Aabhas ha (आभास हा) by Mandar Katre (मंदार कात्रे)

"Aabhas ha (आभास हा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Mandar Katre (मंदार कात्रे). This book is published by esahitya pratishthan in 2013 and has 54 pages. It's a collection of short stories.

'Aabhas ha (आभास हा)' is the story of Chandu and his new wife who comes home late, every day.

'Chakwa (चकवा)' is an unsuccessful love story.

'Don (डाॅन)' is a story based on abduction of children to Middle East for the camel races.

'Story... Salilchi (स्टोरी.... सलीलची)' tells us how Salil, fed up with his father, left India for America. Did he become happy?

'Venkat (वेंकट)' tells us about the urge of a boy for education.

'Bhulbhulaiya (भूलभुलैया)' is story of employment racket in Gulf where a lot is promised and bonded labour is the reality.

'Awliya (अवलिया)' is the story of Chandu who has a lot of varied experiences and who lives on his own terms.

Two stories have betrayal by ones love. All other stories are told in flash back. Five stories are related to Middle East employment. A number of stories have references of foreign countries.

The stories are very short. In many cases they are so short that readers wonder if it was a story? I believe that author should have been more liberal with words. The seed of some stories is good and they could have become good stories but became an abbreviated version.

NRI's in Gulf will relate to the stories. Some more effort and it could have become a good book.

Give it a miss.

For complete review, please visit:
Mandar's Book reviews
http://mandarbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Antarichya gudhgarbhi (अंतरीच्या गूढगर्भी) by Sankalp Abhale (संकल्प आभाळे)

"Antarichya gudhgarbhi (अंतरीच्या गूढगर्भी)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Sankalp Abhale (संकल्प आभाळे). This book is published by esahitya pratishthan in 2013 and has 43 pages.

Everyone has already one sorrow that can never be told to anyone. This book is the collection of stories of such internal sorrows.

'Balatkar (बलात्कार)' is a commentary on arranged marriage based on horoscope.
'Adarsha chor (आदर्श चोर)' is a small incident in the life of a person from his childhood when he was nobody.
'Affection (अफेक्शन)' explains the relationship of a motherless daughter with her father and rain.
'Pagar (पगार)' is story of a son giving treat to his mother upon getting his first salary.
In 'Pailteer (पैलतीर)' a man is about to travel in aeroplane for the first time that he dreamt as a child.
'Pati (पाटी)' is the story of a small girl who is trying to sell Java plums in pelting rain.
'Door nabhachya palyad (दूर नभाच्या पल्याड)' is about differentiating between true friendship and restrictiveness before it's too late.
'Werloren (वेर्लोरेन)' is a conflict between honesty and corruption.
In 'Shunya (शून्य)' two long lost friends meet again. She after conquering and losing everything and he after waiting for her all this time.
'Tuzyawina (तुझ्याविना)' is story of two estranged lovers and a tree they planted as a token of their love.
In 'Badal (बदल)' a man looks at the childhood of his son in comparison to his own.
In 'Duniyadari (दुनियादारी)' he and she met after a while to watch a movie when rain arrives.
In 'Maitra jeevanche (मैत्र जीवांचे)' a young girl decides to make a best friend out of her mom. Can she?

These are not really short stories, they are small incidents and very very short stories. It takes courage and confidence to maximize the meaning in minimum words. Author has done it decently well.

Some stories like Affection, Werloren nail the subject in very few words and are most effective whereas some stories choke for lack of page space and might have been more effective had they been a little longer.

Rain appears in 4-5 stories. A number of stories are about To and Ti (He and She). Many stories look back on life and repent for what was missed or not done. A number of stories are about friendship.

Not a must read.

Dwarakecha Suryasta (द्वारकेचा सूर्यास्त) by Anagha Prabhudesai (अनघा प्रभूदेसाई)

"Dwarakecha Suryasta (द्वारकेचा सूर्यास्त)" a Marathi book by Anagha Prabhudesai (अनघा प्रभूदेसाई). This book is published by diamond Publications in 2011 and has 108 pages. This book is a translation of original Gujrati book 'Sami sanjhana padchaya' by Dinkar Joshi

This book covers Krishna's life after Kurukshetra, mainly towards his death. It was a span of 36 years, after Kurukshetra, during which Krishna stayed in Dwarka.

Krishna (कृष्ण) is portrayed in this book as unfortunate. He doesn't get to feed off his mother's breast. He has to leave Gokul (गोकुळ) for good when Kans (कंस) called him, as not doing so would have meant destruction of Gokul. He kills Kans but has to leave Mathura (मथुरा) to avoid city's obliteration by Jarasandh's repeated attacks. Then he has to set up Dwarka as new capital. He was accused of stealing most precious gem Syamantak by Yadav's and none other than his brother and his wife. He was aware that due to Gandhari's curse ( Despite all unsuccessful efforts by Krishna to avoid war, Gandhari curses the destruction of Yadav clan for not stopping the war) his entire clan will become extinct before his own eyes and he even has to aid it happen.

This book covers a brief period before extinction of Yadav clan. Krishna tries his best to minimize the impact of the curse of Sage Kashyap (कश्यप), but Yadav's do not pay any heed to his efforts and keep traveling towards eventual end.

Marathi used in this book is very heavy. A lot of words are not used in day to day Marathi. It also means that the same must be true for the original Gujarati novel. But since it's a small book it doesn't become unpalatable.

The book contains lot of philosophy, a lot of advice and a journey towards end from the eyes of Krishna, the God who can not help extinction and death of his near and dear ones.

It's a different kind of book with preaching narration. Author has paid special attention to not make the story spicy.

Read if you don't mind heavy Marathi.

Zadwata (झाडवाटा) by Anand Yadav (आनंद यादव)

"Zadwata (झाडवाटा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Anand Yadav (आनंद यादव). This book is published by Mehta publishing house. This edition was published in 2013 (First edition 2000) and has 140 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 14 short stories.

'Eka dagdi gharacha itihas (एका दगडी घराचा इतिहास)' is the story of only two storied house in the village and how it's occupants amassed wealth and what happens later.
'Bakdyawarche jag (बाकड्यावरचे जग)' is not really a story. It's the thought process of a traveler who looks at various scenes from the bus he is traveling in.
'Nar (नर)' is the story of a male and his attempts to find a mate, a female (मादी). But not human, who's he?
'Nave walan (नवे वळण)' is portrait of a village that undergoes changes due to the prosperity and its side effects brought by the new sugar factory from the eyes of a school teacher.
In 'Anghul (आंघूळ)' Bhau works as labourer. He is very tired and wants to bathe with hot water in one winter. There are numerous obstacles that make the bath more and more alluring. Can he take bath?
'Haat (हात)' is the story of a body builder who has lost both his arms in an accident thereby making him dependent for life. What does he want to do with his non existent arms?
'Pot (पोट)' is the story of Dattu Sawkar who was once a very rich merchant and has now list everything after a paralysis stroke and works as a labourer.
In 'Jeevan (जीवन)' all the bank staff is looking forward to one and half day of weekend when news arrives that mother of the bank manager is dead. What about the weekend plans?
In 'Eka gaditil prawasi (एका गाडीतील प्रवासी)' author, who has lost his job and is traveling to Pune in a bus observes his co passengers.
In 'Duty (ड्यूटी)' Banda, a village police, who supports education of two nieces doesn't have money to pay for their school fees. Is there a God sent opportunity?
In 'Badli (बदली)' Mane guruji, a primary teacher in a village, is summoned to bring 30 persons to a sterilization camp. He could find none. What would be the price?
'Palvi ani paangal (पालवी आणि पानगळ)' is the story of Datta, who ran away from all his responsibilities and family 25 years ago. He comes back to his village. What does he find?
'Dushkalanantarcha paus (दुष्काळानंतरचा पाऊस)' is the story of varied reactions to rain after a draught of three years. But not all reactions are happy, why?
'Zadanchi raanwat (झाडांची रानवाट)' is the regret of Darumma, an old farmer, who worries that none of his progeny wants to look after the farm. He worries what will happen after his death?

All the stories have rural background and use rural Marathi. Of these stories I liked Bakdyawarche jag, Dushkalanantarcha paus and Duty.

In a number of stories author has used non living things like bunglow, house, road and village as characters in the stories. It's a USP of the book.

Two of the stories are not really stories but articles about changes, progress and the impact on human lives. And they are very well written.

OK book. Not a must read.

Hilal (हिलाल) by Rajan Khan ( राजन खान )

"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.

Mi Changez boltoy (मी चंगेझ बोलतोय) by Mohsin Hamid (मोहसीन हमीद)

"Mi Changez boltoy (मी चंगेझ बोलतोय)" by Mohsin Hamid (मोहसीन हमीद), translated in Marathi by Hemangi Naniwdekar (हेमांगी नानीवडेकर). This book is published by Penguin India in 2008 and has 186 pages.  Mohsin Hamid is a well known Pakistani writer. His original English novel is titled 'Reluctant fundamentalist'.

A Pakistani man meets an American in a restaurant in Lahore. They start talking or rather the Pakistani starts talking about a number of things.

What do they talk? Who is the Pakistani? Why does he want to talk?

This book highlights the transitions that happened in American view of Muslims after the demolition of twin towers and how it affected the innocent Muslims living in America, how a general Pakistani perceives American attitude and what happens when a Pakistani loves an American, who can not forget her first love.

The book is interesting in patches and boring in otherwise. Readers do not get the drift of where it is headed. Initially I thought it will cover the post 9/11 impact but then it inclined towards the love story and at the very end it leaned towards anti American protests in Pakistan.

I had a feeling that this book could have had more literary value. Author could have made it more profound and meaningful. But the opportunity was lost.

Although this book is a discussion between two men, it's written as a monologue. Would it have been more effective as a dialogue? Well, the author must have pondered on this before making a decision. However it is not clear why the Pakistani guy tells the story of his life to an American stranger who may or may not be a secret agent and why the American listens to it.

Translation of the book, though accurate, does not always convert the crux of the matter. Rather than translating word by word (example अरे गुराख्या for o cowboy), the translator should have tried to translate the matter of the soul to convey the meaning.

Not a must read. Give it a miss.

Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा) by Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी)

"Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी). This edition of the book is published by Saket prakashan (साकेत प्रकाशन) in 2014 (first edition 1961) and has 120 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 12 short stories.

'Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा)' is the story of a lonely old Catholic man who can not forget Milinda, a salesgirl, who spent a night with him twenty years ago.
In 'Anolkhi (अनोळखी)', Appa attends college function of his daughter and meets a lady who looks much like his deceased wife.
'Vyatha (व्यथा)', middle aged Anuradha has taken Sanyas but had she really dissociated herself from the material things?
'Mangu (मंगू)' is the story of a boy in 2nd standard and his antics during the absence of his parents, one Sunday.
'Anamikachi kshanchitre (अनामिकाची क्षणचित्रे)' are highlights of the life of a man who is ugly, deformed and unsuccessful.
In 'Smrutishesh (स्मृतिशेष)' a man visits his widowed ex lover for a purpose after a gap of 25 years. What's the purpose?
In 'Indrayani (इंद्रायणी)', Devdatta an invalid husband doubts that his wife has an illicit relationship with her boss. Does she?
In 'Jagan (जगन)' school children decide to publish a handwritten Diwali magazine. How much politics and plagiarism can there be?
'Kalya ani paklya (कळ्या आणि पाकळ्या)' is the depiction of mind, emotions & romanticism of a young girl and her parents; her reference of love.
Gopi (गोपी), a priest, lusts Kalindi. He wants her, wants to marry her. When the opportunity knocks, is he ready?
In 'Sasa (ससा)' a man meets a beautiful young lady in a railway compartment. He wants to say a lot, can he?
'Anarsa (अनरसा)' is the story of delivery of a lady who has eaten Anarsa (an Indian sweet) during solar eclipse against the tradition.

I liked Indrayani, Jagan and Smrutishesh however Gopi was the best from this book. Average length of each story is about ten pages.

Nine out of twelve stories have a strong but implied undercurrent of sex or physical attraction. Two stories have children protagonists.

All the stories are abstract and handle one specific instance in the life of the protagonist. Most stories end at a point which leaves the reader hanging. I had a feeling of something missing in most of the stories. Was it by design?

It's a small book, I completed it in two days.

Not a must read. Give it a miss.

Rangandhala (रंगांधळा) by Ratnakar Matkari (रत्नाकर मतकरी)

"Rangandhala (रंगांधळा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Ratnakar Matkari (रत्नाकर मतकरी). This book is published by  Mehta Publishing House in 2012 (first edition 1977) and has 196 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 15 mystery and enigmatic stories.

'Rangandhala (रंगांधळा)' is a story of a painter assumed and taken over by colors (रंग) and his muse. 'Waras (वारस)' is the story of a villa (वाडा) that shows a ghost only to it's inheritor. In 'Pulawarcha Manus (पुलावरचा माणुस)' a man sees another man on the bridge of his ancestral home. Who is he? In 'Baki rahilela kalokh (बाकी राहिलेला काळोख)' a man has a strange repetitive dream of cheating on his wife. His wife has a similar dream. Then there is a murder. Who's it? 'Chikhal (चिखल)' is the story of Ketki who fares to love a servant. She is convinced that her father has killed him and dumped in the marshland (चिखल). Has he? 'Hatmoje (हातमोजे)' is the story of gloves purported to belong to a killer. They want blood and make a murderer out of the wearer. 'Head-study (हेड-स्टडी)' is the story of an artist who specializes in making head statues and his friends psychiatrist. Both do head study.
'Ti don mule (ती दोन मुलं)' is a story of two cute, poor and dirty kids who land in the house of an agent who sells children for being? Or did they?

In 'Talyakathchi hirwal (तळ्याकाठची हिरवळ)' a middle aged, well to do, man starts an affair with a girl half his age and meets her on the lawn at the lake. Who's she? 'Zumbar (झुंबर)' is the story of hate remaining years after the death of a couple. 'Mhatarichi tarun mulgi (म्हातारीची तरूण मुलगी)' is the story of three Casanova friends and a Jakhin (जाखीण). In 'Interview (इंटरव्ह्यू)' Jagannath goes for an interview. But the condition of contract is very tough. 'Washikaran (वशीकरण)' is the story of a verbally challenged girl and what she does to get a young man fall in love with her.
In 'Jalmate (जळमटं)' we meet two old ghosts, their urge to love a child and their feelings.
'Tada geleli kach (तडा गेलेली काच)' shows us the world of a physically fit young man and his not so fit mind.

Ratnakar Matkari is known for his excellent enigmatic stories. He is one of the pioneers of such stories in Marathi literature.

The presence of unknown & the inexplicable has always fascinated human mind. These stories provide a glimpse into this unknown world. These stories are not gross, gory or vulgar, they are classy. They have a literary value.

Almost all the stories are good, however Waras, Mhatarichi tarun mulgi, Washikaran & Jalmate were especially good. A number of stories either have an undercurrent, intention or overt sex in them. A number of stories have ghosts (भुतं, पिशाच्च, जाखीण) or such creatures in them. Some stories also have mental illness. Almost all the stories use the shock technique and unexpected endings. As the book progresses, you start expecting the unexpected.

This book is a masterpiece of the genre. A must read if you are not against the genre.

Asmita (अस्मिता) by Suryakant Jadhav (सूर्यकांत जाधव)

"Asmita (अस्मिता)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Suryakant Jadhav (सूर्यकांत जाधव). This book is published by  Mehta Publishing House in 2011 and has 278 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान).

This is the story of Inspector Sanjay Patil's (संजय पाटील) search of a young girl Asmita (अस्मिता), who has gone missing. A mysterious Guru called Gurumani (गुरूमणी) offers his help to Sanjay to find Asmita. They are fighting against a gang, a MP and Sarpraj maharaj (सर्पराज महाराज).

Will Sanjay take help? Or will he take the evidence and clue route? Does he believe in such powers? Do such powers exist? Can he find Asmita alive?

This book explores the world of esoteric, unnatural (अघोरी) powers, black magic, spells etc in the modern world. A number of readers will give it a miss only because of above. Fight between good powers and bad powers (सुष्ट व दुष्ट) is an eternal battle that has been presented and written about for years in various forms & in all civilizations.

Narration is semi interesting. Story is decently paced. You do not get bored. It covers the land mafia, construction mafia, fishing mafia, corruption, black magic, police, politicians and much more.

I thought that the author had tried to rope in too many things in the book. Initially the focus is on land mafia, then it moves to Sarpraj maharaj, then to human sacrifice to fishers to land mafia again. In order to cover everything he is all over the place. Defeat of Sarpraj majaraj is a classic anti climax. The story drags unnecessarily after that, should have been rapped up quickly. It's a violent story with more than a dozen deaths.

Book cover is not attractive but it's apt for the subject. However it may repel a few readers.

Read it if you don't mind the subject, otherwise give it a miss.

Atra, Tatra, Sarvatra (अत्र, तत्र, सर्वत्र) by Aniruddha Banhatti (अनिरुद्ध बनहट्टी)

"Atra, Tatra, Sarvatra (अत्र, तत्र, सर्वत्र)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Aniruddha Banhatti (अनिरुद्ध बनहट्टी). This book is published by Esahitya pratishthan in 2015 and has 50 pages. The booklet is a collection of 3 stories.

In 'Atra (अत्र)' meaning 'Here', Rewati, a 30 years old unmarried lady works in a mall. She finds a hidden and furnished suit in the basement mall that provides her material pleasures, all material pleasures. Is it a parallel world? Would she like to be 'here'?

In 'Tatra (तत्र)' meaning 'There', Girish, a middle aged painter starts seeing things that ask him to go 'There'. 'There' is a location where he was found unconscious and a young girl, subject of his portrait, was found dead. What is 'there'?

In Sarvatra (सर्वत्र) meaning 'everywhere', Sudheer wakes up in a hospital. He goes in and our of consciousness and in this state of delirium he revisits his memories, not only from past but from past lives as well. He also remembers each death, each a sudden death. Will he live or die and will he go 'Everywhere'?

All stories have psychological complexity. They are the thoughts which are generally not spelled out. They linger on the border of reality and fantasy.

Each story has one or more deaths. Each story has sex (श्रृंगार) in it. The description is bold. In each story the main character tries something different, something exciting, something forbidden to break away from every day life but can not really do it.

Why the name Atra, Tatra, Sarvatra (Here, there, everywhere). Well probably only to rhyme. The names of the stories could have been something else as well.

This book is published only as eBook, not printed and is free for download to everyone. A good initiative by esahitya.

Read it for a change.

Navi Manse (नवी माणसं) by Narayan Dharap (नारायण धारप)

"Navi Manse (नवी माणसं)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Narayan Dharap  (नारायण धारप). This edition of the book is published by Saket Prakashan in 2013 (First edition in 1976) and has 94 pages. This book is a collection of 4 stories. I read this book through 'Grantha tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी)' scheme run by Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान).

In 'Navi manse (नवी माणसं)', Mohan, an unsuccessful man notices a man who looks very similar to his brother in law. Can he save his sister from this man? Has it anything to do with recent flood? 'Lal rumal' is the story of a painter, a good man, who sees a terrible dream. His client, a psychiatrist, tries to decipher meaning. But was it a dream? In 'Dilasa (दिलासा)' a city man goes to a village in Konkan (कोकण) and loses his way in a storm. He gets shelter or does he? 'Aarop (आरोप)' is a story where a college professor accuses his mama-mami (मामा-मामी) of a crime. Are they guilty?

Narayan Dharap is known for his enigmatic and mystic stories. All four stories are enigmatic stories. But they are not horror stories.

Each story has a shock (धक्का) towards the end. Each story has mind play and the fear of unknown. The stories are simple, not very complicated. All the stories are good.

The book has only four stories. Thus the length of book is short. I felt that the book could have used one or two more stories. That would have made the book of a decent length.

Some readers do not like the genre. They may not be interested in this book. However if you don't mind this genre or like this genre, you may like the book.

Read if you like the genre.

Bandhara (बंधारा) by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील)

"Bandhara (बंधारा)" a Marathi book by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House and this edition was published in 2013 (First edition 1989) and has 116 pages. This is a collection of eleven stories. I read this book through 'Grantha tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी)' scheme run by Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान).

"Bandhara (बंधारा)" is a story of a man traveling to his in laws in joy because he has become father 13 years after marriage and his silent fellow traveler who is going to same village. Why? "Perni (पेरणी)" is the story set in a village where it has rained after 3 years and sowing season has started. But everyone has a different thing to sow. Seeds, ideas, plans, opportunities and revenge. "Khasdaranche 'saha' vimanoddan (खासदारांचे 'सह' विमानोड्डाण)" is the story of first air travel of the lover of a politician, a member of parliament. "Bailancha vima (बैलांचा विमा)" tells us what happens when a farmer takes out the policy of his oxen and when one of them dies. "Pandharpeshi lok (पांढरपेशी लोक)" is a story of learned and timid passengers in a bus driven by drink driver and their reactions. "Hybrid Mawshi (हायब्रिड मावशी)" is the story of a shrewd business woman and how she sustains a business in a sleepy town that is undergoing changes of industrialization. "Nave ganit (नवं गणित)" takes us quickly through the life of a boy who round away from home and the transformations that take place in his life. For good or for worse? "Khelkhandoba (खेळखंडोबा)" is the story of census of monkey population in a village. "Gavgunda (गावगुंड)" is the story of a powerful man in a village who rapes young women but is so powerful that no one can do anything until some youngsters decide to do something. "Pur (पूर)" is an analogy of overflowing emotions with overflowing stream in the rainy season. "Dhumakul (धुमाकुळ)" tells us what measures are taken to find and kill a cobra that has entered a bungalow.

All the stories are rural stories. Author had portrayed controversies, idiosyncrasies, contradictions, limitations and emotions in this book. Some of the stories are humorous, some are sarcastic and some introduce us to the reality face-to-face. The average length of stories is 10-11 pages.

On occasions, when it was possible and expected, author has chosen not to dramatize the stories. Though all the stories are good, none is WOW.

Shankar Patil is a well known name Marathi literature. He is also known to tell his stories to thee audience verbally. I like to hear him, kathakathan (कथाकथन), more than reading him.

Not a WOW book. Read if you have time.

Chakatya (चकाट्या) by Da. Ma. Mirasdar (द. मा. मिरासदार)

"Chakatya (चकाट्या)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Da. Ma. Mirasdar (द. मा. मिरासदार). This edition of the book is published by Mehta Publishing House in 2014 (First edition in 1970s) and has 160 pages. This book is a collection of 13 stories.

'Shivajiche hastakshar (शिवाजीचे हस्ताक्षर)' is a story of confrontation between the history teacher of a boy and his historian father and how he suffers in the fight. 'Pralay (प्रलय)' is a story set in a village of illiterate adults and what they do after reading a news that the world will end, by flood, in eight days. 'Baba (बाबा)' is the story of a father who keeps bragging about his courage and daredevil acts to his son. But was he so? 'Photo (फोटो)' is the story of two rural bumpkins who were never photographed and wanted themselves to be photographed. 'Swabhaw (स्वभाव)' is about a lady who criticizes her neighbor for rumormongering while she does exactly the same. 'Police tapas (पोलीस तपास)' is about Police investigation or rather the lack of it in rural set up. 'Rang denyacha prakar (रंग देण्याचा प्रकार)' is a humorous story about experience of a lower middle class man of painting his house. 'Nava rasta (नवा रस्ता)' is about a proposed new road through Eknath's agricultural land. Can he save his land? 'Abhyas (अभ्यास)' is a story of how study happens or does not happen in a class of school. In 'Shaydi (शायडी)', a man comes to a village. Some think he is mad, some think he is Shaydi. Who is he and what is Shaydi? In 'Pathan (पठाण)' a young man decides to help his friend impress the girl he loves. How does it go? 'Babancha abhays (बाबांचा अभ्यास)' is the story of a father, an editor by profession, trying to supervise studies of his son. In 'Gaflat (गफलत)' there is a theft in a village and all the villagers are trying to determine how the thief entered and exited the seemingly impenetrable villa.

Of all the stories I liked Pathan (पठाण) & Gaflat (गफलत) the most.

Book cover is drawn by Shi. DA. Phadnis (शि. द. फडणीस). If I am not wrong, book covers for all the books written by Da. Ma. Mirasdar are drawn by Shi. DA. Phadnis. His caricatures have special strokes and one can recognize his pictures just by looking at them.

Most of the stories are set up in rural background. This is the speciality of Da. Ma. Mirasdar. Most of the stories are humorous with a border of harsh reality. Author has seen a story where a common man would not be able to. His power of observation is commendable.

All the stories are small with an average length of 12-13 pages, making them crisp. You do not get a chance to get bored. Modern readers who are not interested in rural backdrop may or may not like the book.

The book is good, but another book from same author that I read in recent past, titled 'Virangula (विरंगुळा)', was better.

Read if you have time.

Awara (आवारा) by Suhas Shirvalkar (सुहास शिरवळकर)

"Awara (आवारा)" a Marathi book by Suhas Shirvalkar (सुहास शिरवळकर). This book is published by Amol Prakashan (अमोल प्रकाशन). This edition was published in 2012 and has 240 pages.

