The Light of His Clan

Kuldeep Chandanth | ex-Minister of the Government of Sikkim | leading light of his community | and foul-mouthed | caste-obsessed | ageing patriarch | is in the final siege of his illustrious life. His clans people are helping him in his lifelong efforts to uplift them by opposing his every suggestion | and his three children have refused the responsibility of carrying forward his life’s work. Pradeep | his eldest son-from his second wife-is a feckless engineer with the Department of Village Roads. Pradeep is determined to protect the honour of his department’s lady clerks from the attentions of his half- brother Yograj | a ladies’ man committed to his pleasures. Yogita | the ex-Minister’s only daughter | works in Delhi | and is eternally on the verge of returning to Sikkim to look after him. His servant Pemba is dedicated in his attempts to feel up Ai Doma | the momo-seller who lives next door. And just as the ex-Minister gives up hope from the living | the ghost of his third wife | Sumitra | dead for twenty years | returns to point an accusing finger at him. Set in Gangtok | The Light of His Clan follows—over days of hail | rain | mist and sun—the ex-Minister as he navigates the treachery of those once close to him | schemes for and against his children | and battles the final stiffening of his bones. Funny | compassionate | wise | and full of memorable characters | The Light of His Clan is a triumph.