahead of Kiromal just to stay alive.
Now is the time of final reckoning. Will Kiromal harness the evil to rule the world?
Or will the Sutram break free to eradicate the planet?
Or, are Raghuram and Sheila merely pawns in an even deadlier game?”

The book looks admirable and totally, it was a love at first sight. The plot is fast-paced and manages to grip the readers with its narrative style. Set in 1940s and 1970s, it is laced with some extraordinary prose pieces. The book begins in the small village of Gudem in the district Eluru of Andhra Pradesh.
The novel is broadly divided into four sections. The first section tells how a patriarch is poisoned and murdered in the village of Gudem. This is followed by the entry of a tantric at a samadhi complex who unleashes something demonic trapped underneath a castle in Gudem. The owner, Raghuram Surya is totally unaware about all this. The scene then shifts to the 1970s where a benevolent and courageous cripple disappears all of a sudden, and by doing so, he saves his village and probably the entire human race.

Thus, the story is a mix of thriller and historical fiction and leaves no opportunity to give you goosebumps. The other sections talk of concepts like quantum mechanics, quasars and anti-quasars and how they lead to creation of Universe. To avoid sounding too scientific and keep the fictional narrative going, the author employs the character of scientist Sheila to deal with these concepts.
Gradually the story is led to the present day where the maestro lawyer from Gurgaon Raghuram Surya receives a notice of requisition from the government of India stating to vacate and provide his ancient castle and the samadhi grounds for urgent matter of national importance. Now, Raghuram with the help of Shiela, who has been assigned to study the evil lurking in Gudem, takes on the politician Kiromal and his tantric ally. Thus, more twists and turns are added to the plot.

The story moves smoothly and deals with matters of evil and containing that evil. The characterisation done by Vadhan is truly impactful. The protagonist of the story is Raghuram Surya, who is destined to contain the evil and finish the good work started by the cripple in 1970s. His character is well defined.

The language is simple and easy to comprehend. Nowhere will a reader feel any disconnect. It’s so well-written that once you pick up, you cannot keep it down without finishing it off, though it’s a little bulky. I found it quite engaging. The subject is tackled beautifully by the skillful author.
Who was Raghuram, how he was destined to contain the evil, will he be able to fulfil the destiny and contain the evil called Sutram are some of the many reasons why you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens in this powerful tale, Agniputr.

Further, this 364-page book is truly captivating and a great combination of tantra and modern sciences. It’s an overall compelling book and therefore much recommended for all.

Ratings: 4/5

Buying Link: Amazon