Ordinary lives, extraordinary truths

Sundar Viswam’s ‘Mortal Remains and Other Stories’ explores love, friendship, morality, betrayal and the complexities of human nature

There are stories that entertain us, stories that disturb us, and then there are stories that quietly remain with us long after the last page has been turned. Mortal Remains and Other Stories by Sundar Viswam belongs to the third category. This thoughtfully conceived collection explores the contradictions, vulnerabilities, desires and moral dilemmas that shape ordinary human lives. Sundar possesses a perceptive eye for apparently insignificant moments that suddenly acquire enormous emotional consequences. A kite drifting through the sky, a wedding invitation, a chance encounter on a train, a rumour in a small community or an unexpected twist of fate becomes the starting point for deeper explorations of friendship, family, love, ambition, morality and betrayal.

The title story, “Mortal Remains”, is perhaps the collection’s most introspective piece. Its celebrated writer, chained to his compulsion to write, becomes a compelling metaphor for the creative individual who continues to live through his art even when life itself appears burdensome. “The Red Kite” transforms carefree childhood friendship and rivalry into a heartbreaking memory, while “Manda oh my Manda!” explores the fragile boundary between affection and self-interest. “The Invitation” demonstrates how an apparently harmless social ritual can expose long-suppressed bitterness within a family. In “Falling Out”, friendship gradually disintegrates as hidden perceptions and a painful secret surface, while “Brother in Need” brings adolescence face to face with corruption and insecurity. The collection acquires a wider social dimension through stories dealing with destiny, principles, migration and moral choice. “The God of Chance” gives coincidence an almost human personality as two lovers struggle against circumstances that repeatedly keep them apart. “Regrettably, Yours” offers a perceptive glimpse into the immigrant experience, where professional success cannot completely silence anxiety created by uncertain status. “A Matter of Principle” examines how deeply held convictions can collide, leaving individuals struggling to protect their own choices. “Just Token” enters the uneasy territory between honesty and temptation, testing a man’s confidence in his integrity when confronted with everyday corruption.

Perhaps the greatest strength of Mortal Remains and Other Stories is its understanding that human beings are rarely what they appear to be. Beneath affection there may be insecurity, beneath honesty temptation, beneath success fear, and beneath ordinary relationships emotions that have remained unspoken for years. “Pleasanton”, centred on an American community unsettled by the rumour of an Indian lottery winner, exposes the prejudices, anxieties and aspirations beneath a seemingly pleasant surface. Across these eleven stories, the author combines social observation with emotional insight and a gentle vein of irony.

Sundar’s characterisation is one of the collection’s notable strengths. His characters are neither entirely virtuous nor completely flawed; they are recognisably human, shaped by circumstances, desires, insecurities and choices. Their personalities emerge naturally through action, dialogue, hesitation and silence rather than excessive description. This gives them psychological credibility and emotional depth. His language complements this approach. The prose is lucid, controlled and accessible without sacrificing literary quality. Sundar avoids unnecessary ornamentation and allows situations to carry their own emotional weight. His narrative voice moves effortlessly between tenderness, irony, observation and introspection. The simplicity of his language becomes a strength, creating immediacy while leaving room for the reader to discover deeper meanings. “Mortal Remains and Other Stories” ultimately reminds us that extraordinary literature can emerge from ordinary lives. Sundar Viswam looks closely at familiar human experiences and reveals the complexity hidden within them. His stories do not merely entertain; they invite reflection and, ultimately, hold up a quiet mirror to ourselves.

(Dr Rupali Sethi is a noted Literary Critic, book reviewer and scholar of Hindi and English Literature.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Rupali Sethi

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