"Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील). This edition of the book is published by Mehta Publishing House (मेहता पब्लिशिंग हाऊस) in 2013 (first edition 1964) and has 148 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of short stories.
'Inga (इंगा)' is the story of politics in a rural highschool. It's the tug of war between Anna (Chairman) and Mr. Kamire (Principal).
'Hyoch Maza Shilon (ह्योच माझा शिलोन)' is the story of Nama tailor who wants his father in-law to gift him a radio, but he won't. What will Nama do?
In 'Dohale (डोहाळे)', Nargis likes to eat a variety of food but her mother in-law, a miser, won't allow her. How can she make it happen?
In 'Don kami pandav (दोन कमी पांडव)', three friends have affair with same girl at the same time. She is then married to another man in another village. What will the three do?
'Dhula (धुळा)' is the story of a loyal but unintelligent servant who will do anything for his master.
In 'Tol bhairav (टोळ भैरव)' Manuhar wants to have an affair with a school teacher but she already has a boy friend. What will happen?
In 'Kombdi (कोंबडी)' four policeman are bored to their bones while guarding a railway station and insipid food. They want chicken, but how?
In 'Potdukhi (पोटदुखी)', Mhadu Khot wins a substantial word puzzle prize. But many in the village cannot digest it. What do they do?
In 'Padarmod (पदरमोड)' a fourty year old peasant marries a girl after long celibacy. She seems to be young. When will he consummate his marriage?
In 'Vilayti pik (विलायती पीक)' Digambarpant decides to grow kobi, a foreign vegetable. He grows a big crop. What happens next?
On 'Gom (गोम)' an old man is distressed because his son in law beats his daughter. He implements a fantastic plan. Will the plan succeed?
'Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी)' is the story of Tatoba and Sakhu who's son is very very ill, or is he...?
'Bhujang (भुजंग)' is the story of Janai who's husband is useless and has developed abnormal appetite. She sees a cobra in her field frequently. Will it bite?
'Uun (ऊन)' is the story of a person, who has lost his wife and has little say in a joint family, and his unadulterated love for his son.
Like all Shankar Patil stories, these stories also have a rural backdrop. Marathi language used in the book is rural Marathi. Most stories happen in one imaginary village near Kolhapur. The stories cover various aspects of village life ranging from village politics, scandals, illicit affairs, individual issues, cheating, lack of education, hunger etc. When not much happens in a small village, even minor and seemingly unimportant things become important and interesting. Villagers get something to chew on for a while.
Of these stories Don kami pandav, Kombdi, Potdukhi and Vilayti pik were the better ones but Bhujang & Uun were the best. I remember having seen a Marathi movie based on story Bhujang starring Nilu Phule (निळू फुले). Reference of some of these stories also appear in Shankar Patil's other books.
Although some of the stories handle serious issues like domestic violence and death, Shankar Patil has presented the stories in a lighter vein. He has inclined towards hilarity rather than philosophy. This is his preferred genre.
This book contains fourteen short stories. Average length of each story is about ten to eleven pages.
Read if you like rural stories and rural Marathi.
