Cord and the Diamond Pendant

About the Book

The time frame extends from the early nineteenth century to the early years of the twenty-first century. The novel deals with the themes of love and hate. The early protagonists are Jonathan and Shanti, Bridgerajh and a young British girl, and Meghi, a girl forced into prostitution. In a new land, they strive to lead a meaningful life. The enemies are descendants of thuggees and a medley of Satanists. The vendetta haunts each generation. In the second generation, we meet Ramanand and his brothers struggling to define a new life of personal choice. They struggle against injustice and oppression, which affects their love for family. Their lives are uprooted by the rapacity of the apartheid regime’s legally creating a tragic Indian Diaspora within South Africa. The descendants of the thuggees have embraced organised crime. In the third generation are couples like Andries and Joyce; Vishaal and Sabita; Jayesh, who is tangled with Janice, Sharita, and Zuleka; and Pravesh and his beloved Durgha, who become political refugees and fight the enemy to a tragic finish. Intertwined are the lives of Siphiwe an African freedom fighter and his white sweetheart Victoria. There’s Spanner and his Indian girlfriend Sunita. The enemy is led by a godfather whose young pupil is Akhsay. A host of people have their lives interwoven with all these persons. The climax is a private war transcending national boundaries. There is a group of knights on a journey of disappointment and discovery. Finally, there is the fourth generation that wants answers and frees itself. The protagonist is Aditi, a young woman of the twenty-first century. The letters to Aditi are an attempt to answer her questions.

About the Author

A third generation Indian immigrant, he grew up in Natal. He graduated at the University of Natal with a bachelor of arts degree majoring in English and speech and drama. He also graduated with a BA honours degree in speech and drama. After obtaining a diploma in education at Natal University, he taught English and other subjects at various high schools. Later, he studied Latin at the University of Natal, passing with merit. He studied Hindi and Sanskrit with private tutors. He read ancient studies for the MA degree at Stellenbosch University. Owing to illness, he was not able to submit his final thesis. He has produced dramas and dance dramas in various towns as well at the Springfield Teachers Training College, Durban, where he lectured in English literature. He has taught creative writing. He has written and produced experimental protest plays. He served as a spiritual and cultural pundit for the last ten years at the Vishnu Mandir of the Indian Community of Springs, Gauteng, South Africa. He has now retired and tutors privately.