The Map and the Scissors by Amit Majmudar | Book Review

Title: The Map and the Scissors
Author: Amit Majmudar
Publisher: HarperCollins In
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: ‎ 978-9354894640
Paperback: 344

‘Because nothing is purely Hindu or purely Muslim in India. Nothing is pure anywhere, least of all Gujarati, with its Sanskrit and Farsi and Arabic and English loan words – its own words – all tumbling into meaning. Gujarati is a merchant’s linguistic coin collection from around the world, a farmer’s language hardy with lexical weeds.’

The Maps and the Scissors by Amit Majmudar, is a historical fiction that portrays the life of two core pillars of Indian politics during the times of late British Raj. In his book, author captures the existence of Gandhi and Jinnah – two lawyers, dreams a same future for our country in discordant ways. The premise is not restricted to their political perceptions only, but leads to personal lives as well.  

Among many political movements, one can get a clear reflection of differences originated between Congress and Muslim League. A demand for separate country, and an enigmatic emotion on the thought of two-nation theory. I found some familiar characters as Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Pater, Liaquat Ali Khan, Kasturba, Fatima and many more.  

‘It is not the first time or the last that he will go to jail. At first, Kasturba was scared for him, but his letters came back curiously untroubled. The prison was not pleasant, but the South Africans whites, no matter how much they hated him, feared their subjugated dark races too much to torture to kill him. They did not dare find out what tens of thousands of non-violent Indians would do if the one man who preached non-violence died by violence.’

These characters strengthen the storyline that is woven from the balanced knowledge of historical incidents. Adding to this, the novel depicts how they deal with odds in their private lives. It is the most fascinated part of the book, ‘The name Gandhiji is a drug. They are already beyond any sense of their own vulnerability. When the rifles pop a few times, the reports are barely audible against so many voices. No one falls. They really are invulnerable. The name really is a talisman, protecting them against all threats, justifying all actions, cleansing all guilt.’

Then, there is a moment, when Jawahar Lal Nehru looks troubled, and shares the conflicted thoughts running in his heart, — ‘I’m ashamed that it bears my last name. its terms ensure us more sluggishness from the British. They’ll never leave, at this rate. And even worse, it wants Dominion’s status for India. Do we realize “Dominion” comes from the word for “Lordship”? why should the British be our lords, for even a second after we gain independence? Is that our goal?

Despite well-researched facts, at some places, one might not agree with author’s perception towards particular leaders, but it is writer's imagination and perspective that keeps evolving. There is a word called ‘Creative Freedom’ and reader needs to respect that.  

Above everything else, I loved the prose style – such visual writing. I read a book around political figures in well-crafted passages, it is more like a dream for a reader who is interested in literature regarding to partition and late colonial period.

 

Here, I’m sharing an excerpt from the book to get an idea about the book:

‘His lips are moving now. ‘Sare Jahan se achcha Hindostan hamara..’ Better than all the world, this Hindustan of ours...

What a lovely tune, thinks Gandhi. Someday they will ask me what our national anthem should be, and I may well choose this song. When was it written? 1904? Just a year before the British tried to divide us all by diving Bengal, that failed colonial experiment: riots in the street, everyone at each other’s throats.

Many will expect Tagore to compose something, or Sarojini, but they would do it in Bangla. This song is in Hindustani, and almost everyone in India understands a little Hindustani.’

 

Synopsis:

Two intense, inflexible personalities duel over a question that will decide the fate of millions: one nation-or two?

Jinnah, the consummate, ruthlessly analytical gentleman in a tailored suit, starts out skeptical of those who come to his door proposing a 'Land of the Pure', but ends up founding exactly such a country. Gandhi, the religious visionary in homespun khadi, experiments with Truth in his quest for one India-only to witness, in anguish, the bloody birth of two nations.

The Map and the Scissors is a novel about the epic origin story of modern South Asia, brought to life by two London-educated lawyers, mirror-image rivals who dreamt the same.

 

 About the Author

Amit Majmudar is of five critically acclaimed novels, four collections of award-winning , a translation of the Bhagavad Gita with , as well as a forthcoming memoir and a three-volume retelling of the Mahabharata. The former Poet Laureate of Ohio as well as a diagnostic and nuclear radiologist, he lives in Westerville, Ohio, with his wife and three.

Reach him at: Twitter | Amazon

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GULZAR's TERE BINA ZINDAGI SE...

 

गुलज़ार के लफ्ज़ खामोशी से बिंधे हैं, यही संगीत है।

तेरे बिना ज़िंदगी से। उनका अहम गीत। जब से समझ बढ़ी, याद नहीं कभी इसे शुरू से अंत तक सुन पाई हूँ। ये गीत जगह मांगता है अपनी पूरी जगह। जीवन लग जाता है अपने भीतर उस जगह को तराशने में जहां इस गीत को बैठाया जा सके, पोसा जा सके। एक अजीब चुप्पी घिर आती है, जब गुलज़ार लिखते हैं ‘काश ऐसा हो, तेरे दामन में, सर झुका के हम, रोते रहें.. रोते रहें।

