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Book Review: Yakshini by Neil D’Silva

Meenakshi laughed. “What is magic? Simply a name for things we don’t know yet. For illusions…”


Meenakshi Patil is in her teens, still playing her childhood games, unaware of the changes to her body and oblivious to the eyes that follow her as she travels from the market to her home. The youngest of the seven daughters, she lives in her forefather’s ancestral home with her parents who are only concerned with the pending nuptials of their girls and; sisters who distance themselves from their reclusive sibling. She is left to love and play only with her companion who is a grand Sal tree.


As time passes, she grows into a beautiful lady with distinct physical features which is more of a curse for the Patil household than a god-sent bon. Most of the tragedies in her life occur due to this beauty she holds. Peculiar events begin to occur around Meenakshi and her innocence is questioned by people who were once close to her. She desperately tries to find an answer to her problems only to come across an explanation unheard of before. A Yakshini, demi god, is trapped in her body for reasons unknown to the Yakshini herself.

Together, they are forced to face the evils of the society, whether it be eve- teasing, molestation, sexual abuse or child marriage. The story then goes on to narrate the struggle between the two souls within the body who function in opposite directions; as a result, tearing the personal and social life of the girl who was once known as Meenakshi.

Yakshini is a touching journey of a woman in a male dominated society. It is about a society where it is the women who are suppressed, whose opinions are unsought, and who are called as witch or seductress, whose pleas go unheard, who are brutally punished and even murdered, tortured physically a well as spiritually. The readers witness the consequences of non–confirming to the recognized code of conduct in such a society. The sisters who silently accepted the norms are happy, settled life in opposition to Meenakshi who challenged the whole system. And, the formation of divergent emotions within Meenakshi seems to be a reaction against all the behaviours and practices that had wounded her profoundly.

The author delves on the subject of masculinity and femininity, patriarchy and on the objectification of women and preference for male child. Through the eyes of Meenakshi it is evident how the way one is socialized influences one’s perception of right and wrong. The author also reflects on the hypocrisy of the society; believing a woman to be a witch and later, as a goddess.

There are unforgettable phrases by the author, like, “The Beast lives inside all of us. He takes on various names – envy, anger, hatred, vengeance – but he is there, boiling and bubbling under the surface, making us do things we wouldn’t have done if we were purely human.”

In a way, the author insists that both good and evil resides within us. It is the society that suppresses the beast that will prance out in isolation. As this inner beast attacks Meenakshi as she spends her life alone, uncared for as a child, as an adolescent as well as in her marital life, it is upon her to take decisions that she considers to be right.

Although the narration slows down in the midsection and the transformation from Meenakshi to Ratisundari seems repetitive throughout the plot, it was a good read. It was not a typical horror story but did have a fair share of blood and gore as well as adult content. Characterization of Meenakshi and Ratisundari was fitting to the social condition they belonged to and the growth in both of their personalities was interesting to observe. The relationship they shared was both comical and tragical in different instances. Overall, a fantastical read with hues of reality.

Contributed by Parishmita Saikia

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