Our moon has blood clots is an endless journey of kashmiri brahmins, who ones belonged to the river Jhelum and are trying hard to keep the Kashmiri alive in them. They don’t get home at the end of day because their home is in Kashmir. And, one such Kashmiri Brahmin Rahul Pandita has dared to share his experiences of the exodus of the Kashmiri Brahmins.
Kashmir has largely been the subject of scenic beauty and terrorism instead of tourism. Newspapers have given less space to the struggle of Kashmiri Brahmins so did the primetime debates. The available works on this subject has either spread the propaganda or misled the readers. But, this book tells about the glorious history, lifestyle, painful nights and fearful days the Kashmir Pandits.
It begins with the mention of tradition, history and the childhood of the author. Later on, it talks about the cricket matches where Kashmiri public goes in a clear divide in Hindustani and Pakistani cricket fans. The hooting for Wasim Akram’s fast bowling valued down the sixes of Sunil Gawaskar. It shares the nationalistic feeling of a kid, who storms out from the hideout to confront his anti-national milkman. In his memoir, the author has talked about the Hindu Muslim harmony of Kashmir, which prevailed for centuries despite external interferences. But in 1990 something burned the bridge. In a far town Islamabad, Benjeer Bhutto delivered her frightening speech that goes as har gaon se ek hi awaaj buland hogi..azadi..azadi..azadi har ek school se ek hi awaaj buland hogi..azadi..azad..azadi. This speech took a giant leap and armed gazis begin pouring in Kashmir. It ended up in public massacres and large scale displacement of Brahmins in the valley.
The government rehabilitation centers ran out of order and kids grew up with scars in their hearts. Till date, the issue of exodus is as real as it was twenty four years back. The governments either right wing or the left have offered rehabilitation to Kashmiri Pandits but could not assure the safety of their honour and integrity.
If I would have to say about the language of the book in one line then I will say that Our Moon Has Blood Clots is a poem. It’s a poem of distress, unrest and sustenance. The author, who experienced the exodus as a kid is now the associate editor in The Hindu. I can’t ever get over few lines of the book like Vickey ko bhar lo Dickey me Apna Kaam Karega. I have one more, sabse khatarnak hota hai murda shanty se bhar jana,na hona tadap sab kuch sahan kar jana, ghar se nikalna kaam par aur kaam se lautkar ghar aana, sabse khatarnak hota hai humare sapnon ka mar jana.
Experience as an Avid Reader: I fall in love with the book because it’s like listening the story of a tragic event from your elder brother. I find his writing close to realism, where most of senior journalists lack. He doesn’t preach and put the facts clearly. It’s not just about this book. At times, I felt like weeping, enraging and reconciling what stands ahead everything. This book clears the confusion of falling in sides because there is none. During the refuge in Jammu, the author comes in contact of RSS people. They asked him to unite against a certain community for vengeance. But then the writer made a different choice and now is an acclaimed author, writer and columnist.
50 Words Verdict: For people, who want to read the true history of exodus, it is a must read. The author has shared his memories of troubled childhood, sense of patriotism and real example of making right choice that makes you the person who you want to be.
Hues of A Soul 
I’ve heard high praise for this book from so many book bloggers, I must pick it up one of these days. Lovely review!
As I said he doesn’t preach and is like big brother sharing his experience of a tragic event. As a journalist, he is best. I can read this book for many times. I Hope that he will be writing another book.
So you must read this one…
As I said it’s a personal account but makes the reader aware with the Kashmir crisis with a touch of realism