Sambhala: The journey begins by Shariful Hasan

"Sambhala: The journey begins" by Shariful Hasan, translated from Bengali and adapted by Arindam Mukherjee. This book is published by Grapevine India in 2014 and has 295 pages.

An old man starts behaving strangely in a village in Bangladesh. The cult of Lucifer is after a book in Dacca. Rashed, a college going youngster is suspected of murder. Nicolas Carson, a famous archeologist is searching for Count of St Germain.

Are these incidents related? What is the relation? What is the legend of Sambhala? What is the secret?

Sambhala (शम्भल) is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in inner Asia. Vishnupuran (विष्णु पुराण) mentions it as birthplace of Kalki. Gradually it came to be seen as Buddhist pure land. This book has the legend of Sambhala as the theme.

There are few legends in Indian mythology. This is one of the few used to write a fiction. Although it's Indian mythology and it's a Hindu and Buddhist legend, the story takes place in Muslim country of Bangladesh. That's mainly because the author is Bangladeshi. Elixer of life is a most sought and never achieved mirage in human history. The book deals with this subject.

Writer has an elaborate writing style. He uses all the words he needs to convey the point without worrying about the length. But the book does not become uninteresting. Characterization is proper except for the character of Arfin, who undergoes change of personality for no apparent reason. Majid's necessity to kill innocent people is also uncalled for.

Author's idea of a character that lives very long and tries to alter the course of history of mankind for good, sometimes succeeding and sometimes failing, is fascinating.

The book turns out to be an eventual anti climax because story never goes to Sambhala. That is left for the sequel. So although book is good, reader is disappointed. Why name it Sambhala?

The book looks small, but it isn't. It uses a small font. With normal font another 70-100 pages would have been added.

Arindam has done a good job of translation and adaptation. The sequels of original Bengali book are a big success. Don't know if English translations are available.

Read it for a change or if you want to read the sequel, whenever it's available.