Undertow

In Undertow, Jahnavi Barua paints a vivid picture of intertwining family dynamics and the profound journeys they undertake. Torun Goswami and his formidable wife, Usha, had exiled their daughter, Rukmini, for marrying outside her community. Now, Rukmini’s introspective and earnest daughter, Loya, sets foot in Assam at Torun’s old yellow house on the hillside overlooking the Brahmaputra. With her focus on researching the Asian Elephant for her thesis, Loya seeks more than just a temporary residence. She embarks on a transformative path, forging a connection with her estranged grandfather and unraveling her own identity along the way.

At twenty-five, Loya carries a sense of solitariness and yearning within her heart. Driven by restlessness, she ventures far from her mother, Rukmini, and her home in Bengaluru, to the misty landscapes of Assam. Her quest is twofold: to encounter the majestic Elephas maximus and to seek out the grandfather she has never met. The Yellow House, Torun’s dwelling on the banks of the Brahmaputra, becomes the setting where Loya’s life takes an unexpected turn. With a painful history involving her mother’s expulsion from the family, Loya seeks answers not only from Torun but also from the place that once held her mother’s roots. Through her journey, she unravels the delicate threads that bind people together, gaining insights into her own existence and the ever-evolving nature of love.

Undertow delicately and poignantly captures the essence of family and its complex intricacies. Jahnavi Barua’s masterful storytelling transcends mere exploration of home and the outside world; it delves into the realms of belonging, identity, and the perpetual evolution of love itself. Set against the backdrop of Guwahati, this novel encompasses the eternal themes of homecoming, self-discovery, and the intertwining narratives of insiders and outsiders.