Frontlist | 'Undertow' by Jahnavi Barua

Frontlist | 'Undertow' by Jahnavi Barua
on Mar 16, 2021

Author Jahnavi Barua's third novel 'Undertow' released in 2020. Mainly set in Assam, the story touches upon various themes like home, family, belonging, finding one self and self-love-- all of which will touch the readers in some way. 'Undertow' follows Loya's story, who is on a journey to discover herself. Twenty-five years old Loya decides to leave her home in Bangalore as she sets off to Assam to study the Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, and to connect with her grandfather Torun Ram Goswami whom she has never met before. Years ago, Loya's mother Rukmini was cast out of her home by her mother Usha for falling love against Usha's wishes. It was Torun who had helped Rukmini run away and marry someone out of their religion, but in order to please his wife he cut his ties with Rukmini. Now as Loya returns to her maternal roots at The Yellow House on the banks of Brahmaputra, she is in search of answers from Torun and a place Rukmini once called home. Meanwhile, Loya ends up understanding not just herself but also human bonds.