Gently Falls the Bakula by Sudha Murthy

Gently Falls the Bakula is a story written by Sudha Murthy in the milieu of traditional 1980s which is relevant even today. It is Murthy’s first novel and remains close to her heart. The story probes the values and ethics of modern life and marriage. Murthy has the knack of writing about issues much debated about and still adds fresh perspective to it. In the process, she compels us to take a look at age-old values and the dissonance of gender inequality with in the Indian society. The idea of woman recognizing her own individuality and seeing her worth beyond that of a wife is explored in a very realistic way in an Indian context.

Bakula is a tiny flower which has no attraction when in comparison with an elegant rose or a fragrant champak. Yet it holds a special place in the hearts of Shrikant and shrimati in the novel as it was the tree under which their love for each other bloomed. Star students of their school, off-spring of acrimonious neighbors in a small neighborhood of Hubli in North Karnataka; no one would expect them to fall in love with each other. The dashing Shrikant and charming shrimati are competitors in their studies but soul-mates in love. Despite stiff opposition from their respective families, their marriage boat sails gently on the benign ocean of love. Shrikant is quickly absorbed into IT sector and starts climbing the corporate ladder to success. Shrimati settles down uncomplainingly into the role of a dutiful corporate wife while abandoning her academic aspirations. Things come to head one day when shrimati meets her old history professor and examines her life. Her life is strangely empty and devoid of any verve or color. She wonders where her passion, curiosity and zest to live her life to the fullest have fled.

Shrimati had given up her career aspirations to marry Shrikant. Moreover, she never gets accepted as a daughter-in-law because of family feud going back many decades. She does not come from a wealthy family. It is her effort, sacrifice and support that lets Shrikant reach the pinnacle of success. By the time shrimati takes stock of the situation, it is too late. She has neither children to fill her life nor love of Shrikant to sustain her. It makes her question her life-choices and whether her sacrifices have been worth it. Why is it that in every culture woman has to make sacrifices to keep aloft her family while the man forges ahead in his career? Are women happy with their choices? If not, how can they turn their life around?

Shrimati was an achiever, the topper of her class with razor- sharp brain. She had studied History for the love of it and held a full scholarship for a PhD program in USA. In spite of her sacrifices, she gets treated shabbily by Shrikant. With his sprint towards his goal, Shrikant can only dimly perceive Shrimati as his soul-mate while beholding her as a glorified secretary. Being childless and denied permission by Shrikant to adopt a child only adds to her woes. Shrimati embodies countless spouses who according to Indian tradition sacrifice their career aspirations for the sake of the family. Much is written and spoken about emancipation of women, career choices, freedom to pursue their vocation etc but scratch the veneer; you will find nothing has changed. An Indian woman is still responsible for the upkeep of her home, family and children with no slack accorded even if employed. She becomes a super woman, a super mom and a super wife to balance her home and career. It is true in the case of 80% women in India.

Murthy’s story telling technique reminds one of R.K. Narayan as using a very simple yet refreshing language she weaves a visual treat with her words, for the reader. It is as if the story is being enacted. She focuses on very realistic and simple life situations one could relate to. Reading her novel is like interacting with her personally. She very beautifully blends the pastoral life of Hubli-Dharwad and mechanical, fast-paced life of Mumbai in her novel. While neither justifying one nor glorifying the other, Murthy very realistically holds mirror to traditional Indian society. She forces us to introspect on the choices we have made or the choices that made us who we are today. Somewhere or the other, Murthy has left a subtle warning against those of us women who allow family commitment and responsibilities to overcome our own aspirations.