Deep insight into Nine lives. Review on Nine Lives - William Dalrymple

William Dalrymple is a master biographer & story teller.I was left wondering for weeks with the crumbling image of " The Last Mughal" empire of Bahadur shah Zaffer after reading his book.

Dalrymple lives in a farm Outside of Delhi has a deep knowledge & love for Indian culture.His Recent book "Nine lives"is a travelogue and a biography of nine different characters dispersed across the country.

Each of these characters'are on an individual spiritual journey.The writing is entirely experiential, His roving eye documents everything - the person, his clothes,landscape, food, sounds, animals& the birds.It is meticulous documentation of what he sees and hears put on paperwith the right words that makes the book an interesting Read.

"The Nun'Tale" set in Gujarat is about a girl from a wealthy Jain trading family, who prefers the ascetic life of a Nun to learn the inner truth in her teens.She opts for the ultimate sacrifice of giving up her life whilegrieving for her dead friend and fellow nun.You are exposed to the strict Jain faith & the teachings of the Thirthankaras.

The Dancer of kannur-A Dalit A part time Jail Warden, A well digger and a "Theeyyam" performer - a god like reverred figure for three months of the year. Paradox is the upper caste brahmins respect and pray during this Dalit'sperformance.The rigorous training necessary for a Theeyyam performer is a very interesting read.The Daughters Of Yellamma leaves you in tears about the plight of Devadasis A practise that ensures income for the greedy Self centred family and death& disease for the devadasi in the end!

The singer of Epics set in the deserts of Rajasthan-sing praises for the mystic God and protector of cattle -Pabuji.Songs that run for nights together & sung by illiterate peasants with knowledge handed down thruthe generations.

The Red fairy talks of The paradoxical faiths Sufism(believed to be a conglomeration of shaivites and liberal muslims)and the conservative Wahhabis.There is a three times immigrant-a female sufi practioner originally form Biharstuck in a sufi shrine surrounded by wahhabis & talibs waiting to devour the shrine.*The Monk's tale talks of the forcible exilation of Tibetans by the Chinese

forcing holy monks into war to save their religion and faith.*

The Maker of Idols is about a concerned stapathi - a master in casting bronze Idols with bulging order books; Following an unbroken tradition from the Chola period, as the 23rd generation of sculptors;unsure whether his educated son will follow the unbroken tradition.

Manisha the destitute woman who finds Peace, Solace love and affection, living amidst skulls & tantrics in a burial ground in west Bengal.The comraderie, Joy & Bonding of the ever wandering Baul singers of Bengal, the true  bonding of The Blind Kanai & Debdas

Nine lives is a Must read book which I would recommend to everybody reading fiction.Each of these Nine lives would take just under an hour to read;The book can be read at a leisurely pace.

Each tale is as individual as the fingers on the limb.It is difficult for a layperson to undergo such experiences in their lifetime.Each tale is interspersed with lots of interviews, explanation of the religion, faith,belief & mythology.There are a no. of touching folklore poems too.*

So go ahead try the book.