BOOKS
SHAHNAZ AMEER
10 Best Books that
Transport You to South Asia
South Asia proudly nurtures a rich history with diverse
cultures and traditions. The literary reservoir of the region is equally
bountiful. The literature of this subcontinent flourished in the Mughal era and
continued to thrive under the British regime. The Partition of 1947, the
Liberation War of 1971, and consecutive wars among the nations heavily
influenced it. Many such works have transcended to reach a global audience with
many pieces written in or translated into English. Such works prove to be a strong
critique of British colonialism, racism, class distinction, corruption,
misogyny, taboos, superstitions, and many others. At the same time, they
showcase the beauty and power of writing by allowing readers to travel through
the realms of multifarious cultures of this subcontinent. Here is a list of the
ten most captivating literary works about South Asia that, for various reasons,
have been considered the best published.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
Choker Bali
Rabindranath
Tagore, the first non-European to win a Nobel Prize in Literature, explores
love, feminism, and sexuality in nineteenth and twentieth century Bengal
through the character of Binodini in Choker Bali. Tagore’s novel is
modern and progressive as it talks about the desires of a young widow. Soon
after her husband’s death, Binodini becomes envious of a happily married couple
– Mahendra and Asha. Although the protagonist feels superior to Asha due to her
education and maturity, her plain white saree stands in contrast with the
colourful life of Asha – creating a further rift between them. Binodini in no
time finds herself tempting Mahendra as her intellectual exchanges with Bihar
propel the story. The book delves into the psychological aspects of widows who
are inhumanly deprived of any joy in life. This novel has a radical reach even
to the readers of the 21st century where women are often deprived of their
essential rights.
MIRZA GHALIB
Deewan-e-Ghalib
One of the foremost poets in Urdu, Mirza Ghalib is a pioneer in this field. Deewan-e-Ghalib is a collection of more than 200 of his ghazals written in Rekhta. The poems are written in simple language to make it easy for commoners to read. Ghalib’s skillful combination of his words and thoughts with this form of art exalts his chosen collection of these poems to a great height. His poems create a dialogue between problems in life and his philosophy. Although the rhyme scheme has been followed religiously, it does not seem to be exacted on purpose; it rather enhances the poetic essence of the verses making them sonorous to the ears and appealing to the heart. His ghazals paved the way by broadening the artistic possibilities of the genre and influenced many poets to follow the form in their verses.
V. S. NAIPAUL
The Indian Trilogy
V. S. Naipaul’s
much acclaimed Indian Trilogy that includes An Area of Darkness, India: A
Wounded Civilization, and India: A Million Mutinies Now also makes
it to the list. Naipaul is a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature (2001).
In the first book, the novelist portrays the picture of India in the 1960s as
he seems to undergo culture shock while traveling to his ancestral home since
the country is ridden with superstitions, caste system, poverty, bureaucracy,
and corruption. The second book was written during his third visit to the
country. Using the lens of history, he sees India as a wounded nation due to
the atrocities of a foreign power on the land for hundreds of years and marks
Hindu nationalism as a hindrance in the reawakening of the country. In the
third volume, the sojourner provides hope to the readers despite the deeply
rooted problems of the country. One can have closer look at the common people
of different regions of India and their perspectives and know about their views
on the issues of the country. Naipaul’s semi-autobiographical trilogy reveals
his ambivert feelings towards India and provides insight into the country’s
history, ideology, and development.
KAZI NAZRUL ISLAM
The Poetry of Kazi
Nazrul Islam
The glorious time for Bangla Literature witnessed both
Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore writing in the same era. Though
mostly known for his poems, Nazrul offered many short stories, novels, and
music compositions to the literary world. He stood as an emblem of bravery
against the tyrants in both his character and poetry which earned him the name
of a “rebel poet”. His revolutionary poems were instrumental in India’s War of
Independence and inspired the freedom fighters in the Bangladesh Liberation
War. His most famous poem is “The Rebel”.
PAUL THEROUX
The Great Railway
Bazaar
Paul Theroux’s travelogue The Great Railway Bazaar
recounts his four-month journey across Europe, Asia, and Africa. He travels to
London, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Burma, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and many
other places. His book vividly portrays the multifarious culture of South Asia
filled with details of the places he visits by train and the people he
encounters during the journey. Despite being critical of the facilities, food,
culture, ideology, and beliefs, he provides a distinct glimpse of the cities he
travels to. His journey through India is the core of the book. The narrative of
India and Pakistan takes the readers on an enjoyable journey. With his gift of
storytelling, Theroux derives charm from every place he visits and keeps
monotony at bay as every episode feels unique.
ROKEYA SAKHAWAT HOSSAIN
Sultana’s Dream
Sultana’s Dream is a futuristic feministic Utopia
penned by Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain. The protagonist of the book finds herself
accompanied by Sara while strolling through the beautiful Ladyland. Set in
contrast to the patriarchal world in India, this newly discovered place sees
women roaming around freely without any obligations of veil as men are confined
inside ‘mardanas’. Women make the best use of their scientific knowledge and
hold administrative positions in the region. Through her work, Hossain argues
against the existence of colonialism, patriarchy, monarchy, and militarism and
advocates gender equality, women empowerment, and environmentalism.
SAADAT HASAN MANTO
The Collected Stories
The first volume
of Nasreen Rehman’s translation of short stories of Saadat Hasan Manto was
published in May 2022. It comprises Manto’s fifty-four stories and two essays
written between 1937 and 1948 during his stay in Bombay and Poona. The
introduction to his life by Rehman at the beginning of the volume helps the
readers to connect with his thoughts while reading the stories, making them
more insightful. Each of the stories,
being unique in its own ways, evokes multiple emotions and provides a sense of
completeness towards the end. Not only are these stories historically
significant but they also shed light on the fault lines of partition and loss
of freedom, love, and humanity in such gruesome times. Manto’s stories reflect
his courageous nature and establish his position as a visionary.
FAKIR LALON SHAH
Lalon Geeti
Fakir Lalon Shah
composed thousands of songs in Bengali in his lifetime. Although he could
neither read or write, his oral compositions have survived the test of time and
have become equally popular among both rural and urban communities. The
compositions reflect his spirituality and philosophy which values human beings
irrespective of caste, creed, race, and religion. His work also transcends the
gender binaries to see women as equals. They were against religious
superficialities, blind superstitions, and conflicts with the potential to
divide communities. Lalon’s canonical songs have immortalized him as he
continues to inspire people even in the 21st Century.
PAUL SCOTT
The Jewel in the Crown
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The Jewel in the Crown is the first book of the
four-volume series “The Raj Quartet” by Scott towards the end of British rule
in India. Daphne Manners, an Englishwoman, has just lost her family and comes
to India to live with her closest living family member. During her stay, she
encounters Ronald Merrick, a racist police superintendent, who is smitten by
her. She later becomes friends with Hari Kumar, an Indian who grew up in
England. However, one incident turns their lives upside down as they witness
the ills of colonialism. This book proves to be a strong critique of racism,
class distinction, colonialism, and prevalent prejudice in India under the
British regime.
FRANKA FREI
Periode ist politisch
Franka Frei, in her book, Periode ist politisch,
manages to convey many facts about a still “sensitive topic” in an entertaining
way. Since menstruation or periods are still considered taboo, Frei tried to
break it. The book not only provides important scientific information about
menstruation in general but also brings in people’s perspectives from all
around the world. The German menstrual activist traveled to South Asia to meet
women from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The author could demonstrate
how women starting from homemakers in Germany to factory workers in garments
industries in Bangladesh are related in terms of how menstruation has been used
and politicized to marginalize them. This book is a must-read for anyone
menstruating or not.
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