The Hindu : New Delhi News : An introduction to Lalli and her life

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Saturday, Apr 29, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

An introduction to Lalli and her life

Mandira Nayar

Lalli is the stylish detective of book `The Page 3 Murders' by Kalpana Swaminathan

NEW DELHI: Lalli is a rarity in Indian literature. One of the few detectives in `desi' fiction, Lalli walks quite alone through the world of crime that is usually dominated by men. Created by Kalpana Swaminathan, Lalli is stylish, in her 60s and silver-haired.

Retired from the police service, she still is their last resort when it comes to murders.

"I think there are many glamorous young detectives around. So I decided to make her in her 60s," says the author.

Not an English lady with a lot of curiosity and the habit of being in places where people mysteriously get killed, Lalli is not like Miss Marple -- the first name that most people associate with women who solve crime -- nor is she like Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's only and finest female private detective, but, like them, she manages to solve difficult and even complicated cases.

"She is not like Miss Marple," the author clarifies. While Lalli was born in a short story, "Cryptic Death", she has now taken on a full-fledged book, "The Page 3 Murders".

"I think women make better detectives. They are naturally curious and are more interested in human beings," says Kalpana.

Hopefully, the first of many crimes that Lalli solves for readers, this book is really an introduction to her and her life.

From her niece, who is the narrator in the story, who complicates the "narrative by falling madly in love" to her police friends Balkrishna Jadhav and Savio, the book is really giving people a taste of Lalli at work.

"I don't subscribe to the theory that detective fiction is not a work of art. People feel that it is a lower form of literature. But I think human beings have a need for justice and its process. It is very reassuring as we look for the rationalising it in our lives," she feels.

"The Page 3 Murders" might deal with crime, but the book is not all about grisly details. Written in an easy style, the book has something for everyone -- food, intrigue and a sense of humour.

A doctor who also happens to write, Kalpana believes that being a surgeon and a writer are not mutually exclusive.

"I have been a writer for a long time. Both of them are not in contrast with each other. You have to be observant, have an eye for detail and be compassionate. These are values that are needed for both," she says.

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