Mystery Meets Memory: Sarukkai’s ‘Water Days’ Revisits 1990s Bengaluru

Image Source: The Indian Express

Philosopher and author Sundar Sarukkai has released his second novel, Water Days, a nostalgic whodunnit set in Mathikere Extension, Bengaluru, during the late 1990s. The story draws heavily from Sarukkai’s own time living in the neighborhood, blending personal memory with fiction to explore community life, secrets, and the quiet drama of everyday existence.

Key Highlights:

Setting: Mathikere Extension, late 1990s—an era of water scarcity, shared taps, and neighborhood gossip
Plot Trigger: The mysterious death of a young girl sparks suspicion and speculation among residents
Narrative Style: A mix of realism and introspection, with characters shaped by Sarukkai’s lived experiences
Cultural Snapshot: Captures the rhythms of a Bengaluru locality before the tech boom transformed the city
Launch Event: Held at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements as part of the City Scripts literature festival

Sarukkai described the book’s title as a nod to the “water days” when women gathered at public taps, exchanging stories while waiting their turn. These moments, he said, were rich with emotion, rumor, and community bonding—elements that form the heart of the novel.

Known for his work in the philosophy of science and ethics, Sarukkai brings a thoughtful lens to fiction, offering readers a layered look at urban life, memory, and the quiet tensions that shape neighborhoods.

Source: Deccan Herald, City Scripts Festival, Indian Institute for Human Settlements updates