Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, the top ranking philosopher and poet, is in the news for his 9 epical works, particularly, The Mahakaal Trilogy. His neo-mythological creation Lustus has been considered most dangerous literary invention of modern times. ‘Lustus: The Prince of Darkness’,[Book I] shows how Lustus, the Corporate of Evil, challenges gods in a hi-tech war in which he nearly defeats them. However Ma Durga, the goddess of Power, forces Lustus to seek a truce.
Dominion of Netherworld [Book II] provides a graphic spectacle of the Lustician Empire: establishment of a Lustus University from which literature and humanities have been banned; adoption of a constitution called Lustitution which seeks to legalize hatred and marriage, breeding misunderstanding, distrust and doubt. Gods find themselves gravely challenged by Lustus again, and in the fiercely fought battle of ballots, the angels lose their security deposits.
Finding that Evil was going to have the last laugh, Avi [the Lord of Destruction] comes into a great rage, and sets out in search of Lustus, but, to his surprise and shock, he finds him seated in the hearts of the people. So, he massacres a huge part of the population. Some angels question him saying, “There were good people also among them.” To which Avi replies: ‘What use are good people if they cannot counter evil?” Lustus is sent on a million years exile. The epic ends with a new world coming up after this Kaliyuga is over, giving indications of the Book III The Ultronic Age: The Celestial Reign.
‘Dominion of the Netherworld’, is a literary masterpiece and an embodiment of a universal political philosophy. It possesses all the qualities of an Epic: the structural engineering is grandiose, presentation of Scenes, Dialogues, embellished with Astral Interventions, with God Himself making an appearance, surpasses even Milton’s Paradise Lost. What makes “The Dominion Of Netherworld” a work of Demonic Apocalypse is the profane sovereignty of Lustus over humans, as this young energetic deputy of Satan, makes even God anxious about the domination of Evil over the hearts and minds of stupid humans, with the Apocalypse of Despair, becoming the soul-stirring Ultimate Truth!
The Kaleidoscopic change of Scenes reflects the Imagination of the author as a Syntagm of Imagination and the Power to vibrate it in words!
Just to have such a grand vision and vigour to undertake a poem of such epic proportions is a unique accomplishment in the 21st century with no match today. We have to look for comparisons in classical epic literature or to turn to today’s cinematic epics such as ‘Star Wars’, remarks Dr. Maja Herman Sekulic.
Dr. Anand stands tall like a literary colossus of modern times, well acknowledged by Franz Kafka Literary & Artistic Prize 2022 [Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic]. I have reviewed several of his works, and I feel that the Mahakaal Trilogy is a modern classic and it must reach the students of English literature. I believe Sahitya Akademy cannot find a better work for its Award in English Literature.
Dr. Navneet Kaur is a renowned critic and reviewer.