Aravind Adiga
Vishram Society, and its original version – Tower A – is not a symbol of modernity, nor of comfort. But despite the peeling paint and the patchy water supply, the building and its residents represent an “unimpeachably pucca’ middle class residential cooperative. Inaugurated in the 50s on Nehru’s birthday, the originally Christian residents showed their secular spirit and openness by allowing Hindus, and Muslims later. A monument of times past, that is how one could describe the place whose character is etched out really well by the author.
He sets up the plot really well by showing the tiny chinks in the otherwise abundant neighbourliness that exists in the apartment complex. From the respected Masterji to the security guard Ram Khare, and the Puris and Kidwais and Regos in between, the author quickly starts peeling open the characters, and the veneer.
As the area begins to show signs of progress, the land sharks move in. Dharmen Shah and his “left hand man” Shanmugham start enticing the cooperative’s residents with an offer beyond their wildest dreams. Courtesy the Pintos, (the blind Missus believes she would not be able to survive in any other place) Yogesh A Murthy, a retired school teacher, affectionately called Masterji, takes a stand, and refuses the offer. Without everyone’s go ahead, the builder cannot continue and thus begins the standoff between Masterji, his neighbours, and Shah. As the deadline approaches, Shanmugham and the residents all try various ways to convince Masterji, who refuses to budge.
His stance on one hand can be seen as his right of freedom, and his desire to see the ideal of cooperative living manifested. But then again, from the point of view of his neighbours, who have their own battles in life to fight, his refusal is also a lack of empathy. All of their dreams held hostage by one man, their anger and frustration helpless against the will of an old man.
