Water Days : A Novel

Water Days: A Novel by Sundar Sarukkai is a literary novel set in a rapidly changing Bengaluru at the turn of the millennium, where the unexplained death of a young woman unsettles a close-knit neighbourhood. As rumours spread and questions multiply, an ordinary security guard is drawn into an unexpected search for answers, revealing the lives, relationships and quiet tensions that bind the community together.

Against the backdrop of a multilingual neighbourhood where Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi mingle in everyday conversation, the novel follows thirteen days of mourning, reflection and discovery. Through intimate observations of daily life, it explores how shared spaces and collective memories shape the search for truth.

About This Book

The story centres on Raghavendra, a former security guard who dreams of opening a grocery store. At the urging of his wife, Poornima, he takes on the responsibility of uncovering what happened on the night of the young woman's death. His search gradually uncovers unexpected connections within the neighbourhood and challenges assumptions about those around him.

Running alongside this investigation is the daily gathering of women at the community water taps during the thirteen-day mourning period. As they collect water before sunrise, they also exchange stories, observations and speculation, creating a narrative that intertwines grief, memory and everyday life with the unfolding mystery.

What You'll Discover

• A mystery centred on the unexplained death of a young woman.
• A portrait of a changing Bengaluru neighbourhood at the millennium.
• Characters connected through family, community and shared routines.
• The significance of the thirteen-day mourning period in the narrative.
• Everyday conversations that shape the search for truth.
• The interplay of memory, grief and community life.

Perfect For

• Readers of literary fiction.
• Fans of character-driven mystery novels.
• Readers interested in contemporary Indian fiction.
• Those who enjoy stories centred on community and human relationships.

Why You'll Love This Book

Water Days: A Novel combines an intimate community portrait with an unfolding mystery, exploring how ordinary lives are transformed by loss and the search for understanding. Sundar Sarukkai's novel offers a thoughtful reflection on memory, relationships and the stories that emerge in the wake of tragedy.