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Sunday, February 15, 2004 |
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Sunday, February 15, 2004 |
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Modern Hindi Short Stories SHORT stories have invariably remained more popular in India than in the West where the novel finds greater acceptance. A reason for it is that the major Indian writers have stuck to the basics of short-story writing. Their narratives have a beginning, middle and an end. Further, their stories generally have a good plot and do not trail off vaguely. Writers like R.K. Narayan, Ruskin Bond, Satyajit Ray and Khushwant Singh have gained wide popularity with the shorter version of fiction. There have also been scores of talented Hindi writers whose short sketches have been missed out by the English readers. The book is an anthology of short stories by modern Hindi writers. Jai Rattan, a veteran in translation, has selected and translated the stories in this collection. One of the most surprising aspects of this anthology is that despite the presence of a galaxy of celebrated writers, it is the relatively little known writers who steal the show. A Bridge Miles Long by Rajee Seth is a treat to read. The story highlights the predicament of a miserly father who grudgingly brings an air-cooler for his son who has just returned from abroad. Written in a humorous vein, it dexterously brings out the mindset of the lower middle class. Borrowed Sunshine by Mehrunnisa Parvez also makes for delightful reading. Its plot has been woven around a retired man whose wife and children discard him. After a year or so, one day, he is thrilled to find himself having again become the apple of their eyes. His euphoria, however, is short lived, for he soon discovers their avaricious intent. It is his pension and not he they want! The Relationship by Manzoor Ahtesham makes for unusual reading. The story moves in a dream-like fashion. On the surface, it describes a gruesome murder, but the undercurrents highlight the sordid affairs of the city and its inhabitants. The Wild Lizard by Uday Singh is a gem. Penned in a unique style with an eye for detail, it narrates the travails of a father who meets his death in tragic-comic circumstances. O Haramzade by Bhisham Sahni has a nostalgic feel to it. The story is a moving account of an NRI who pines for his good old days back home in Jalandhar. The 27 stories selected by the translator cater to all tastes. Though most of these have been written in a serious vein, one also comes across humorous, nostalgic and shocking tales. Rendered in flawless translation, the prose is very readable. The introduction by Bhisham Sahni is a brilliant essay on Hindi writers. Although written in 1989 when Orient Longman first published this book, his words still hold the truth. He maintains that, by and large, it is the Hindi writer who portrays the lower middle class authentically, for his own roots are embedded in that society. The immense talent several of these unfamiliar writers exhibit in their writings is bound to overwhelm the readers. A short introduction of each author has been given in the book. Admirers of such shorter version of fiction are sure to find quality substance to savour in this volume. |
