Pratik : Pratik's South Asia Special Double Issue Highlight : Bangladeshi scholar Shahnaz Ameer on 10 Best Books that Transport You to South Asia

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

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.

Shahnaz Ameer is a Lecturer at the Department of English, East West University, Bangladesh. She has completed her graduation and post-graduation from the Department of English, University of Dhaka. She is passionate about creative writing and research. Her research interests include women and gender studies, psychoanalytic criticism, postmodernism, cultural studies, and magic realism.

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