The Curse of Muziris (Hamish Morjaria)

The Curse of Muziris runs in two parallel stories - one with ASI Researcher Dr. Harveen Gill in the present day trying to find evidence of the port of Muziris that disappeared after being a very prominent trading port in the 1st century AD; and the other of the trader Jayesh who lived in the 1st century A.D. and had a big role to play in the rise of Muziris. Each chapter moves from the present to the past and builds on the story bit by bit. It is interesting to see how some element mentioned in one time frame finds a resonance in another period in the next chapter. It reminded me somewhat of the book All Our Broken Idols by Paul M.M.Cooper which follows a similar pattern. Spoilers ahead. Pls do not read this review if you intend to read the book.

Dr. Harveen Gill comes across a near intact house from the 1st century. This happens with three events coming together - very heavy rainfall, the mischief of some small boys and risk of bodily harm that she thoughtlessly puts her team to. The last happens due to her single mindedness to notch up some archaeological discovery so that her project is not shelved. In this attempt, she retrieves reams and reams of cloth on which some accounts seem to have been written, that could date back to the 1st century and maybe records of trade that happened in the ancient Port of Muziris. Will these documents reveal the status of the now lost Port and reveal the glory that this town held? Are they her ticket to fame and greatness? Somehow the documents lead her to the remains of St. Thomas and the famed icon from the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, a temple of Jewish faith, called the Ark of Covenant. In her path, is not only a troublesome colleague out to claim the glory, but the whole might of Vatican that does not want anything about St Thomas or the Ark to get out. They are willing to kill to keep their dark secrets. 

The other parallel plot is led by Jayesh, a young boy who lived in Muziris. The son of a simple trader, he has a keen business sense and through various business strategies and risks he takes, he takes the Port of Muziris to great heights. The town establishes trade with Romans who come via Alexandria (Egypt). His ability to establish trust with the foreign traders, his knack of making great and fair deals, his foresight in investing into the required facilities in the port etc put Muziris on the world map for trading. Till he incurs Roman wrath by accumulating too much profit, leading to the Kingdom of Rome in debt of the Port of Muziris. Even in that situation, he does some quick thinking and offers to take the things troubling the Romans off their hands - the Ark of the Covenant and the jews displaced after the Roman raid on Jerusalem. This finally proves to be his undoing and leads to the decline of Muziris.

To understand the plot more, one must understand the historical facts and legends behind arrival of St. Thomas, the apostle and companion of Christ, to India. According to traditional accounts, he arrived in India in 52AD and introduced Christianity to the area. He landed in the port of Muziris (modern day North Paravur and Kodungalloor in Kerala) and baptized several members of the local population. According to Syrian Christian tradition, St. Thomas was killed in present day Chennai and is interred in Mylapore. The other important character is the Jewish relic called the Ark of the Covenant that was revered in Jewish tradition as a relic with God's power. According to one view, it was housed in Jerusalem till the city was ransacked by Nebuchadnezzar in 587BCE. There are many other legends and myths associated with it, its powers of destruction if not handled carefully, where it was housed and how it disappeared.

The author weaves together the two parallel stories and tell us how events that happened thousands of years ago have a bearing to this day and uncovering the truth is well nigh impossible. It is a good plot and a good attempt but fails to do justice to any of the various plots and subplots it constructs. The characters, both in the past and present are mere caricatures. Why is an accomplished archaeologist like Dr. Gill made to be such an insecure character? At one point, she is more interested in what her new colleague Dr Penny Gupta has worn to work and how the other male colleagues seem to stare at her and are taken in by her. When she meets her first she looks at her own clothes and wishes she had made more of an effort that morning - I mean really? That's her professional concern? What are we in - 1983? The characters from Vatican who land up in Kerala and seem to have a free reign here is another part I could not wrap my head around. So they can jet set to and from Kochi with no need for Visas or any official interface or locus standi. They can carry off any artefacts excavated in Kerala in India, under the nose of the Archaeological Survey of India, by promising a job for Dr. Harveen Gill in Vatican. They can also assassinate an Indian national and no questions asked. There are characters introduced who have no role to play in the plot and seem to be brought in for no purpose - just for vibes.

All in all, maybe a brave attempt but one that does not land as intended. I compared the approach to All Our Broken Idols - it is only similar is approach and thats where it starts and ends.