Rekhache Kahi (रेखाचे काही) by Rekha Apte (रेखा आपटे)

"Rekhache Kahi (रेखाचे काही)" a Marathi book by Rekha Apte (रेखा आपटे). This book is privately published by Alhad Apte in 2016 and has 104 pages.

This book is a collection of literature by the author and was privately published as part of celebration of her sixtieth birthday. This was a surprise gift to her by her family.

'Mi he karu shaken? (मी हे करु शकेन?)' is about realization of a young boy that there is no work assigned to only males or only females. With nuclear families everyone should contribute.

'Umed (उमेद)' is the story of a physically fit lady's recovery from unexpected paralysis attack. Does it impact only physically?

'Aplyala Kay karaychay? (आपल्याला काय करायचंय?)' is the story of a lady who is criticized for her choice of son in law. What is her opinion about son in law of her friend?

'Agatik (अगतिक)' is story of hunger on the background of riots where the poor does not loose compassion. 

In 'Merit (मेरिट)' Sharda is under immense pressure to make it to the merit list. Pressure of expectations. Can she?

'Katha eka kathechi (कथा एका कथेची)' is just that. Story of a housewife writing a story. 

'Kaku (काकू)' is the story of a wealthy lady who goes from riches to rags. Can she get contentment after that?

'Nisargane nirmilela Ek chamatkar: Acupressure (निसर्गाने निर्मिलेला एक चमत्कार : अॅक्युप्रेशर)' is an article about acupressure therapy. 

In 'Wadi (वाडी)' author becomes nostalgic about the house and village of her grand parents. The good old and carefree days. Don't we all?

In 'Tekdimagche jangal (टेकडीमागचे जंगल)' a small girl takes the challenge to climb a tree. How will she get down? The story appeared a bit hurried in the second half. 

'Adhunik Valmiki (अधुनिक वाल्मिकी)' is a word sketch of Babu, narrated by Ramchandra Harshe and penned (शब्दांकन) by the author. 

'Vivahsanstha (विवाहसंस्था)' is an article that analyzes the root cause of increase in failed marriages from authors point of view. Author puts forth her views very effectively in just two pages. 

'Apt Apte (आप्त आपटे)' is speech she gave on the occasion of publishing of family history of all Apte's. 

'Malaygiri (मलयगिरी)' is author's diary. A longish account of her observations of construction of a large building as viewed from her balcony. The observations are full of curiosity and empathy towards the labor.

'Pushpak (पुष्पक)' is humorous account of a couple's trip to moon and what happens in the space ship. This one is translated from original Hindi piece by G. R. Chakravarty. 

'Mala lawkar ghari jaychay (मला लवकर घरी जायचंय)' is a tongue in cheek account, a monologue full of contradictions, of a working lady returning to her sick daughter from work. 

'Kashasathi? (कशासाठी)' is a philosophical article about creation where author asks 53 questions in two pages. I found some repetition in this article. 

'Shapmukta (शापमुक्त)' is the story of a mother who's son is in a vegetative state and she wants to release him from this curse. How?

'Garditli manuski (गर्दितील माणुसकी)' is the story of a pregnant lady who travels in a train during merciless rush hours. Is there humanity in this rush?

'360 ansh (३६० अंश)' is a perceptive story of how various people look at one incident differently, interpret the meaning and form their own opinion. 

'Satha uttarachi kahani (साठी उत्तराची कहाणी)' is a very small but powerful tale that tells us the importance of empathy. 

'Dohale (डोहाळे)' is a very specific kind of poem sung by a would be mother about her expected baby conveying her vision about future of her child. Here author has Dohale for APJ Abdul Kalam, AR Rehman, Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Jijabai. 

 Every story and article contains a commentary by her loving husband giving background of it and it's approximate time period to readers. Photos from her life adorn the book and give it a personal touch. Some of the literature was previously published, some not. 

The literature was penned over a period of 20 odd years and the change in narration style, names of characters and language; with the passage of time can be made out. But author has managed to retain the freshness over this long period.

The literature consists of short stories, articles, speech, diary entries, translation, poems etc. The variety is impressive for an amature writer. 

All the tales narrated in first person are narrated by a lady, a married lady. The book, in general is a perspective of a middle aged - middle class lady.  It can be expected to see the author narrate the story through a male or child in her next book. That also goes for the point of view.

Author has addressed social issues like poverty, mercy killing, plight of labor, humanity and empathy etc on one hand and incidents that happen in our everyday life, gossiping and humor on the other. The stories can be read with family. In fact I read a number of stories to my daughter. 

A number of stories and articles have long titles. Some titles are questions. Some titles were actually given by the publisher as author had not allocated title to the item. 

I liked Aplyala Kay karaychay, Agatik, Mala lawkar ghari jaychay, Shapmukta, 360 ansh and Satha uttarachi kahani the most.

Size of this book is B5. It's a bit difficult to handle due to this unconventional size. Would I call this book a fiction, non fiction or short story collection? Na! It's a bouquet of her literature.

Those who know the author will like it. Those who don't know her will also like it, but may not get a chance to read it as the book is not commercially available. 

Disclosure: Author is a very close relative.