Tejo Tungabhadra: Tributaries Of Time

When we think of history, we automatically picture an illustrious battle between two mighty kings with massive armies and bloodshed. Ultimately, this metamorphosizes into a long timeline in history textbooks…

I got into the habit of reading historical fiction during the pandemic. It all started with ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak and later I dove into every World War 2 novel I could find. There is something so enticing about meandering through another time period, exploring their lives, and having humanity's progress unfold before your eyes. 

My mother's favorite author is Vasudhendra. She adores every book of his and was over the moon when she got to attend a workshop conducted by him! My mother noticed my taste for historical fiction and suggested that I read the English translation of Tejo Tungabhadra, a book that won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019. 

I have to say, this time I totally judged the book by its cover. It's just so pretty and abstract!! And I was so thrilled to see that Maithreyi Karnoor translated it because we share the same first name! The book was calling out to me and I couldn't wait to begin! When my Diwali holidays started, I picked up the book and avidly started reading. 

Penguin Random House

This review has spoilers! 

The story begins with young Gabriel and Bella in Lisbon, Portugal. Bella has recently moved into the country because Queen Isabella of Castile expelled all Jews living in Spain and forced them to flee to different parts. Gabriel and Bella first meet when Gabriel comes to work at Bella's father's print shop. They form a budding friendship and their hangout spot becomes the banks of River Tejo (or Tigris).

Before reading this book, I was unaware of the fact that antisemitism was prevalent in the medieval ages. I thought it sprouted only in the 1920s but it was saddening to see that the Jewish community faced hardships back then. There was one scene in particular that brought goosebumps. 

Shortly into the novel, we learn that Bella's brother is training to become a rabbi but there is a mass conversion of Jews to Christians ordered by King Manuel I. Bella and her family convert for protection but sadly her brother perishes in this incident. 

History, especially medieval history, is ruthless for laymen. There are so many public executions and draconian events taking place in the novel, that at one point you become immune to grief. I have never been more grateful to have been born at a time when people have developed humanity. 

A detour is taken, and we enter the Vijayanagara Empire flourishing along the banks of Tungabhadra.
In school, I had to memorize the names of all the kings, the cities, and eminent people but here I was delighted to see the book open up with the life of the commoners. 

We are taken into Hampamma's life. She is a vivacious lady who later has to watch two suitors duel to win her hand. 
I was very intrigued by the names of the characters. Hampamma's mother's name is Nagawwe and even in the 16th century, she is the typical mother who obsesses over her daughter. Hampamma is lovingly called Hampi, which bears a resemblance to the city of Hampi (the capital of the empire). It was indeed a thought that arose in my mind. The deity of Hampamma's village is Lord Tembakaswamy and Goddess Dibbaka. Hence, the village is named Tembakapura. I was curious to learn more about these gods but I couldn't find any traces of them on the internet. A legend washed away in the streams of time (but thankfully rescued by the book!) 

Here the conflict arises with Hampamma's suitors being two polar ends of Hindus. Keshava is a Vaishnava whereas Mapala is a Shaivite. The duel causes the village to be divided based on their faith, each sect wishing for their triumph. However, the trophy went to Keshava and resulting in Mapala's death. 

Mapala's wife Tembakka commits Sati to attain salvation for her and for her family. I could see traces of Hampamma's daring qualities when she and Keshava happily adopted Ishwari, Mapala's daughter even though it wasn't well taken by the villagers. 
This scene really hinted that Hampamma would do something bold in the book. 

Let's go back to Portugal now. 

Vasco da Gama has returned with riches and the route to finally reach the Golden Bird- India. Manuel I promises everyone who travels to India, a wealthy and prosperous life. Gabriel asks for Bella's hand in marriage, but her father refuses saying that Gabriel is a pauper and will not be able to take care of Bella. He is determined to prove her father wrong and impulsively enrolls to travel to India. Bella is heartbroken but Gabriel promises that he will return as a rich man. 

Bella gives Gabriel two goldfish and asks him to set them free in the Tungabhadra so that they can swim back to her. 

This scene absolutely had me in tears. It's so beautiful, especially the motif of goldfish. Gabriel is like the goldfish. The goldfish will be exquisite in Indian waters, similarly, Gabriel will be unique among Indians. Both of them have the same goal, to reunite with their love. 

