Throughout the turbulent times that accompany Karsan Dargawalla the songs of his 'Pir Bawa' remain with him, amidst the equivocations of memory. The curious title of the novel could be better understood in the context of the 'bol' of Nur Fazal (Pir Bawa), the Assassin, who sought refuge from the king of Gujarat in 1260 AD. His bol speak of his power and respect he commanded among his countless followers. Assassin in the medieval Muslim world denoted a sect known to preach a version of Islam diametrically opposed to those held by law. More than seven hundred years later Karsan's destiny forces him to reclaim a Godlike status and guide his directionless people towards true religion.
The Assassin's Song (Nominated for Vodafone Crossword Book Award 2007) unfolds largely as a subjective (the protagonist's) recollection of life and legend, occasionally however, slipping into the third person's perspective. Following a circuitous route the reader encounters diverse socio-political contexts ranging from medieval India (Gujarat) of the 13th century, to the narrator's childhood in his village Haripir (early 1960s), his experiences in Harvard and later British Columbia (1980s) and finally Karsan's imminent return to Gujarat post Godhra and the genocide it unleashed (2002). The point from where the story takes off in the first place.
Vassanji presents a poignant tale of a mortal strife between individual ambitions and an overbearing sense of religious and familial commitment. Karsan's intimate desire since the age of 11 revolved around being 'ordinary', concentrating on cricket, for instance. At any cost severing himself from his impending responsibility as the 'gaadi-varas', lord and keeper of Pirbaag-the shrine of the medieval sufi mystic Nur Fazal (a character the author deems fictitious) who settled in the village of Haripir in Gujarat. A designation held with dignity over centuries by his forefathers and his 'Bapu-ji' also the 'Saheb'. In the struggle that ensues between Karsan's 'logical mind' and the claustrophobic existence within the walls of the shrine, an escape route appears. One that leads straight to the ivy clad gates of Harvard and the individualism and freedom that world represents. Perforce, involving a dereliction of his duty (to his father and the ideology the latter upholds).
The novel explores pivotal issues concerning identity formation and the precarious nature of human relationships in contemporary (Indian) society. Much like Amitav Ghosh's The Shadow Lines (1989), the ideas of relative perception, a sense of belongingness and the progressive reinforcement of (arbitrary) divisions are examined at length. The difference however lies in the fact that while Ghosh questions the efficacy of geo-political boundaries, in this book communalism is evoked in its entire wrath. The progressive degeneration of religion (Hinduism and Islam) is manifested in the ruin that has come upon the once heavenly Pirbaaag. Thus is effected a reversal of fortunes for Karsan Dargawalla who is resigned to an existential crisis of accepting his once shunned heritage.
The prose is generally deep and although at times dense, never opaque. Reading the book demands close attention as some of the nuanced descriptions might not receive their due if scanned through superficially. The author's sharp insight and profound understanding of character and events duly compensate the intellectual labour and patience required in reading the novel, making the exercise slow but pleasurable.
Book Reviews 
Throughout the turbulent times that accompany Karsan Dargawalla the songs of his 'Pir Bawa' remain with him, amidst the equivocations of memory. The curious title of the novel could be better understood in the context of the 'bol' of Nur Fazal (Pir Bawa), the Assassin, who sought refuge from the king of Gujarat in 1260 AD. His bol speak of his power and respect he commanded among his countless followers. Assassin in the medieval Muslim world denoted a sect known to preach a version of Islam diametrically opposed to those held by law. More than seven hundred years later Karsan's destiny forces him to reclaim a Godlike status and guide his directionless people towards true religion.
