"Hilal (हिलाल)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Rajan Khan ( राजन खान ). This book is published by Majestic prakashan (मॅजेस्टिक प्रकाशन) in 1999 and has 224 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 8 short stories.
'Bangi (बांगी)' is the story of a very old bangi (a man designated to give azan or call for namaz in a mosque). This old man can not help remembering his youth and his past when he is on death bed.
'Mannat (मन्नत)' is the story of Rahimat chachi, a Muslim lady who desperately wants to marry off her daughters, getting past marriageable age, and her prayers (mannat) to various pirs (पीर) and babas.
'Sawal (सवाल)' is the story of what happens when a fakir (फकीर) threatens to die by injuring himself unless the village, facing severe draught, pays him 101 rupees.
In 'Eid (ईद)' Ashabee somehow manages to make the ends meet with 8 children and a good for nothing drunkard husband to feed. She wants to celebrate Eid. On the eve of eid there is a burglary. What happens next?
In 'Murid (मुरीद)' a jinde wali (जिंदे वली) comes to stay in Haji Pir's house. The wali hates women, but a young and beautiful girl sins by mistakenly appearing before him. She wants to become his Murid (disciple). Can she? Will wali accept her?
In 'Piwlat lugde malkat pishwi (पिवळट लुगडं मळकट पिशवी)' a small boy waits everyday for his mother to return and does not understand why his grandmother curses her and why his father beats him when drunk.
'Ibadat (ईबादत)' is the story of Buddhemiya, a desire less (स्थितप्रज्ञ) mujawar (मुजावर) of a dargah, who has a unique way of waking Muslims during the month of Ramzan. Why does he lack desire or any feeling?
'Alama (अलमा)' an old lady's son, Daval, is behaving strangely and doesn't speak. He is said to be cursed (झपाटलेला) by a pir (पीर). She takes him to Dargah of Khakshavali (खाकशावली) using all her savings. Will he be cured?
What is the USP of this book? Well all the stories are of Muslim people in Maharashtra. All the references, characters and background is Muslim. Given that there is not much Muslim literature in Marathi, this book comes as a welcome change. Though author has depicted Muslim world, it's not a communal book. The same or similar stories could have happened in any other religion in India.
Speciality of these stories is that they touch your heart. You feel empathy for the characters. Your heart goes out for them. They move you. They are all stories of poor Muslim people who are affected by poverty and religion. All, except one, have sad ending. Author has also emphasized the way poor people are deceived using the name of God by the God men.
All the eight stories are good, but I liked Eid, Murid and Alma the most.
All these stories were previously published in various Diwali magazines. This book is a reprint of the stories. It's a good idea to publish collection as a book because magazines have a short shelf life and the stories could be forgotten with time if not preserved as a book.
Don't miss it. A must read.
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