Sunday 12 July 2020

Book Review - RASAATHI : The Other side of a TRANSGENDER, by Sasindran Kallinkeel


RASAATHI: The Other Side OF A Transgender
Publisher – ‘BookMitra’_Mark My Book LLP
MRP – 399/-

Written in autobiographical style RASAATHI is a heart-touching fictional novel that revolves around the life of every Transgender in Indian society.

With the empathic story of a transgender born in a well-to-do South Indian family, realization of being a transgender, being sold to Hijra community and taking prostitution as a source of livelihood, the book gives a deep insight into the challenging life of a transgender in the orthodox Indian society. It takes us onto parallel journeys of the customs & rituals of Transgenders community and transition to being a better human being.

The debut novel by the author Mr. Sasindran Kallinkeel is a mature piece of writing which does full justice to the canvas of the story. Having 23 years of stupendous service at the Central Reserve Police and a seven-year stint with the Special Protection Group (Prime Minister’s Security) as a Senior Security Officer, Mr. Sasindran has narrated the story with empathy and perfection.

Excerpt from the book: When the family first realizes that their boy is a Hijra,
“He was furious but my mother, hearing the words, slowly sat down with head in her hands, and wept and wept uttering 'oh my god......oh my god'. I don't understand what was happening and why papa and mom are angry and crying. I stayed there like a statue and thought what is Aravainchi - a new word I didn't heard before. I had no idea but was very sure, it might be a bad word by the way it was pronounced with anger and despair. Then again, I heard papa’s shouting;…”

At some places author has gone into deep details which may not seem very relevant but the rhythm and pace of the novel never fails. With not much literary work about Transgenders in India, Rasaathi is a must read for everyone who is keen to know and understand about the real lives of Transgenders in the orthodox Indian society.

Over all, it is a good read which can be comfortably rated 4 out of 5! 
To know more about the book, watch the trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKBfs0cy9gY

Find the book on
https://markmybook.com/book.php?book=589913



Happy Reading,
Shruti

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