A River Sutra

May 3, 1993
This novel of India beautifully embodies the art and craft of storytelling as Mehta ( Karma Cola ; Raj ) portrays diverse lives touched by the river Narmada, a holy pilgrimage site ``worshipped as the daughter of the god Shiva.'' At the heart of the work is an unnamed retired civil servant, the narrator, who desires only the peace and quiet of a contemplative life on the river. His neighbor, a religious teacher, comments: ``Don't you realize you were brought here to gain the world, not forsake it?'' That world shows up in the form of various seekers--among them, a monk, an executive, a courtesan--whose stories occupy separate chapters but are seamlessly woven into the main narrative for our delight and edification (as the ``sutra'' of the title implies). Perhaps the most beautiful vignette is ``The Musician's Story,'' in which an 18-year-old sitar player, daughter of a famous musician and teacher, comes to the river seeking relief from the ache of unrequited love. The music of India, the raga, figures prominently in other chapters too. As characters reveal the pleasure and pain that have shaped their lives, Mehta discloses the wonders of this country--the Jain religion; savory samosas and pickled mangoes; bazaars where one can choose from ``glass bangles,'' ``clouds of spun sugar'' or ``a bar of soap with a film star's face on the wrapping.'' Mehta does not avoid the controversies of life in her homeland, including the caste system and political/religious rivalries; rather, she willingly exposes its complexities. A charming and useful glossary of foreign terms makes a second journey through the fascinating text irresistible. Major ad/promo; author tour.