Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss - Rajeev Balasubramanyam (Book)

Title: Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss

Author: Rajeev Balasubramanyam

Date Published: March 26, 2019

Publisher: The Dial Press

Category: Literary Fiction / Humorous Fiction

Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss follows the story of Professor Chandra, a brilliant but emotionally stunted Cambridge economist who narrowly misses winning the Nobel Prize. After a bicycle accident forces him to slow down, Chandra is compelled to confront the realities of his strained relationships—with his children, his ex-wife, and even himself. His journey takes him from England to California, where he attends a mindfulness retreat that challenges everything he believes about success, happiness, and personal fulfillment.

The novel blends humor with introspection as Chandra grapples with the unfamiliar world of yoga, meditation, and spiritual awakening. Despite his initial cynicism, he begins to peel back layers of pride and emotional distance, leading to a tender and often hilarious transformation. The people he meets, and the experiences he endures, push him to reassess not only his career but also the deeper meaning of his life.

Rajeev Balasubramanyam crafts a character who is both frustrating and lovable, using Chandra’s intellectual arrogance and vulnerability to explore the universal quest for connection and peace. The novel is a satire of academia and modern wellness culture, yet it maintains a sincere emotional core. At its heart, Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss is a story about rediscovery—of family, of purpose, and of the self.