Immerse yourself in diverse narratives in celebration of International Mother Language Day! Explore a family steeped in history with “Hangwoman,” grapple with societal pressures in “One Part Woman,” defy norms with “Lifting the Veil,” and journey across cultures with “Tejo Tungabhadra.” Finally, lose yourself in the golden age of Bengal with “Those Days.” These powerful books promise journeys of love, loss, tradition, and self-discovery.
Hangwoman by K R Meera
The Grddha Mullick family boasts a 400-year lineage predating Christ, steeped in tales of historical events. In the present, Chetna, the youngest member, becomes India’s first female executioner. Amidst the glare of television cameras and her own reality show, Chetna breaks free from her domineering father and manipulative lover, evolving into a charismatic performer. Meera’s narrative weaves an epic and perverse coming-of-age tale, posing questions about love, morality, and the allure of fame as Chetna faces her first execution.
One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan
In “One Part Woman,” Perumal Murugan crafts a poignant portrait of childlessness in rural India. Kali and Ponna’s marriage, despite love and intimacy, crumbles under the societal pressure for progeny. Their desperation takes them on a pilgrimage of rituals and prayers, culminating in a night of sanctioned promiscuity at the temple festival. This gamble tests their love and exposes the harsh realities of societal expectations. Murugan’s unflinching prose lays bare the emotional turmoil and social complexities, making this a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the burden of tradition.
Lifting The Veil by Ismat Chughati
In “Lifting the Veil,” Ismat Chughtai shatters norms, weaving a tapestry of short stories that confront societal hypocrisy. Her vibrant prose, laced with wit and irreverence, lays bare the complexities of female experience in mid-20th century India. From defiant women rejecting marriage to explore freedom, to forbidden love transcending religious divides, Chughtai’s characters challenge authority and ignite dialogues about sexuality, tradition, and individuality. Though her frankness courted controversy, “Lifting the Veil” remains a powerful testament to her courage and literary brilliance, leaving an enduring mark on feminist discourse and Urdu literature.
Tejo Tungabhadra by Vasudhendra
Vasudhendra’s “Tejo Tungabhadra” sweeps you across continents and centuries, intertwining the fates of two couples. Bella and Gabriel, fleeing persecution in Lisbon, find their destinies linked to Hampamma and Keshava, caught in the throes of tradition in Vijayanagara. With poetic prose, Vasudhendra paints vivid scenes of love, loss, and resilience against a backdrop of historical turmoil. Though spanning vast distances, the narrative flows seamlessly, highlighting the interconnectedness of cultures and the enduring human spirit.
Those Days by Sunil Gangopadhyay
This sweeping novel will take your breath away. Set in the golden age of Bengaliana, the truly golden days when Bengal was blessed with some incredible people. Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusudhan Dutta, Dwarkanath Tagore and so many more. It is also about the immensely wealthy Singha and Mukherjee families, and the intimacy that grows between them. Ganganarayan Singha’s love for Bindubasini, the widowed daughter of the Mukherjees, flounders on the rocks of orthodoxy even as his zamindar father, Ramkamal, finds happiness in the arms of the courtesan, Kamala Sundari. Bimbabati, Ramkamal’s wife, is left to cope with her loneliness. A central theme of the novel is the manner in which the feudal aristocracy, sunk in ritual and pleasure, slowly awakens to its social obligations. A amazing book that I think you’ll enjoy.Â
