Gently Falls the Bakula by Sudha Murty

‘Shrikant was restless . . . Holding a bakula flower in his palm, he was wondering why he was fascinated by this tiny flower, that was neither as beautiful as a rose nor had the fragrance of a jasmine or a champaka. And yet, it was very special to him. It held an inexplicable attraction for him.’

Shrimati and Shrikant are neighbors and star students of their school in the small north Karnataka town of Hubli. It leaves no one in surprise when they come first and second respectively in the final Board exams. Soon Shrikant discovers he is strangely attracted to Shrimati, who always does better than him in the exams. Shrimati too falls in love with Shrikant and they marry each other. Shrikant joins an IT company and starts rapidly climbing the corporate ladder. Initially, he works relentlessly and reaches the pinnacle of his industry. Meanwhile, Shrimati abandons her academic aspirations and becomes his uncomplaining shadow, silently fulfilling her duties as a corporate leader’s wife. But one day, she starts examining what she has done with her life and realizes it is dismally empty.

Gently Falls the Bakula is the story of a marriage that loses its way as ambition and self-interest take their toll. Even though written nearly three decades ago, Sudha Murty’s first novel remains startlingly relevant in its scrutiny of modern values and work ethics.