There are innumerable places in the book where the narrators refer to their accounts as stories. I, being one of the narrators may have done it more than once. You, as the reader should excuse us such references. After the completion of this task, I have reached the conclusion that these accounts are not a story. I make this statement for a number of reasons. One – a conventional story has a beginning, middle, and an end. Now after having said this, you naturally expect me to say that this book has no beginning and no end. But that is not so. This book, in fact, has many beginnings and as many ends. Each character of this great drama started from one place and ended up in another and each one thus had a different end destined to him or her. And as far as the middle is concerned, it is there, but quite untraceable.
The book consists primarily of narratives of four persons, I being one of them. So, for obvious reasons, it does not represent one single point of view – another hallmark of a conventional story. But there are references to the accounts as stories and in a way the mention of the word story is quite unavoidable. So, as that part of the audience that is interested in a true story, let me clarify right at the outset that both these terms are illusive. Truth is nobody’s mistress. There are claims to the truth. And, in spite of the obvious contradictions in their respective accounts, all four central characters claim that they are speaking the truth and nothing but the truth. (Nevertheless, not all admit to speaking the whole truth.)
I see that I have been talking too much. I had decided that I mustn’t overdo it, so I will check myself here and now.
Most of the passages and narratives are as related to me (on tape); some I got the people concerned to record them on to tape in my absence as they said that they would be uncomfortable talking to me face to face. In addition to these narratives, I was fortunate enough to come into possession of certain accounts from diaries, letters, bits and pieces from other relevant documents, which I have reproduced here (with the kind consent of the parties concerned).
There are places where I have also used the transcriptions of my interviews with the characters of this great drama (on tape). I have refrained from including views and opinions of my own and any such editorial comments, which might colour the reader’s view in any way.
There is a possibility that in some places the reader might be confused as to the actual source of the narratives and whom they are addressed to. The contradictions and the discrepancies that your eyes will catch on the way in the various accounts have not been tampered with. Life is seldom clear in all its corners. The confusion is part of the experience. Enjoy it.
Anurag Kher
September 28, 2006
Mumbai
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