Journalism of Courage
Jugal Mody’s debut novel Toke deals with individual perceptions of life and facing them in a light manner
The novel begins with a hangover so serious that Lord Vishnu appears to Nikhil,the protagonist who is a habitual smoker of pot,to help him save the Earth from turning undead. Mody adds a plane crash,bizarre mass murders,two hot Japanese women and lots of non-consensual kissing to the story of an episode in Nikhil’s life. I used to read a lot of fiction and watch comedy movies like Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle,Pineapple Express and Cheech And Chong Up In Smoke and more. I started writing since I was in college. My work is influenced by a cult phenomena that includes stoner movies,zombie classics and other such adventures, says Mody,who has taken inspiration from books like Will Clarkes Lord Vishnus Love Handles and Warren Ellis’ Crooked Little Vein for his debut work. The author in his twenties,was recently in the city for the launch of his book.
The title of the book comes from the central theme,dope. Toke means the act of drawing a puff a cigarette or pipe containing marijuana,or any other type of dope. It was an obvious choice when it came to giving my book a title. I read a quote by American comedian Katt Williams somewhere that read ‘Just hit the blunt one time and see if it dont change your perception of whats important in your life’. This,in some way,has influenced the story as well as the title of the book, laughs Mody who is an enthusiastic shutterbug when he is not busy penning down stories. Media of all kinds interest me very much. Be it photography or writing,it is all about your own perception of the world that surrounds you, he adds.
