Book review: Saraswati by Gurnaik Johal

A river runs through it all

Simply put, this book is audacious in scope and epic in scale. The resurgence of that ancient mythical river, the Saraswati, is braided here with the individual stories of characters,  all of whom are part of one extended family.  Multiple narratives across different continents deal with varied themes ranging from eco-terrorism, hate crimes, righ-twing politics and much else.

Like the intricate embroidery in a phulkari dupatta, which plays an important part in this tale, a family`s  origin story takes shape. The story begins with Satnam returning from the UK to his ancestral farm for his grandmother’s funeral. This coincides with the discovery of water in a dead well,  which is taken as a sign of the return of the river Saraswati. As the river is imbued with historical and religious significance,  all kinds of people descend on Satnam’s farm. Soon a nationalist agenda takes root; holy men, politicians,  archaeologists all work to serve the agenda. Satnam, a bit adrift, finds himself getting embroiled in unpleasant ways.

The chapters alternate between the past in 19th century Punjab,  and the present. An inter-caste marriage takes place back in those times. In the present,  we meet a diverse cast of characters: a musician, an archaeology professor, an entomologist, a hustler who also manages the social media feed of a famous musician, a stuntman. They will turn out to be descendants of the inter-caste couple, distant cousins all. Contact is established and some sort of relationship is forged.

Placing the cousins in different occupations affords the writer room to highlight various concerns. We see an eco-terrorist group planning an attack, and the unfortunate consequences of actions that are deemed justified plays out here. Climate change and its effects come into focus in the work of the entomologist. The use of archaeologists to further a jingoistic programme is touched upon.

Unfolding events looped together

Threaded through all the different stories is the way in which a nationalist right-wing government works on the myth of unearthing a lost river to consolidate power. An alternate history takes shape and in short order, becomes the norm. There is much propaganda. Grandiose plans are made. A whole new shining city is built. Elections are won on the basis of the religious fervour thus engendered.

Some of the characters will find their lives impacted by the unfolding events, all of them will finally gather at a celebration in the new city built by the government. This then, will lead to a tragedy familiar from headlines. But all will not be lost.

There is ambition in the telling of this story but it is told in a distant manner, so the reader does not feel too invested. In giving a potted history about the various issues, there tends to be too much exposition. It is the story of the inter-caste couple that remains affecting. The qisse of Punjab and the story of the phulkaris is incorporated in the larger picture in a clever way. This Observer Best Debut Novel of 2025 is both an engaging and promising work.

Saraswati by Gurnaik Johal. Serpent’s Tail Books. 373 pages.Rs 699. 

https://www.thehindu.com/books/a-river-runs-through-it-all-review-of-saraswati-by-gurnaik-johal/article70019257.ece

This runs in The Hindu`s Literary Review of 14 September 2025.