![]() ![]() At dusk, those piled flowers will be squeezed into large bags and taken away thrown at a dumping ground, to dissolve and reconnect with the soil they once grew from. ![]() Thousands of blossoms will rub the air, leaving behind the centuries-old Sufi ¹ scent. Then the delicate petals will be spread over the tomb, to touch the mystic’s soul quietly, and by evening they will begin to darken, wane and dry out. These roses will absorb the chanted verses, she thought. The fragrant blossoms shimmered under a silvery net of water droplets. Set in contemporary India, a land of dichotomies, the novel challenges the notions of gender, feminism vis-à-vis spirituality/religion, and culturally appropriate romantic expression. They are forced to re-examine their values, renounce their old risk-averse selves, and face a dark night of the soul. Together, they embark on a transformative journey, laced with doubt and danger. And Chameli, a dazzling but emotionally fragile transgender woman, is forced to leave the community which had once provided her with safety and identity. Santan, an aging Hindu man, in the face of a near-death experience, suddenly discovers a new spark for life. Tabu is a rebellious young Muslim woman, who speaks her mind under the guise of jinn influence. Through a series of serendipitous encounters, and against all odds, their paths intertwine at a time when each stands at a personal crossroads. Three protagonists boldly confront a tradition-driven and repressive world. The Outcasts is a story of loss, running away, hope and return. ![]()
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