The novel explores the problems of the Dalits, caste-centred social inequalities and economic disparities with the focus on the student community. How it suffers is told grippingly through the story woven around the four protagonists — Vijay, Madhu, Naffe Singh, and Rekha.
The story also gives insights into the various aspects of student life, student unions, and concomitant hardships. The different kinds of humiliation and abuse, as also the miseries, the Dalits are subjected to come across sharply, and the images they produce leave great impact.
That one needs enormous encourage to stand by one's conviction is conveyed tellingly through the characterisation of Vijay.Madhu, initially swayed by western fashions and addictions, evolves into a woman of noble ideals and strong character, thanks to her association with Vijay, with whom she falls in love. Eventually, the story is taken to the logical conclusion of ‘good defeating the evil', with the narrow-minded dogmatic persons turning over a new leaf and becoming broadminded. The message is: “Mukti maarg” or the way to liberation is ‘positive change.' The translated version makes for easy reading, a testimony to Santha Sundari's proficiency in the art.
