Title: The Witch in the Peepul Tree
Author: Arefa Tehsin
Publisher: HarperCollins India (2023)
Genre: Contemporary Literature, Mystery
Pages: 344
ISBN-13: 978-9356992405
‘The Witch in the Peepul Tree’ is a genre-bending tale that unfolds within the course of a single day. It immerses readers in a captivating world of mystery and darkness. It sets in the enchanting city of Udaipur, Rajasthan.
The story begins with the introduction of an old peepul tree. It unravels the labyrinthine plot, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and plunging readers into a shadowy world, they never knew existed.
From the pov
of Ahad, Dada Bhai’s son, ‘From the jharokha on the front wall above the main
entrance, he could see the peepul tree outside. Every time his aunts visited,
they swore that the jeevti dakkan-the living witch-danced under it, long after
the lamps were dimmed and the night was dark as a clogged drain. They said she
was invisible during the day, hanging upside down in the tree. Perhaps she lay
suspended right now, giving him a secret, saw- toothed smile.’
As the book delves
deeper into the enigma of the murder, eventually more characters come into spotlight.
From a young Bhil Nathu to the attractive night soil worker Parijat, each
individual adds another layer to the story, keeping readers guessing at their identities. Also, skillful characterization creates an atmosphere of constant
tension, making every twist and turn all the more exhilarating.
‘Parijat
preferred to walk through the brass utensils and clothing shops, not those of
grains and spices. The upper castes didn't want her ilk close to their uncooked
fare. She was polluted by birth. Her proximity could foul their food. Her
touch, their frail purity.’
Udaipur, with its rich history and mystical aura, serves as the perfect backdrop for this dark tale . On Makar Sankranti in the year 1950, the lifeless body of Sanaz, a sixteen-year-old, is found in her father Dada Bhai's residence in Bohrawadi. The setting itself becomes a character, its hidden secrets seep into the narrative, adding an air of palpable mystery and vivid descriptions transport the reader through the winding lanes and history.
What sets ‘The
Witch in the Peepul Tree’ apart is its ability to seamlessly blend multiple
genres. It traverses the realms of mystery and psychological thriller, often
leaving readers uncertain of what lies around the next corner. The narrative
employs a gripping structure, jumping between characters and perspectives,
further heightening the suspense. For instance,
the widow Sugra, who rolls a rosary and wishes for the jeevti dakkan to be her
secret ally.
‘She swore
she had seen the jeevti dakkan there on a few nights; a dark shadow flitting
purposefully between the branches when everyone was drunk on sleep. Sugra
wanted to make her acquaintance—a powerful, supernatural ally who was not weighed
down by human morality.’
As the day
progresses, the story takes a chilling turn, delving into the darker recesses
of human nature and the price one must pay for unearthing secrets.
‘Tapan's path
of progression was laid clearly before him, he had to reach the top. And now,
Dada Bhai's daughter Sanaz's mysterious murder presented him an opportunity to
rise in the ranks in this new epoch, which was the offspring of the forced
marriage of the princely states into a nation.’ The author's atmospheric prose evokes
a sense of impending doom.
In conclusion, ‘The Witch in the Peepul Tree’ is an enthralling journey, with its immersive setting, and intriguing characters. If this genre interests you, then it can definitely be your next weekend read.
About the Author
Arefa Tehsin is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, both for children and adults, and contributes columns and features (to various national dailies and magazines like The Indian Express, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Outlook, The Wire and The Times of India. Her books have been taken up as textbooks and supplementary readers in schools in India and Sri Lanka.
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