Hachette India

The Helicopters Are Down

Indira Parthasarathy

Andy Sundaresan

Caught in a sorry vortex of self-denial and what-could-have-been, the discontented government official wants to do the impossible – be young again. Having decided that his marriage is sparkless and his spouse unremarkable, he decides to woo a much younger theatre actress who vaguely resembles his witty and opinionated ex. As Amirtham gives into self-aggrandizing visions – glamorizing a humdrum life coming apart at the seams – he flails and fails in the tangles of his own making.

In this deeply insightful novel, both endearing and heartbreaking, urban Delhi of early seventies is brought alive by Tamil literary icon, Sahitya Akademi fellow and Padma Shri-awardee Indira Parthasarathy. Hilarious, reflective and wise, this moving tale expertly courses through unsettling remorse, directionless passion, and the fragile business of loving and being loved.

Indira Parthasarathy

Indira Parthasarathy(lovingly known as Ee. Paa.) is the pen name of Dr Ranganathan Parthasarathy. He was born on 10 July 1930 in a traditional Iyengar family in Chennai. Over his long standing, illustrious career, he has written multiple short stories, plays and novels in Tamil, which have been translated into several Indian and international languages. Carving a characteristic literary space for himself, Mr Parthasarathy writes about complicated and cerebral urban characters who feel profoundly and analyse deeply. He has won several awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi and Saraswati Samman. In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour in the country.