Savie Karnel
‘The Nameless God,’ tells the story of two children who hold friendship above all. Theirs is a childhood where imaginations run wild and nothing is impossible. The kids pray to God for a day off and good marks. When both Ganeshji and Fakirbaba fail to answer their prayers for good marks, Bachchu and Noor conclude that gods have too much workload, and so they create a new God, a nameless god who would listen only to them. The god works the first miracle- a sudden holiday is declared. When they go out to thank, they are stuck in the riots that breakout after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Will their new nameless god help them?
The book has received rave reviews from readers of all age groups. Readers have said that the book has taken them on a nostalgic trip to the childhood and children have discovered a different world of the 90s which has unknown to them. The book has proven to be a conversation starter.
Writer and journalist Alladi Jayashree in her review has compared the characters in the book to those in R K Narayan’s book Swami and Friends. “A child’s gaze on the reality of a communal cauldron that once boiled over, and continues to simmer into the 21st century. Bachchu and Noor and Seema are adorable and redolent of the young denizens of Malgudi. Moon Aunty, and Bachchu’s secret wish to see a skeleton are a delight, and are among the many charming twists in a tale that packs just the right amount of Suspense,” she said.
International Publishing Consultant Jayashree Bhattacharjee has called it “A powerful story by a debut novelist with a strong voice.” She further said, “We are at such a critical juncture of our nationhood that books like The Nameless God are essential to kick-start difficult conversations.”
In a world polorised by religious beliefs, The Nameless God, shows us a different way of being. In the 90s, communal violence was witnessed throughout India. But our society picked up the pieces and continued to live harmoniously. This was possible because of the many untold stories where people went beyond religious barriers to help others. The Nameless God is one such story of friendship and understanding that shows the pointlessness of boundaries created by different faiths
The book is funny, has adventure and in a simple way has dealt with complex issues like secularism, propaganda, democracy and the Indian constitution. This book is a must read for children and people of all ages. The book is sure to take grown ups on a nostalgic trip to their childhoods.
The book is published by Red Panda, the children’s book imprint of Westland Publications. The author Savie Karnel grew up in the coastal town of Karwar. He worked as a journalist with The New Indian Express, Mid Day and Talk magazine in Bangalore. ‘The Nameless God,’ is her debut novel.