A vivid description is given of the seas that Gabriel has to cross. The pathetic conditions they had to live in with rats scurrying about, how a woman had sneaked on board (Mulan vibes), and the atrocities of  Alfonso de Albuquerque.
It was as if I was on the ship, yearning to reach Goa and eat something other than maggot-filled biscuits. 

However, in a hurry to escape the macabre behaviors of Albuquerque, Gabriel jumps off the ship and swims toward Panaji. There the ruler Adilshah converts all Portuguese runaways to Islam, and here he acquires a new name, Ahmed Khan. He makes his way toward Tembakapura thinking that he shall probably never see Bella again. 

In Tembakapura, 

Keshava and Hampamma lead a moderately well-off life along with Ishwari, but there is a sudden turn of events. Keshava is reluctantly made to take an oath, that if King Krishnadevaraya bears a son, he shall sacrifice himself. A son is born to the king and Keshava is beheaded.

This was a time of immense frenzy. It also shows karma. Keshava had mercilessly slaughtered Mapala in the duel and his daughter had acquired severe PTSD. It pained her to accept Keshava as her new father. Even for the villagers, it was upsetting to see Keshava meet his end, but they had to put on a happy face as the empire finally had an heir. Hampamma is shattered, but there is no one to hear her cries. 

This scene also shows the influence of the king over the villagers, who had only seen him once in their life. Commoners had to be in the utmost service of their rulers, so many times it was absolutely pointless. The king is the crown jewel and everyone had to make compromises to keep him shining. 

I could feel the vexation of all the villagers, especially Hampamma, but I despised what Keshava had done and felt it was what he deserved. 

Hampamma decides to follow tradition and commit Sati. Her friends try to coax her out of it, but she remains undeterred. However, when it is revealed that she is pregnant, she decides to forfeit her early death and escape. Of course, this is met with aggression. Her brothers try killing her while she swiftly swims away. 

Hampamma meets Ahmad Khan, who had become a close friend to her over the years. He offers to take her to Goa where she can live a safer life. They set off on a long journey.

Here again, the tensions between religions are brought back. They receive a lot of stink-eyes on their journey, some condemning her for abandoning salvation through Sati. They even encounter a group of Hindus who are escaping from Goa to reach Vijayanagara, in order to avoid converting. the situation is ironic as Hampamma is escaping Vijayanagara and going to Goa. Hampamma's mind is clouded with doubts but Ahmed Khan is the ray of hope that reminds her that she needs to keep going. 

After a perilous journey, they set foot in Goa. Ahmed Khan gets Hampamma a job at a Portuguese official's house. In the same house, we meet Bella again. She is married to the officer and is startled to see Gabriel with a new name and a new form. 
It isn't the reunion I would've expected, and it felt very incomplete. Gabriel and Bella share a rich history, it shouldn't be reduced to an awkward formal meeting. I was a bit disheartened by this but happy to see that Hampamma was safe in her new house. 

The best part about the ending is that we see Tejo and Tunghabadra switch their course. Hampamma takes up a Portuguese lifestyle, whereas Gabriel embarks into the Vijayanagara empire. They feel safe in the other's homes. It's a wonderful thought to end the novel with. You never know where life will take you but you just have to embrace whatever you get.
Two seemingly opposite cultures, intertwine with Hampamma and Gabriel's story.

I was mesmerized by this book. The narration is distinctive, it keeps jumping between these two perspectives-- sometimes a bit hard to cling to, but overall showcases the myriad of things happening around at the same time. 

Though I've never visited Lisbon, I have visited Hampi. I had always wondered what was the day-to-day lives of the commoners in the Vijayanagara Empire, and now I'm grateful to have received a glimpse into it. It really breathes life into all those ancient structures, relics, and artifacts. 

Tejo Tungabhadra: Tributaries of Time is truly one-of-a-kind and its scenes will continue to flow in my mind like a perennial river. 

Well, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading this post. I really wanted to write a review for this book because I loved it very much! I hope you too will pick up this book and I can guarantee you too will love it! 

Do you like history? Have you read any historical fiction? Have you visited Lisbon or Hampi? Do you have a favorite character in the novel? Any tips to make my writing better? Are you a blogger too? 

Tell me in the comments! 😁