Synopsis :
Ruhiton Kurmi has been in jail for seven years. Once a notorious Naxalite, he is now a withered shell; a man broken by torture, racked with fevers and sores. The only way he can endure his life is by shutting out the past. But when Ruhiton is moved to a better jail and eventually freed, memories return to haunt him. He looks back upon his youth, his marriage, his home in the Terai foothills—and he remembers too, the friends he has killed, the revolutionary colleagues he made, and the ideals he once believed in.
The book begins with a poem "Behind the scenes" describing the soldiers who fought in the epic battle at Kurukshetra . And with that the moos was set. A story of Ruhiton told be himself, this book progresses with a detail of the present time and snatches of his past. Even if the incident look random, each memory helps you understand what made Ruhiton the person he is. This was the first time I read anything on the Naxalite movement. Being from a worker's viewpoint and understanding, you get to know of the conditions and the faith at grassroots. its more heart breaking too since its at this level, that people get most affected when the movement failed. the story not only traces the naxalite movement or the ideas behind it but also thoughts and dreams of the people living in those areas at that time. It draws your attention on the effect it has on a person, ot just physically, but also emotionally. Later when Ruhiton is diagnosed with leprosy, the author has amazingly portrayed a patient's fears and doubts as well as the treatment he gets from rest of the world, even after he is cured. there is a tone of understanding one's fate and forgiveness for all, in the book. It is a story of life as it is for most people. Loneliness , sadness , dreams and hopes are just phases we all go through. What we get in the end is what we truly want for us. Ruhiton always dreamed and fought for freedom and that alone drives his life.
A heartfelt book, one which I am glad i came across.
Thanks to Random House for the lovely translation and sending it across to me for review.
I am soon gonna pick the other translations in this series and read. Never realized before, Indian fiction has so much to offer.
Ratings : 5/5
Other Details :
ISBN : 9788184001945
Pub Date : 23 Dec 2011
Binding : Paperback
Price : 250
Pages : 152
I had read Sankar's Chowringhee translated and I had exactly the same reaction...I didn't know that Indian fiction(especially the translated ones) could be so rich...nice review :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Swarnali :)
ReplyDeleteit sounds like something i should not miss. will try n get hold of this one. :)
ReplyDelete@arpita .. you in delhi right ? you can take this from me :)
ReplyDelete@nimue: yeah, i am! it would be great if u could lend it to me. thank u!! :)
ReplyDeleteanytime !! it will cost you just one coffee with me ;)
ReplyDelete@nimue: i bet it will be an absolute pleasure. :) we should make plans some time.
ReplyDeleteNimue, would you mind if I borrow it from u after Arpita read it (I can take it from her)?? Its something I definitely wanna read (and also wont have to pay for the coffee)!! :P
ReplyDeletehow mean :P cnt even pay for a coffee for sake of such a nice book .. the book's heart is broken ;)
ReplyDeleteIts with Arpita already.. u can take from her and read :)