Though Chetan Bhagat became quite a rage after his Five Point Someone was adapted into a hit Hindi film, 3 Idiots, nevertheless, I must say that I failed to become quite a fan of his. You see, the only book of Bhagat which I had the oppurtunity to read was One Night @ The Call Centre and I certainly wasn't quite taken by it. I mean, the novel did have it's moments but the whole "God-calling-fiasco" at the climax dampened my whole spirit on re-reading the same. So I was pleasantly surprised to hear good reviews about his 2 States.
Chetan Bhagat certainly does have a wonderful and addictive sense of humour. His take on the Tamilians' and Punjabis' varying mannerisms is not only funny but made in a good nature. There's hardly a time when he describes an incident without leaving a funny remark or analogue to it, nevertheless, the remarks while hits the right note, doesn't in any way seem offensive or abusive.
2 States is basically about a Punjabi boy and a Tamil girl, both of whom fall in love while doing their post-graduation degree in the same university. Hailing from two different states and from two very different culture, the couple has to fight all odds to convince their respective parents to accept their love and eventually agree to their marriage.
Bhagat might have based most, if not all the incidents stated in the book from his own life, as like Krish (the protagonist) Bhagat too hailed from a Punjabi family and married his Tamil wife after courting her during their post-graduate studies in IIM Ahmedabad (the same University where Krish meets Ananya). And the thought that this could have happened in his real life evokes more humour in one as the depictions are so clearly noted and brought to life.
Some of the rib-tickling descriptions arise when Krish is facing the dillema of watching the cultural clash forming in front of him. The extent of which Krish and Ananya went to bring their families closer during their graduation and how such a move only manages to prove that their families are vastly different from one another and further lenghten the gap between them. And how the couple partake in the other family's culture and belief from their point of view. The incidents are not funny but the descriptions definitely are. It just goes on to show how the author manage to lace every aspect of the protagonist's life with a good sense sense of humour. For instance, Krish's observation that Suprabatham* sounds akin to "a group of women marching towards the army". What made it funny was that I've been listening to Suprabatham all through my life but never had I thought someone would describe it in such a humorous yet profound manner! It hit the nail right to the coffin. And again, when Krish's masi comments to her sister "Your son is gone. This boy belongs to Jayalalitha now!" - how can you not take it in light-hearted manner?
From Delhi to Madras, from chappatis to thosais and vadas, from Mr. Romeo to Devdas, from being the reluctant family tutor to the eager to please son-in-law, from flaunting designer clothes in Citybank to wearing Mickey Mouse underwear in the wedding, Krish's journey was full of life and joy! This amazingly funny novel will definitely make you roar with laughter, whether you wish for it or not. Go read it!
*Suprabatham is a Tamil devotional number sung for Lord Venkateswara. A famous version of the song is rendered by the carnatic singer, M.S. Subbulakshmi.
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