Unmasking The Masks: A Close Reading of Namita Gokhale’s A Himalayan Love Story

Abstract

Namita Gokhale’s novel A Himalayan Love Story is essentially a poignant tale of the love of Parvati and Mukul which remains unconsummated due Hiranand Joshi’s belief in the concept of miscegenation. It is a reiteration of the fact that true lovers are fated to be pulled apart. The novel aims to distinguish between love and lust. Though Parvati sleeps with Salman and Raju, she never experiences emotional fulfilment. Similarly, Mukul’s physical relationship with his wife Adeleine and Pasang Rampa does not give him any joy. However, their longing for each-other wanes with the passage of time. The present study is an essay to navigate how the real faces of characters are unmasked in the novel. At first, it is Parvati who unmasks the real character of her mother which distances her from her. Then, to her is unmasked the homosexual nature of her husband, Lalit. Next, Hiranand’s real nature is revealed to us and we are shocked to know that his preachings and practices are widely different. To us is also revealed the true nature of Parvati and Mukul who yield to the physical temptations. The paper also discusses the problems of widowhood, girls’ education and complications of human relations as the novel is chiefly woven around them.