Roots

I am not talking about Alex Haley’s “Roots” or the part of the plant body which resides under the ground – but I am talking about a subject which is quite explored in details especially in two Jhumpa Lahiri’s novels – “The interpreter of Maladies” and “Namesake”. It is an inherent human instinct to cling to their roots; after all it gives a sense of belonging to us. Also, it establishes a common chain between us – whether it is something trivial like eating from the same shop or celebrating the same festival or something more important like sharing the same high school or living in the same town. The natural tendency when you meet a person sharing the same roots, especially when you are away from home, is a feeling of kinship. This is a universal phenomenon barring the exceptions, those who are successful enough to completely disassociate themselves from their roots.

I am sure the people who have read Jhumpa Lahiri’s novels will understand what I am talking about – especially, Jeamish, Luvshack and Madrishi. It is strange but true that I and Madrishi probably share the same “saint”: