{"product_id":"a-life-in-three-octaves-the-musical-journey-of-gangubai-hangal","title":"THE WANDERER","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height:1.8; color:#333; max-width:900px; margin:auto;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 style=\"background:#6A1B9A; color:#FFFFFF; padding:15px 20px; border-radius:8px; text-align:center; margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n    The Wanderer\n  \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eThe Wanderer\u003c\/strong\u003e is an award-winning political novel by Malayalam writer\n    \u003cstrong\u003eV. Shinilal\u003c\/strong\u003e, translated by \u003cstrong\u003eNandakumar K.\u003c\/strong\u003e, joint-winner\n    of the \u003cstrong\u003eJCB Prize for Literature 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e. Through a remarkable train\n    journey across India, the novel explores the country's history, diversity,\n    contradictions and social realities.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#2E7D32; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    📖 About the Book\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    The \u003cstrong\u003eSampark Kranti Express\u003c\/strong\u003e travels from\n    \u003cstrong\u003eThiruvananthapuram to Chandigarh\u003c\/strong\u003e, carrying a vintage steam engine\n    named \u003cstrong\u003eWanderer\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is destined to be displayed at the Republic\n    Day parade in Delhi. On this journey across the length of India, the train becomes a\n    miniature representation of the nation itself.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Among the passengers is \u003cstrong\u003eKaramchand\u003c\/strong\u003e, named after Mahatma Gandhi, who\n    embarks on a unique parallel journey through his observations, memories and reflections\n    on the history of the places the train crosses. His thoughts connect personal\n    experiences with India's complex historical and social narratives.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    The novel revisits significant moments in Indian history, including the arrival and\n    expansion of British railways, Portuguese attacks on Kerala’s ports, the\n    \u003cstrong\u003e1857 uprising\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003eChauri Chaura incident\u003c\/strong\u003e and the\n    \u003cstrong\u003eGodhra riots\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    The diverse passengers on the train include \u003cstrong\u003eJohn\u003c\/strong\u003e, a British wildlife\n    photographer; three travelling ticket examiners; an Indian woman carrying a Pakistani\n    man's child; a rape survivor working as a sex worker; Gujarati pilgrims returning from\n    Rameshwaram; and \u003cstrong\u003eNarendra Dabholkar\u003c\/strong\u003e, with whom Karamchand discusses\n    ideas of nation and nationalism.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Addressing pressing issues such as reservation, farmer suicides, caste, class and\n    gender inequality, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Wanderer\u003c\/strong\u003e presents India through the metaphor\n    of a train—a place where different lives, struggles and identities exist together.\n    Karamchand’s observation that “a train is a small biopsy section of India” captures\n    the essence of this powerful and thought-provoking novel.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#1565C0; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    ✨ Key Highlights\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAn award-winning political novel exploring modern India’s social realities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA journey-based narrative blending history, memory and personal reflection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eExplores themes of caste, class, gender, nationalism and identity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eFeatures a diverse group of characters representing different sections of society.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHighlights major events from Indian history and their lasting impact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTranslated by JCB Prize-winning translator Nandakumar K.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWinner of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Novel in 2022.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#8E24AA; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    ✍️ About the Author\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eV. Shinilal\u003c\/strong\u003e is a popular contemporary Malayalam novelist and short\n    story writer from Nedumangad, near Thiruvananthapuram. He works with the\n    \u003cstrong\u003eIndian Railways\u003c\/strong\u003e and is known for his powerful storytelling and\n    exploration of social and political themes.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    His major works include novels such as \u003cstrong\u003eUdal Bhauthikam\u003c\/strong\u003e,\n    \u003cstrong\u003eAdi\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e124\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eIru\u003c\/strong\u003e, along with\n    acclaimed short story collections including \u003cstrong\u003eChola\u003c\/strong\u003e,\n    \u003cstrong\u003eBuddhapadham\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eNaroda Patyayil Ninnulla Bus\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Shinilal has received several prestigious literary honours, including the inaugural\n    \u003cstrong\u003eKaroor Award\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePadmarajan Award\u003c\/strong\u003e and the\n    \u003cstrong\u003eO.V. Vijayan Award\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eSampark Kranti (The Wanderer)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n    received the \u003cstrong\u003eKerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Novel in 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#8E24AA; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    🌐 About the Translator\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eNandakumar K.\u003c\/strong\u003e is an acclaimed translator whose co-translation of\n    \u003cstrong\u003eM. Mukundan’s Delhi Gadhakal (Delhi: A Soliloquy)\u003c\/strong\u003e won the\n    \u003cstrong\u003eJCB Prize for Literature in 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    His other translations include \u003cstrong\u003eA Thousand Cuts\u003c\/strong\u003e by Professor\n    T.J. Joseph, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Lesbian Cow and Other Stories\u003c\/strong\u003e by Indu Menon,\n    \u003cstrong\u003eIn the Name of the Lord\u003c\/strong\u003e by Sr Lucy Kalappura, and works by authors\n    such as Vinoy Thomas and Haritha Savithri.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    The grandson of \u003cstrong\u003eMahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon\u003c\/strong\u003e, Nandakumar lives\n    in Dubai and works in the shipping industry while continuing his literary translation\n    work.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#F57C00; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    📚 Why Read This Book?\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eThe Wanderer\u003c\/strong\u003e is a powerful reflection of India’s past and present,\n    combining historical events, personal stories and social commentary into a compelling\n    narrative. Through the metaphor of a train journey, the novel invites readers to\n    understand the many voices, struggles and identities that shape the nation.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Westland Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45498976174189,"sku":null,"price":599.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0702\/0445\/7069\/files\/81Qm1--bxtL._SL1500.jpg?v=1784913327","url":"https:\/\/the99books.in\/products\/a-life-in-three-octaves-the-musical-journey-of-gangubai-hangal","provider":"The 99 Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}