The book is written in Hindi. The title of the book translated in English would be “The Greatest Stories of Jai Shankar Prasad. Prasad is one of the greatest writers in Hindi literature. Before this short story collection, I had read only Historical Dramas by him. I was quite impressed with his knowledge and research on some little known phases of Indian history. I thought of trying out something different and chose to read short story collection by him. The collection has 27 stories. I was expecting historical stories but these are mostly social.
In the beginning of the book there is an insightful piece about Jai Shankar Prasad and his contribution to Hindi literature by Mr. Suresh Salil.
I have given English translation of the titles, which I could translate. The others are untranslable for me, at least.
PREMISES OF THE 27 STORIES WITH COMMENTARY
1. Gram (Village)
A straight forward story about nice people staying nice even in adverse situation. A man gets help from these nice people but realises something sinister about past. There is nice picture of contemporary village life.
2. Gudad Saain
A father thinks all Saadhus (ascetics) are thieves and looters. But his son shows they are not. Frankly, I felt it to be too juvenile.
3. Gudadi mein Laal
An old woman never leaves her pride even after becoming penniless. I don’t understand glamourising pride and sticking to it at the cost of life.
4. Sharanagat (Refugee)
This story is about a British couple during the Sepoy Mutiny or our first war of independence. The family takes refuge at an Indian aristocratic family. The writer has depicted the revolutionaries as the villains in this story, which of course I did not like.
5. Rasiya Baalam (Darling)
A juvenile story of a star crossed lovers, where one gives life for other even without knowing them properly.
6. Madan-Mrinalini (name of a man and woman respectively)
Again, another star-crossed lover pair. A poor widow’s son becomes very rich and then leaves everything for love. One moment he never thinks about his mother though.
7. Sikandar ki Shapath (Oath of Alexandar)
It is about some forgotten Indians who fought with Alexandar’s army in present Afghanistan. The plot is nothing spectacular. I wonder about the historical accuracy of this story.
8. Jahnanaaraa (Name of a Mughal princess)
The story depicts last days of Moghul emperor Shahazaan, imprisoned by his own son. The only support system he has is his unmarried and nun like daughter Jahanaaraa.
9. Khandahar ki Lipi (Script of Ruins)
A surreal love story, which I liked actually.
10. Paap ki Parajay (Defeat of Sin)
The beginning of the story is promising. It depicts the rise of desire inside a normal man looking at a woman in an isolated place. The desire rises to the level where it forces him to be an animal. But he gets out of the enchantment in time. So far so good. But story steps out of this special region and continues with the man getting punishment, and he repents etc. etc.
11. Sahayog (Cooperation)
A complex relationship between husband and wife is depicted in the story. A abusive husband realises his mistakes about turning his wife into a maid.
12. Pratidhwani (Echo)
A story about fall of an aristocratic family, which sees abrupt change in events and nature of characters.
13. Akaash Deep
This is an adventurous stories where two outlaws meet and fall in love. After getting revenge and then freedom the girl wants to settle down but the pirate can’t settle. The girl’s character changes abruptly. That throws me off.
14. Aandhi (storm)
The story is about complexities of human relationships. The bondage of relationship gives us real pleasure or leaving out this world leading an ascetic life gives us real pleasure?
15. Chudiwali (the bangle seller)
A comparison between lives of mistress and wife in the contemporary society is depicted in this story.
16. Bisati
Another tragic love story I had to tolerate.
17. Ghisu
A single woman has no place in our society. They have to be linked with a man as a daughter, sister, or wife. When that does not happen they have to face the society, especially the men of the society.
18. Chhota Jadugar (Junior Magician)
A heart wrenching story about a small child, which felt quite real.
19. Anbola (Untold)
A sad story of a poor young man trying to cling to his dignity.
20. Amit Smruti (eternal memory)
A tragedy back story remains immemorial for a man.
21. Biram-Chihn (comma)
This is about the restrictions, the so called untouchable castes used face for entering temple.
22. Brat-Bhang (breaking fast)
This is a historical story. Relationship issues are depicted nicely in historical backdrop.
23. Puraskar (prize)
This is about this poor farmer girl who can’t part ways with her agriculture land, no matter how much money she gets in exchange from her king. At the same time she can’t go against her king, even if she is in love with an enemy. The last part might reminds readers about the story of Amrapali.
24. Indrajaal
This is about the immortal love of two talented young people from gypsy tribe. I quite liked the story, which uses lots of mystical motifs.
25. Salim
A rift between religion and historical tradition for an Indian Muslim
26. Noori
Another tragic love story with political turmoil as backdrop
27. Gunda
It is supposed to be a story about a masculine man with a golden heart but I find it to be glorification of hyper masculinity.
MY TWO PENNIES
To sum up the collection, I would say most of the stories have love as the central theme. The recurring theme in many stories is how poor people are better than rich people. Writer has also written in many places about the bad practices of Hinduism. I loved the writer’s historical dramas but unfortunately I can’t say the same about the stories in this collection. Most of the stories are old fashioned and too run-of-the-mill. Although the stories might work for the readers who crave for simple straight forward nostalgic stuff (because I know I crave for the same sometime). Also written in chaste Sanskritised Hindi these stories would be ideal for Hindi literature students.
Musings 