In Anita Desai’s novel “In Custody,” the timid Hindi teacher Deven Sharma encounters a remarkable opportunity when his bold childhood friend Murad hires him to interview their mutual idol, the renowned and reclusive Urdu poet Nur Shahjahanabadi.

The story begins with Murad surprising Deven with a visit in Mirpore, the unremarkable town near Delhi where Deven resides and teaches. During their lunch, they lament the decline of Urdu, once the language of India’s literary elite, now overshadowed by Hindi.

Despite teaching Hindi for practical reasons, Deven’s true passion lies in Urdu, especially the work of Nur. Despite some lingering resentment over unpaid articles, Deven eagerly agrees to interview Nur for Murad’s magazine, Awaaz.

On another occasion, Deven travels to Delhi to meet Murad, who, instead of taking him directly to Nur, leads him on a circuitous route through the city. Eventually, they arrive at Nur’s dilapidated house in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market.

Deven is taken aback by Nur’s eccentric behavior and the chaotic atmosphere surrounding him, including a swarm of visitors seeking favors and reciting their own mediocre poetry. Despite this, Deven finds himself drawn to Nur’s recitation of a poem that resonates with his own family history.

As Deven’s interactions with Nur continue, he witnesses the poet’s decline into drunkenness and familial discord. Meanwhile, Murad manipulates Deven into a scheme to record Nur’s poetry, leading to further complications and betrayals. Deven’s personal life in Mirpore is also fraught with tension, particularly with his wife Sarla, whose dissatisfaction mirrors his own frustrations.

Despite setbacks and disillusionment, Deven persists in his efforts to capture Nur’s legacy. With the help of others, including Siddiqui and Safiya, he navigates the complexities of recording Nur’s poetry, though the process is marred by incompetence and deceit. Ultimately, Deven’s journey forces him to confront his own limitations and the harsh realities of his chosen path.

As the novel unfolds, themes of friendship, betrayal, and artistic integrity intertwine with Deven’s quest for meaning and redemption. Despite the challenges he faces, Deven’s determination to preserve Nur’s legacy underscores the enduring power of art and the human spirit.