Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Book Review: Sharatchand Ki Sarvshrestha Kahaniyan


‘Sharatchand Ki Sarvshrestha Kahaniyan’ (Hindi)
Raja Pocket Books
ISBN: 81-7604-212-9

This is the first Sharatchand book that I have read so far and what a mesmerizing read it has been! The power of pen, the art of painting human characters as real as one can get, the science of understanding basic human relationships so well, and the enigma of writing stories of the common man; Sharatchand is a gem of a writer!

His first story in this collection, titled “Darp Churn’ (Breaking of her ego) is an extremely touching story of a husband who has been shunned and neglected by her wife only because he can’t earn enough money up to her expectations. It is a story of consistent sacrifices that he makes, of immense pain and suffering that he endures, only to give up on her in the end. The story presents to us another side of Indian women’s psyche which is full of material greed, excessive pride and utter insensitiveness. Second story, called “Raam Ki Sumati” is an equally touching story revolving around sentiments and relationships between a young man and her bhabhi whom he loved as her mother. Perhaps the inquisitive eyes of the neighborhood and their relatives couldn’t tolerate their affection and peace and they set to destroy all that was built over the years. Both these stories are not sad-ending stories but ones which presents hope and give out positive messages.

The book also has some of the author’s personal memoires, like “Balya-Smriti” and ‘Deoghar Ki Smritiyan”. The last story in this collection, called “Lathaiton Ki Kahani” is of completely different taste but as captivating as any other book.

Finishing this book, I am thirstier than before. I hope to read many other books from the author in the coming days.


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