Maharaja In Denims !

Maharaja In Denims , a title that grabs your attention , when one gets a copy along with the handsome stately sardar on the cover. The novel is a racy exploit of Hari Singh who typically personifies the affluent Punjabi youth ; typical of money , life in the fast lane and girls. Khushwant Singh, the author who is otherwise known for his much acclaimed biography of oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh, cleverly uses his local knowledge of the social, political and youth seen of Chandigarh, the twin capital of Punjab and Haryana ,to muster images of the city, which is termed as the most beautiful in India.

And when you are complacent thinking well its another soft erotic book , he deftly transports you to a different world, era , times and throws in past life flashbacks where the protagonist feels he is reincarnation of the only real Maharaja of Punjab, the mighty Ranjit Singh and starts comparing his Punjab with the present. The book swings to an even more crafty level when the author suddenly takes through past life regression and Hari recalls two other past lives. This part has to be handled with care because the author provokes you with real time events that have halted India's march which the faint hearted would find it hard to handle.

For history buffs ,this book has been researched extensively and the comparison of the old Punjab with the new day Punjab is what catches me . I like the simple back and forth to old and new along with a chapter thrown into the future telling us what Punjab will be if we do not take care of it .

Its a fresh approach to Punjab, with innuendos to the political system and how they manipulate us , the voters. The author, Khushwant also keeps the romance alive and makes everyone happy in the and ( climax scene just like the Bolly wood movies). Maybe there is a script somewhere ..who knows! The book is one of the most gripping reads published in recent times , and is a must read.