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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