Indian writing in English has a charm of its own. English as a language was imposed upon India during the British rule. But this imposition had a positive resultant. As it’s because of this India was introduced to the Liberal thoughts, Ideologies and world philosophy.
Bequest of Wings is a collection of Indian Short Stories edited by Margaret Paul Joseph. The title is taken from Emily Dickinson’s poem. The introduction to the book gives us a clear idea of the choice of ten short stories of which five are written by men and five by women.
I will now brief you on the 10 stories..
1. The Antidote : R. K. Narayan
R. K. Narayan is a popular South Indian writer. The word Antidote means a remedy for counteracting the effects of poison or disease. The story is about an actor who is slightly apprehensive to enact a death scene on his 49th Birthday. His conversation with the director and his approach to handle the situation adds depicts humour in the most unique way.
2. Steel Hawk: Bhabani Bhattacharya
A vivid translation from vernacular, this story gives a beautiful insight into the minds of people when they came across technology. Narrated by a cart-man Bishen, the story goes on to show the feelings of awe both in the heart of young and old. Bishen’s thoughtfulness to describe a steel hawk to the old grandma, makes the story a lot more interesting.
3. Blame the Army: Manohar Malgonkar
Taken from Four Graves and other stories, Blame the Army can be termed as an experience for readers. A new job especially the one away from city, is always a challenge. Shamnath’s way of establishing an impactful identity forms the crust of the story.
4. A Job Well Done: Ruskin Bond
Bond delights the readers by presenting the amusing story of a little boy and his experience with his step father who is a Major. The gardener Dhukhi, who is also the care taker of the boy, helps him handle the difficulty put forth by his step father’s presence. Read this to find the dual meaning behind the word Well in the title.
5. Anath Babu’s Terror : Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray is one among a few Indians to be recognised internationally for his creative genius. His interest in supernatural is well depicted in this story which is from The Penguin Book of Indian Ghost Stories, edited by Ruskin Bond. The narrator’s experience of meeting Anath Babu and the adventure that follows keep the readers hooked to the book. A story with an intriguing plot, gives an interesting read.
6. The Tattered Blanket: Kamala Das
This story reminded me of the popular Hindi short story Chief ki Dawat by Bhisham Sahani. The situation presented here is often faced by aged parents neglected by their children. What makes it different is ignorance of the mother who is old and suffering from alzheimer. The Tattered Blanket is taken from Padmavathi the Harlot and Other Stories.
7. Pigeons at Daybreak : Anita Desai
This story is quite relevant in present scenario where we are experiencing power cuts often. Though a feminist writer, in this story she takes up a rather sensitive subject. She focuses on the impact of age on relationships, how it becomes difficult for a partner to understand the other, or to behave patiently with the other by enduring everything that comes with age. It is often said that love grows with time so does understanding, this story takes us to that helpless stage of life when we have to behave patiently as we have no choice.
8. I Want : Shashi Deshpande
Taken from Miracle and Other Stories , I Want talks about the reality of marriage, match-fixing and everything that comes along with it. It is the story of Alka, though she wants to express herself, her thoughts, emotions, she fails to do so. For the society emotions aren’t of any value and significance. It is both a weird and real situation we get to see in this story where in the parents are more than willing to get their daughter married only because the daughter is 27.
9. The Meeting : Shama Futehally
Like the story I Want, The Meeting takes up a similar subject but in a different culture. It is the story of Sakina, a girl who is 29.. The story presents the well known fact that a girl without an identity is crushed by the societal pressure. And it is family who is to be blamed for not giving their daughter that scope to have, build an identity.
10. Teachers’ Day: Nisha Da Cunha
Unlike its title, this short story is about a day in a teacher’s life. It deals with the reality of the profession. How everyday teachers come across disinterested students and how they have to tolerate everything that comes their way. The story focuses on the routine aspect in a teacher’s life, her hardships and the actual truth of living a life of a teacher.
The book has a balanced approach covering diverse themes, the characters are real, someone who might be around you or it might be you.. Reading this has made me think form a new perspective, the outlook I developed in the process of reading is something I will cherish for life. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Happy Reading!~
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