Harini Nagendra is a renowned Indian ecologist who studies cities. In fact, her deep dive into the history of Bangalore became a central focus of her academic research. And while sifting through piles of archival documents, she stumbled upon captivating historical tales – unrelated to ecology – that fired her imagination.
They practically begged to be woven into a narrative . . . and since the story could not be scientific, Nagendra created the Bangalore Detectives Club series (Pegasus Crime/Hachette Book Group), a collection of historical crime novels set in 1920s colonial Bangalore. “I wanted to write something that allowed me to delve deeper into those times, and the inspiring women and men who blazed past societal barriers, paving the way for us today,” she explains. “Mystery fiction is my favorite genre, apart from fantasy – and I was clear that if I wrote a book set in the past, it would be a historical crime novel.”
The series’ winning central protagonist is the striking Kaveri Murthy – she of the appropriately enigmatic and insistent creation: “Kaveri parachuted into my head one day, and demanded that I write about her. As one reader recently commented, perhaps I had a visitation! She is very real to me, and always has been – I felt I knew her intimately, and had a gut sense of how she thought, what her likes and dislikes were, and what she would do in any given situation.”
When Kaveri first “apparated” into Nagenra’s imagination, she was named Bhagirathi (“don’t ask me why,” Nagendra smiles ruefully). This was soon rectified because she “felt the name Kaveri suited her better.” And despite Kaveri’s . . . insistence, Nagendra swears that “If we met in real life, I’m sure we would be best friends!”
While Kaveri takes centre stage, the Bangalore Detectives Club series boasts a diverse cast of supporting characters, each with their own charm and significance. Nagendra expresses a special fondness for Uma aunty, a character who landed unexpectedly on the page and swiftly took over. An inquisitive neighbor with a pungent tongue and a heart of gold, Uma aunty plays a pivotal role in Kaveri’s life. “Every Indian woman has, or should have, an Uma aunty in their lives,” smiles Nagendra.
Nagendra is proud of the beautiful dynamic of mutual support and growth realized between Kaveri and Uma aunty: “Uma aunty teaches Kaveri cooking, and helps her prepare for her new role as the daughter-in-law of a prominent Bangalore family. And Kaveri teaches Uma aunty to read and write, defy the conventions of society, and become more independent.” Harendra pronounces the unlikely duo a “tight team”, with each a “perfect foil” for the other.
The city of Bangalore in the 1920s serves as the beloved backdrop for Nagendra’s books. The series pays loving tribute to this “gorgeous city”, which – accepting of diverse languages, faiths, and cultures – housed a vibrant medley of people from various parts of India and the world. “Even the ecology reflected this difference, with the city populated by trees from Africa, Latin America and many parts of Asia too,” marvels Nagendra, who loves “using the ecology to reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the city and to describe its varied settings.” From the cramped lanes and congested colonies of cowherds to the Indian bungalows of the elite and the posh British areas, Nagendra conjures all of the city’s captivating landscapes with vigour. At the same time, she celebrates the trailblazing women who thrived in 1920s Bangalore, such as the coffee entrepreneur D Sakamma and the journalist Kalyanamma. By weaving their stories into her books, Nagendra ensures that their legacies can inspire today’s readers.
And Nagendra’s Bangalore Detectives Club series not only entertains readers with intriguing mysteries, but also sheds light on social, political, and cultural issues of the time. Interweaving the mystery and the exploration of broader topics is a delicate task that Nagendra handles thoughtfully: “I have worked at getting the balance right, and constantly wonder if I should be putting some more of the historical and socio-political context in, or taking some bit of it out.” Her writing process involves burrowing into “rabbit holes” of historical research that fascinate her – such as the story of how women fought for suffrage in 1920s Bangalore – and then refining and streamlining the information until she finds that equilibrium.
In Murder Under a Red Moon, the second and newest book in the series, Nagendra builds upon the foundation of the central characters established in the first installment: “Kaveri; her supportive husband Ramu; equally supportive Inspector Ismail; her caustic, disapproving mother-in-law Bhargavi; friendly neighbour Uma aunty; and their ever-helpful, irrepressible milk delivery boy Venu.” With the characters so well-developed, Nagendra can delve into other themes, “especially the twin issues of women’s rights and the movement for Indian independence”. And “at the same time, I explore an issue of contemporary significance – religious cults and the influence they often have on people’s lives.” With a mysterious self-styled holy man becoming her central focus, Kaveri finds herself juggling multiple challenges and mysteries in this compelling addition to the series.
When Nagendra indulges her imagination and visualizes the Bangalore Detectives Club on the silver screen, she conjures a historical setting and a dream cast of actors. Given that the books are set in the 1920s, Nagendra envisions legendary Indian actress Madhubala as the embodiment of Kaveri, with her stunning smile, quick wit, and mischievous spirit. For the role of Ramu, Kaveri’s supportive husband, Nagendra would cast the dashing Guru Dutt, who shared the screen with Madhubala in many memorable Hindi movies. Completing her dream cast are Honey Irani as Venu, the ever-helpful milk delivery boy, and Dina Pathak as Uma aunty, the inquisitive neighbor.
With her impeccable storytelling and ability to intertwine historical context with thrilling mysteries, Nagendra’s work captivates and inspires readers, while shedding light on both the past and the present. She has just completed the third book in the series, and is currently fleshing out the skeleton for books four to six. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet her and discover the secrets of the Bangalore Detectives Club series at A Taste for Murder with Ryan Gattis, Jenny Lund Madsen, Harini Nagendra & Kwei Quartey on June 2 at 12 pm and Power & Prejudice: Vaseem Khan & Harini Nagendra on June 03 at 5:30pm, as part of the MOTIVE: Crime & Mystery Festival, taking place from June 2 to 4 at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesayarts Magazine, 2023
