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Book Review: Current Show by Perumal Murugan

Current Show is a Tamil novel by Perumal Murugan that deals with the uncertainties faced by poor young people of the country engaged into deplorable and odd jobs. Originally, it was written in Tamil and later translated into English by V. Geetha. The novel has no definitive plot or structure, rather built on descriptions of its characters and their activities. More of like flowing water in the river! But the depth it presents is of high value. The novel is totally unglamorous and its main characters are young boys from downtrodden background having nowhere to go, and not to miss their physical appearance is filthy.

The story delves into the life of Sathivel (also known as Sathi). He leads a squalid life – the conditions in which he lives are far below than the basic needs of life. He sells soda bottles at a rickety movie theatre. The time of the novel is of late 1950s to early 60s. So, that time cinema used to be single screens and a much awaited hangout place for all types of people.

After the shows, when he gets time he indulges himself with some other boys like him, who too are engaged in work around the same cinema hall. With them he smokes ganja (marijuana) and shares a gloomy and squalid room to live with them. The boys are not bothered about their future prospect. The only thing that they care is smoke whenever they get time and a meal for next spell.  The writer has done considerable research on showing their dirty and filthy appearance – in a sheer state of poverty. They can go to any extent as long as there is someone who is backing them with food and money. For them life is like current show – there is no talk of future planning or dreams – once the show is over get working for another. The kind of impermanence attached with their lives is an experience that not every one of us would like to go through it. It’s not spirituality, rather it’s pathetic, slave of circumstances. The writer has depicted poverty in its most agonized form: in its most filthy form.

The social responsibilities and obligations towards their elder ones are almost naught in the behavior of these boys. Sathi hates his leper father, he is afraid what will happen if people find out their relationship; on the other hand Natesan treats his grandmother roughly. The layer that they form since early has that problem, problem of understanding, parasitical burden, no sacrifice or love at all. For them, the thing that matters for existence is the meal of next time and some relaxation in drugs.

There is a chaotic adolescence in the story – though it was heading nowhere but the kind of grip it holds definitely sends chill to readers. They will find it tough to emphasize with them – it is so squalid and trodden that no one wants to imagine that stuff happening to them.
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