The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `God's Little Soldier' released

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 21, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`God's Little Soldier' released

Special Correspondent

`The book has the sweep of a classical 19th Century novel'

LAUNCH: Playwright Girish Karnad (left) and writer Kiran Nagarkar at a book release in Bangalore on Thursday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Why is Kiran Nagarkar constantly drawn to the theme of religion in all his works? What is his personal position on religion?

Responding to these questions by a reader at the launch of his latest novel, "God's Little Soldier", here on Thursday, the Marathi and English writer Mr. Nagarkar said: "These are questions that would take me a week to consider. But let me just say that I am a-religious, and yet, am drawn compulsively to religion. That, even as I am deeply disturbed by religion and am frightened of dealing with it."

Speaking after releasing the book, playwright Girish Karnad also touched upon "this important preoccupation" of Mr. Nagarkar.

He said "God's Little Soldier" had the sweep of a classical 19th Century novel, and much like the novels in that tradition, saw religion and politics as intrinsically connected with the deepest turmoil of a man. He said Mr. Nagarkar was one of the few writers to write on this theme at a time when religion was the most contentious issue.

Mr. Karnad and Mr. Nagarkar read excerpts from "God's Little Soldier", the latter's third English novel after "Ravan And Eddie" and "Cuckold".

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