Benares and Dili: A Tale of Two Cities
And the year is 1938
Dear Reader,
They say, ‘Do not judge a book by its cover’. But it’s the cover that drew my attention!
And when the blurb indicated that the story begins on Ganga ghat where an old sadhu shares a tale of friendship, faith and courage with a group of students, my curiosity soared. The story has its wings across a diverse geographical realm, starting from Benares to Dilli, Lahore and finally, Cambridge. Fine illustrations depicting Kashi and Allahabad added to the allure of this book when I skimmed through the pages.
Indeed, there seemed to be a seed of mystery somewhere.
Fairy tales aren’t real; we know that.
Yet this multi-generational saga derives a certain ‘fairy tale’ vibe as it traverses amidst the seismic shifts of India’s turbulent historical narrative pertaining to the Partition.
The story takes us through few unexpected reality checks that serve as turning points to keep the plot moving. What seemed as the unravelling of a family drama swiftly moved into a historical saga that navigated the relentless violence and horrors of Partition that devastated Hindus and Muslims on both sides.
The references to historic personalities such as Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and the zeal for social reforms; how the movement for women’s education served to usher in an era of impactful change, are noteworthy.
The story reflects the grim reality of how Partition shattered precious lives. Of course, many aspects remain unspoken such as the violence that children and women had to endure. Perhaps the horrors need no articulation as it destroys our sense of humanity.
When the story plunged into heartbreaking moments that are synonymous with the horrors of Partition, it reminds us of the devastating losses and shattered dreams that thousands of Indians were forced to endure.
A logical question arises: Couldn’t India’s leaders who led the freedom struggle have played a more constructive role in keeping the nation together?
The story does not explore the political nuances as it journeys through India, Pakistan and the UK; finds a way to heal broken fragments of the past and at this point, there can be reasonable room for dissent in a reader’s mind.
Reading this story raises certain questions; few choices the men made had a huge impact on the women in their families. Yet they do not choose to discuss or consult or share it with them, treating them with secrecy that is difficult to justify, especially when the same gentlemen support women’s education and empowerment in society.
While it is difficult to probe social biases of a historical era now, the truth is that it was a tumultous period when India had witnessed horrific violence. For the same reason, the story needed a compelling push to outline why the protagonists made certain choice that conflict with their historical past.
A tiny part of me wished desperately that the story itself had provided soft cues as if to signal what those dark days had hidden from the pages of Indian history itself.
More than anything, this is a novel about the power of hope, love and endurance; of hidden truths, unexpected reunions and the resilience to overcome trauma.
A Reading Corner | Substack Newsletters
One of the things I enjoy about Substack is that I get to pick and read from a variety of newsletters that leave a delectable spell, just the way a delicious dessert does.
And so here are some of my favourite picks!
Julia Matusik’s newsletter is an ode to delicious food. And her love for blueberries……sigh! You’ve got to read it!
Authenticity shines through Lucy Fleetwood’s newsletter. Her post brims with beautiful prose and pearls of wisdom.
The following words Lucy Fleetwood wrote are etched in my heart and I can close my eyes and imagine the sunrise:
“Another beautiful sunrise where leafless trees look like fireworks, silhouetted. The sun rising across wet red-tiled roofs, and the tree out front starting to lose it’s leaves now. The frost of yesterday has given way to rain, and the air is milder. Worms fall asleep under the surface of the soil. Seagulls swoop through air currents high in the sky, while wood pigeons and magpies rest on rooftops. Soon, people along the road who have children, will be filling their windows with festive images made of coloured tissue paper, lit up by lamplights behind, and others will string lights through their hedges. As evening draws in, and skies turn dark, our road will become a Christmas wonderland. I’ve been thinking about how much has happened since last Christmas, in the world and in my own life; perhaps in yours.”
Abigal Mann’s newsletter touches a poignant chord as she explores the tricky terrain of motherhood and witchery.
Few things I loved about her ‘witchery’ post:
The way that women use magic in literature is a reflection of the way we navigate every day life.
Parenting a small person involves a lot of incessant Googling in the early days, but when that’s done with, the magic creeps in.
So often, it’s living in the limbo-land between sleep and consciousness, reading prophecy into dreams.
She is my Horcrux. Part of my silly little soul is in her body and as I watch her, I constantly learn about myself.
Now, if anyone asked me what my secret dream is, the truth is that I always dreamt of having a little bookshop.
Katie Clapham is living her dream and I am glued to her ‘Receipt from the Bookshop’ posts where she shares lovely snippets of her life in a bookshop!
Don’t miss this one, especially if your life’s dream is to curl up into the warm embrace of books.
Charlotte Heather’s newsletter feels like golden sunshine. There is a warmth, an amazing positivity and beauty in her posts that I find irresistible.
It’s no rocket science, really - for me, it’s about how you can write the simplest things and make others smile. It’s about how precious moments in daily life make you feel.
Beach vibes
Summers are around the corner. It’s going to be hotter than one can possibly imagine. And its a good time to start planning beach vacations! Here’s a fabulous sunset from the Indian Ocean in Perth!
When we talk about beaches in India, Goa and Kerala are often in the spotlight. However, my personal favourite remains RK Beach, a quiet and picturesque spot in Visakhapatnam.
I was delighted to read in the newspaper that a floating bridge has been made accessible to tourists who visit RK Beach. This would give visitors a closer view and enhance their beach experience. I wish I could go and check it out:)
Few years ago, I had enjoyed a delightful holiday with my family, basking in gorgeous sunsets that dazzled us! We went on long walks, enjoyed being outdoors and exploring the vibrant city that exudes an old world charm. The best part about being in Vizag is that you get to experience old world charm amidst stunning scenic beauty. It’s almost dream-like to bask in the sunrise and sunset in Vizag. Vivid colours spring to life and the skyscape is a visual treat to behold.
In other news……
Indians are known for their love for cooking. But the most recent data related to household spending brings in some surprising information. The total household expense on processed food and commute to work has surged significantly across the country. Turns out that more Indians are spending less on preparing home cooked food. Instead they are opting for ready-to-cook meals and processed food. However, it has been found that households in India are spending more money on fruits, perhaps indicating fitness-conscious choices of snacking less and having fresh fruits instead.
last thing
For writers and readers: In Amitav Ghosh’s compelling novel, ‘The Hungry Tide’, it reads: ‘How do you lose a word? Does it vanish into your memory, like an old toy in a cupboard and lie hidden in the cobwebs and dust, waiting to be cleaned out or discovered?’
If you missed this link from last week: New Delhi World Book Fair 2024
What a rich post, and thank you for your kind words and mention of my writing.