Krishnakali- By shivani is one of the best Hindi novels I have read. An absolute masterpiece. It travails through an emancipated woman’s life, her thoughts & dreams, her continuous quest to find her roots, so pure.
The story is named after Krishnakali- the central character of the Novel- a modern girl- but with deep respect & enshrined in Indian culture & roots. The love & fondness she has for Prabir, she almost knew her fate..read it umpteenth times in my young days..tragic that the book isn’t available in US libraries..Would recommend this book to everyone who loves Hindi literary books.
Some other book I would recommend is Gunahon ka devta by Dharmveer Bharti & Gora by Rabindranath Tagore. Shivani uses a lot of details of Kumaoon & Garhwaal while narrating her stories- its due to her background of living in those areas. Her other novels like Chaudah Fere too are very good, though not as great as Krishnakali. Wish she had written more novels for we readers to enjoy. Her short stories too makes great readings.