Publisher: Penguin Random House India
Rating: 5/5
A narrative poem buried in a clay pot, sealed with wax. Discovered four and a half centuries later. And thus begins the tale of “Victory City” – an epic tale of enchantment weaved with magic and surrealism.
Salman Rushdie has created an all-powering bewitching tale of Vijaynagara empire (Bisnaga) breathed into existence by the fiery, complex and intriguing character of Pampa Kampana, the protagonist of this story.
Borrowed from history (Salman Rushdie was inspired by a trip to Hampi, decades ago- https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/salman-rushdie-recovery-victory-city) “Victory City” is narrated as a translation of an ancient epic.
The story is rich in history and magic. Pampa Kampana after having been deserted by her mother by walking into the flames ( the practice of Sati, much debated throughout the book in connection with women equality) breathes an entire city into existence. Not only physical, but humans with their pasts whispered into their ears to bring to life an entire kingdom. And thus is born the Bisnaga empire.
Spanning a period of two hundred and fifty years, running parallel to Pampa Kampana’s life who is blessed with the powers to live for so many years, the book narrates the brilliant glory of the empire through various kings and then ultimately to its downfall…. . shifting loyalties, greedy ambitions, complacent powers, quiet resistance, battles for command… Bisnaga travels through the the usual traps of powers before being led to its ultimate ruination.
Salman Rushdie has dwelt on many social and cultural issues in this book… the rights of women, a constant in the book through the protagonist Pampa Kampana who is passionate about women holding an equal place in society demonstrated during the founding rule of Hukka and Bukka with women soldiers and important court figures.
Profundities abound in this book.
The dazed confusion of Hukka and Bukka on seeing a city arise from nowhere after sprinkling the magic seeds given to them by Pampa Kampana gives rise to intense questions such as … “What is a human being? What makes us what we are?”
“The story of life has a beginning, a middle and an end. But if the middle is unnaturally prolonged, then the story is no longer a pleasure. It’s a curse.” (page 67)
“This is how history moves on; the obsession of one moment is relegated to the junkyard of oblivion by the next.” (page 199)
The lessons of the world on page 203 by Zerelda Li, is another reflective statement…..
“…..human intelligence and human stupidity, as well as human nature, the best and worst of it, are the great constants in the changing world.” (page 276)
The book rests on the character of Pampa who “just showed in my head” says Salman Rushdie (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/salman-rushdie-recovery-victory-city ) and gave him his story, his sense of direction.
Pampa’s life is strange, her character complex. Admiration for her tenacity and a strange resentment for her self-absorption. So many layers of her unravel and unfold on each page.
But the heartbreaking moment is when she and Timmarasu walk into the city blinded- the wailing of the city is so eloquent of blind justice, anguish, foolishness and an inevitability.
History, religion and mythology are used as a heady cocktail to create this canvas on which words are masterfully etched to write this exotic fairytale.
Victory City is a triumph of Salman Rushdie too after being assaulted and injured just before the release of this book.
“I myself am nothing now. All that remains is this city of words.
Words are the only victors.”
These last lines of the book says it all.
#books#bookreview#salmanrushdie#victorycity#writing#readabook
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Preeta Chag 