Asides, Tirades, Meditations is collection of selected non-fictional essays by the late Kiran Nagarkar. The essays are presented in three different sections based on the subjects that they deal with. Part I, titled ‘On Culture,’ is subdivided into two sections: ‘Writing’ and ‘Cinema.’ Part II is titled ‘On Society and Politics.’ Whereas the essays in the first part present Nagarkar and his views as a writer and a film critic, the second part brings forth Nagarkar as an individual—a social being. There is something in these essays for every kind of reader.
Nagarkar had a rather tall stature and he continues to cast a long shadow on the Indian socio-cultural-scape. Accordingly, these essays appeal to the reader in diverse ways. While one is likely to disagree with some of the opinions that he expresses on different issues, one struggles to find room for his or her own disagreements under the authoritative tone of Nagarkar. That is not to say that the reading experience is stifled; it remains thoroughly enjoyable. His tongue-in-cheek style, which is more pronounced in the second part of the book, helps in gulping down ideas that might otherwise make one disinterested. His sarcasm and wit is sure to turn everyone into a fan of his charismatic personality that shines well through his writing.
As someone who is more interested in books than films, I enjoyed the section on writing the most. In fact, the essays from that section can serve as a useful compendium to Nagarkar’s other works. They reveal to the reader what goes on in the mind of a writer while he plans and creates his works. Then, the essays in part II appealed to me for the brief and intermittent autobiographical glimpses that we get into his life as an ordinary human being; and yet the reader continues to marvel at his extraordinary character. There are a couple of essays where his classic tongue-in-cheek style seemed to have extended been to the extent that it gets tiring, but that does not affect the overall reading experience much. Besides that, I did not enjoy the section on films as I am personally not much interested in cinema. But I am sure that it would appeal immensely those who are cinema buffs. The introduction by Salil Tripathi and the afterword by Nayantara Sahgal make for interesting reads as well.
All in all, the book got me quite interested in reading more of his works. I have read only Jasoda by him. And after going through these essays, I am certainly going to read more of Nagarkar. Having said that, I do feel that the book is meant for those who are already somewhat familiar with Nagarkar and his works, and not for new readers.
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