Phunkar (फुंकर) by Prof. Dr. Vinayak Nanawre

"Phunkar (फुंकर)" by Prof. Dr. Vinayak Nanawre - A bouquet for debut. 

This book is published by Rashmi book agency in 2018 and has 183 pages.

This book is a collection of short stories and author makes a debut in literary world through this book. 

In 'Phunkar (फुंकर)', 4 year old Manu unwittingly  gives her grandfather a great lesson. 

'Guinea pig (गिनी पिग)' is the story of an elderly lady, who is diagnosed with cancer, and her attempts at different treatments. 

'Shodh' tells us a story of a family trip. However, the real story happens in last 10 lines. 

'Ani Sikandar rajya karayche rahunach gela! (आणि सिकंदर राज्य करायचे राहूनच गेला)' is the story of a person who works and succeeds and works and succeeds and works and keeps working but forgets to live. 

'Bandh (बांध)' is the story of two cousins who are at loggerheads over the boundary between their farms. Where will it lead?

'Navas (नवस)' is a story of a family who promises something to God in lieu of surviving a difficult situation. Will it stop?

'Adla badal (आदला बदल)' is the story of Principal Mrs. Deshpande and her teachings to keep emotion away and being on time. Will there be an exception?

'Lakshmicha tukda (लक्ष्मीचा तुकडा)' is a story of a poor large family who have great difficulty in making ends meet. 

'Bajar (बाजार)' is a beautiful description of the weekly market,  it's sights and sounds seen from the eyes of a small girl. 

'Patlancha tidha (पाटलांचे तिढा)' is the story of two wealthy farmers who are playing the game of one up manship during the marriage of their children. How will it end?

'Yogayog (योगायोग)' is a story of two strangers who met in a bus. Will the encounter end with the journey?

'Akher Sisiphus jinkla (अखेर सिसिफस जिंकला)' is the story of a peon who struggles to make the ends meet through marriage of six daughters and education of the seventh son. Will he win?

'Missed call (मिस्ड काॅल)' is the story of a mother who had toiled hard to educate her son. What does she expect from him?

'Maza pahila wadhdiwas (माझा पहिला वाढदिवस)' is the story of affection of students and teachers towards a principal who is about to retire.

Some noteworthy observations:

• Last sentence of 'Navas' automatically brings smile to the readers face.
• The title of 'Sikandar...' appears grammatically incorrect.
• Bajar is beautiful description that makes us visualize the market.
• Missed call is emotional.  
• Guinea pig is very good. 

The stories are simple. So simple that, at the end  of it, you wonder how author created a story out of what we see everyday. Its this ability to observe that makes a good author. Nanavre sir has demonstrated the ability.

By comparing Aba with Sisyphus, author demonstrates his knowledge of Greek mythology. By comparing the protagonist with Alexander he also demonstrates his knowledge of history. The stories range from rural to urban backgrounds, poor to wealthy, happy to sad. In short it's a bouquet. A beautiful bouquet. 

Author resided in and around Phaltan and was a professor. Obviously the stories happen in and around Phaltan and a number of stories are related to school and college i.e. education field. Author has leveraged his home turf for his debut successfully. 

With this promising debut author has heightened expectations for next book. Now the responsibility resides with Nanavre sir to give us more.

Why did I read this book? Recommended by my father and Kaku. 

What I didn't like?  One or two stories are too simple.

What did I like? Observation, variety, potential.

Recommend reading.

Disclosure: Author is a family friend.