गीत के दृश्य में संजीव और सुचित्रा जिस तरह एक दूसरे को ना देखते हुए भी देखते हैं, नज़रों में फ़ैली बेतरतीब उदासी, उनके अकेलेपन की गवाह है। जैसे एक कठिन समय में लिया गया निर्णय लम्बे विलाप की राह तय कर आया हो। उम्र भर की थकान भरी हो सीने में। दूसरे के हिस्से का प्यार ढोना अब मुमकिन नहीं। क्या सौंप दें दूसरे को बेहिचक? दूरियों के बावजूद रिश्ते की तपिश बाकी है? इस दफ़ा नेह या दुःख नहीं, अहम् को परे रख, पछतावा भी साझा कर सकें।

वे दोनों चाँद में अपने बिखरे रिश्ते की गहराई ढूंढते हैं, दीवारों पर अरबी आयात में अपनी उम्र, याकि ढूंढते हैं खुद को ही इनके बीच कहीं। एक सटीक शब्द, जो लौटा ले जाएं उन्हें, उसी जगह छोड़ आए.. जहां साथ मिल एक सपना देखा होगा, जो अधूरा है, अधूरा ही रहे शायद।

क्या अकेलेपन से कोई मन इस क़दर भी थका होगा जो मंजिल की जगह अपने साथी के कदमों संग अनजान रास्ते की चाहना रखता हो।

‘तुम ग़र साथ हो मंज़िलों की कमी तो नहीं’। इतना अरसा होने के बाद भी हम इस गीत की गिरफ़्त में है। यह गुलज़ार साब का जादू है, उनके होने का अर्थ भी। ♥️

The Curse of Kuldhara by Richa Mukherjee | Book Review

Title: The Curse of Kuldhara
Author: Richa Mukherjee
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Pages: 330

‘Prachand turned his placid gaze on the inquisitive Yatish, ‘can’t you see it? All this while, I was reluctant as I didn’t know of a problem. Whatever would I do on a film set? But now I have found a mystery to solve. It’s a curse of Kuldhara!’    

The Curse of Kuldhara by Richa Mukherjee, is a compelling crime-thriller. I am intrigued by its elements, an unspoken dread, a cursed village, and haunted atmosphere. All of these components transport you into mysterious world.

Basically, the story revolves around Prachand Tripathi, our protagonist who runs a detective agency with his wife. Amidst the underlying tension of work, this couple receives an unexpected assignment, a movie-offer presented by a high-profile politician. Prachand takes it as a - once in a lifetime opportunity - and accepts it immediately, not even being bothered by the quaint history of that place, the place where the movie being made, place that is abandoned and cursed. With all the twists and turns, the story leads to an unexpected killing. Is there some evil power behind this murder?

Author states ‘About two hundred years ago, Kuldhara in particular was inhabited by the Paliwal Brahmins, a devout and proud lot who believed in living simply and peacefully. Our ancestors are correct in saying that too much of a good thing attracts the evil eye. The same misfortune befell the poor Paliwal Brahmins. Their troubles came in the form of an evil diwan who laid his unchaste eyes on the daughter of the village chief. They bagged and pleaded with him to let her be. However, he unleashed his vengeance on them by pressurizing them financially and giving them an ultimatum to hand her over. As it was the matter of honour, they chose to abandon the village overnight.’

What I really like about the book is the vibes around the village. The author depicts the place in such an exquisite manner, it feels as you visited that place in real, as ‘Naveli Haveli, in its dilapidated state, was unlike the other better – preserved vestiges of Rajasthan’s history, but it shared a common feature with them – its walls. They were a medley of brick, sandstone, marble, wood, plaster and granite that insulated the interiors from the onslaught of the winds both during the summer and the winter.’   

No spoilers, but the character of an old lady is really absorbing. I loved how author added some colloquial words, Dash of wit and humorous dialogues, it truly enhances the palette of its narrative structure.

Although, at some places, I feel mixed-bag emotions for the characters, the struggle to connect to the core of the story was there. To wait to 14th chapter to come up to the place, the book actually based on. I really wish it could have been fleshed out well. But on the whole, I liked the book, a gripping crime-mystery. It definitely deserves more appreciation.

Despite being a part of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd. Series, this book stands alone. I have not read the previous part, but it worked for me. This page-turner thriller can be your weekend companion.  

 

Synopsis

What can possibly go wrong when fame and fortune come knocking? Plenty! We return to the charming and colourful lanes of Gwaltoli to revisit Prachand Tripathi, our favourite desi detective and owner of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd. While he has progressed from locating lost pets and garments to problems of gravitas, their moderate fame doesn't impress wife and CFO Vidya Tripathi who still complains about wasted potential and the tepid life they lead. As if on cue, an unusual but promising proposal comes their way, one they simply cannot refuse. It's an invitation to oversee a film shoot based on their lives, whisking them away to the resplendent deserts of Rajasthan. What follows is an unbelievable and spine-chilling adventure that will drag them through a morass of inexplicable events, dangerous secrets and a cursed, abandoned village that wreaks havoc on the living and dead alike.

 

About the Author

Richa is an ex-journalist and advertising professional turned award winning writer, poet and blogger, contributing to several online platforms. Her first novel I Didn't Expect to be Expecting was a humorous take on the rollercoaster ride of pregnancy and her second, Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd, a comedic thriller was picked up for a screen adaptation. Excess Baggage is her third book and is also headed to the big screen. She has authored anthologies, e-singles and audiobooks.

Reach her at: Twitter | Amazon

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