Books in Books: Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda

Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda written by Dharamvir Bharati and filmed by Shyam Benegal is a book. Most of the authors being well read make a reference to the books which have influenced them or affected them. In the narrator you can find the glimpses of the author and his love for literature and parallels in real life. And of course his inspirations finds its way via the mentioning of some of the greatest books in literature. He appropriately says thru the narrator to his group of listeners - “you have neither seen life nor have read good books to know.” So there are only two ways to learn - either read books or experience life, and as it’s difficult to experience everything for various reasons, the only resolve are the books. And that is why I read them. So let’s explore the books that inspired Dharamvir Bharati and his epic.  

Devdas by Sarat Chandra 

If you talk about a love story in India Devdas is definitely mentioned being Romeo Juliet’s indian parallel. How love suffers under the pressures of society and rich- poor paradigm. However SKSG is far from that version of love. Quoting the narrater - 

Devdas liji liji bakwaas.. na koi nishkarsh na koi sujhav. Ek achi prem kahani samaj ke liye kalyankari honi chahiye.

(Devdas is nonsense, neither a point nor inspiring. A good love story has to be for the good of the society.)

The conundrum of social welfare and love stories. That's the hidden theme of this Love story which does not end well due to economic issues and hence the title based on salt - the first symbol of value. 

Jamuna compares herself to Paro from Devdas. A boy who wouldn't stand up to her for fear of his father. It breaks her heart to see him abandon her. Infact Dharamvir Bharti validates the comparison by marrying her to a rich old widower. But Tanna doesn't die in her memories instead he dies a poor miserable death and she turns out to be a survivor finding her own way and reckoning in a man’s world. Quite a parallel but an anti climax to Devdas. And then Manek again symbolises Devdas in his own relationship with Lily and the separation just like Devdas and Paro and the advent of Satti as Chandramukhi. 

For years drama, bollywood have nurtured the rich poor love stories and tragic love stories like Devdas. Is love an equation amongst equals or is it about one uplifting the other or is it completely detached from the concept of wealth and social upliftment. You see love is different when you are in your teens but as you grow older it becomes a larger topic assessed in social, familial and philosophical lenses. And that’s where SKSG is a book 📚 that goes far from the usual love interpretations. 

Skandagupta by Jaishankar Prasad 

The mention of this book comes as the narrator tells his own love story and relationship with Lily. They are both avid readers and discuss Devdas and Skandgupta books and their themes and characters. Manek refers to the book and asks Lily to be as brave as Devsena and move on as love doesn’t hold you and it can’t be held, it continues to thrive no matter what, and is much bigger than human attachments and desires. 

Anton Chekov 

As a well read storyteller, Manek refutes the concept of technique and appreciates the free writers like Tagore, Maupassant and Chekov who can engage their listeners  rather than focus on technique or format. Once Chekov tells a woman, that keep anything in front of him and he can write a complete story centered around it. That’s when Manek’s compatriots suggest a knife 🔪 and ask him to tell a story around it.  An inspiration and a theme Chekov was a great influence in Bharati’s writing. 

Dante’s Divine Comedy

Manek analyses the dream of his friend and compares it to Dante’s Divine comedy where the heroine Beatrice guides Dante to the gates of heaven. He references it to how love is about social and class conflicts, but also beauty, dreams and music, and it can’t come true unless you have courage and maturity to deal with it. This is where he takes you to an ideal love story of his own and Lily, which has all the above elements but still not a happy ending. 

SKSG has so many layers that a lifetime is less to understand and interpret it. But I try and I try, because everytime I find a pearl hidden in the oyster of this gem of a book.