Bhaskar Parichha
When you stumble upon a ‘religious thriller’ there is invariably deep mystery, there is the hunt that uses religious artifacts and there are secrets at the core of the narrative. There may not be religious precision, but if the storyline is strong enough, it gives the viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation, and anxiety.
In Kapil Dabur’s ‘The Signet Ring’, a pandemic engulfs the world killing thousands by the day. The last surviving member of a mysterious brotherhood tries to avenge the injustice to his lord, the great Demon King. Mysterious thefts take place at the most uncommon places: temples, and vaults.
An MBA from IIM Bangalore and having worked at leadership positions in blue-chip firms, New Delhi-based Kapil Dabur is a startup enthusiast. But that doesn’t deter him to write down thrillers. His first novel ‘Unusual Choices’ had received widespread appreciation.
The present thriller essentially tries to be familiar with the age-old beliefs about Lord Vishnu and his life events in the shape of a modern-day crime novel. Religious events of the past have been used profusely to take forward the plot. So also the characters.
The crime story takes the reader way back to the time when human life on earth began as indicated by the Vedic mythology. It revolves around a spiritual brotherhood trying to avenge the injustice meted out to asuras by Lord Vishnu. All the ten avatars of Vishnu and his fierce battles with demons during those incarnations come to play in the novel in a modern-day technique.
The plot is set in Oslo Public library and begins with Ajit and Ethan who are in the lookout for an important map. Job done, they slip out while there is smolder all around the second floor of the record room. The thriller ends with Stefan, Kartik, and Indira in the midst of Pandit Kanakaksa’s death. In between, there are tens of characters who do a roller coaster ride: Shambhoo, Masood, Mahesh, Washim Bhai, Rahim, Kesav Pandit Bhushuta, and so on.
The title of the novel is taken from biblical times. The signet ring has been around since the days of the Old Testament when it was used as a personal signature or symbol of family heritage. Ancient kings used signet rings to designate authority, honor, or ownership. Official documents were sealed with a dollop of soft wax impressed with the king’s signet which certified the document as genuine.
Kapil’s novel blends mythology and history. Two storylines run concurrently and join sooner or later. The storyline, strongly grounded in the present times, invokes plenty of realism in the mind of the reader. Then he tries to connect the reader with the other plot that dwells into prehistoric times.
The Storyline is etched with momentous life stories of some of the most revered gods in Hindu mythology: Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and the mighty Lord Vishnu and, of course, the legendary Hanuman.
If a thriller is a villain-driven plot where the protagonist must overcome the obstacles, Kapil has tried to put those obstacles at the right place. There are enough twists and turns in the crime story and he has tried to make it an organically ubiquitous novel.
With its iconic title and unmistakable cover, ‘The Signet Ring’ is a labyrinthine and fabulous account of a destruction that never came about. As a suspenseful story, ‘The Signet Ring’ is fast-paced and the talking is peppy. It makes an enjoyable read.
‘The Signet Ring’/Kapil Dabur
Leadstart Publishing/Mumbai
2020