This book contain three stories, all of them mysteries. Two murder mysteries and a bank robbery. The detective who solves them is Mandar Patwardhan, famous protagonist (मानसपुत्र) of Suhas Shirvalkar.

First story is 'Awara (आवारा)'. Helen Spylane (हेलन स्पायलेन), a scantly clad wet beautiful American girl, gets a lift by a handsome young man on a rainy night. They go to a lodge on Mumbai-Pune highway.  A man is murdered in her suit but he is not the one who gave lift to Helen. Two more murders are committed. Whodunnit?

In second story titled 'Gahan (गहन)'; Satlaj Mayawi (सतलज मायावी), a 21 year beautiful young girl, is about to inherit her father's fortune from the trustees. She loves a poor boy, Shailesh (शैलेश), and wants to marry him upon receiving the inheritance. But her father's will has a condition that she can't fulfill. Shailesh is murdered. Whodunnit?

In the story 'Watch-eye (वॉच-आय)', branch manager of a bank makes a plan to rob his bank with his beautiful lover. The bank is robbed. Whodunnit?

Writing murder mysteries is a work of patience. You have to introduce the characters, build the background, set the murder, scatter the clues, build the momentum, detail out the investigation, show either everyone or no one under suspicion and finally reveal the murderer. Doing all of it in a story of few pages is very difficult. There is a possibility to miss out on more than one things or risk sounding like a bulletin rather than a story.

Suhas has managed to avoid both, but the short length has put a few limitations that readers have to live with. All the stories are good and interesting.

I was a fan of Suhas Shirvalkar in my teens. All his stories sounded awesome. His characters appeared larger than life. His characters had interesting and innovative names. Did I feel the same while reading this book? Not really. It may be because I have read a lot in quantity and variety since then or it may be because the literature that was published after him improved a lot. Any way, what I felt was pure nostalgia. I remembered hours spent buried in Suhas Shirvalkar books. His characters Mandar (मंदार पटवर्धन), Ramy (रमी), Dr. Bankim (डॉ. बंकीम), Inspector Saigal (इ. दिनेश सायगल), Danny (डँनी), Firoz Irani (फिराेझ ईराणी), Barrister Amar Vishwas (अमर विश्वास) etc. I met some of them in this book after a long time. Had a good time.

An OK book. Read it for nostalgia.

Khekda (खेकडा) by Ratnakar Matkari (रत्नाकर मतकरी)

"Khekda (खेकडा)", a Marathi book, by Ratnakar Matkari (रत्नाकर मतकरी). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House in 2013 (First edition 1970) and has 116 pages. Ratnakar Matkari is known as best Marathi writer of horror (भय) and enigmatic (गूढ) stories. This book is a collection of 11 such stories. All these stories were published in Hans (हंस) magazine between 1965 & 1969.

'Khekda (खेकडा)' is a story of a man who wants to kill his polio affected daughter to marry his lover. 'Kunastav kunitari (कुणास्तव कुणीतरी)' is about a beggar boy and an unknown and dying woman. 'Antaray (अंतराय)' is a tale of revenge after death. 'Kalkiche bal (कळकीचे बाळ)' is about a women giving birth to a Mondor, or is it? 'Pavsatla pahuna (पावसातला पाहुणा)' is about a soul (आत्मा) roving for more than 400 years. 'Shalecha rasta (शाळेचा रस्ता)' is about a girl who thinks to much and had difficulties finding road to her school. 'Ti, Mi ani To (ती, मी आणि तो)' is about a serial killer and his intended victim. 'Nimachi Nima (निमाची निमा)' is about a small motherless girl Nima and her doll called Nima. 'Ek vilakshan aarsa (एक विलक्षण आरसा)' is a story of a mirror that shows you the true yourself. 'Album (अल्बम)' is about deaths when photo is pasted in the album. 'Tumchi goshta (तुमची गोष्ट)' is a possible story that can happen in anyones life and ruin it.

Fear (भय) is the common ingredient of all these stories along with shock (धक्का). It's the shock that multiplies the  fear factor. Every story has a twist. The stories caress you, entice you, surprise you and don't let you sleep because you want to finish the story, if not the book.

Ratnakar Matkari is a master story teller. Fear lurks in the stories and you don't know at which turn you will encounter it. Real shock comes generally towards the end of each story. You should read it alone at night in the light of a night lamp.

I remember having read some of these stories. The one I liked most are Kalkiche bal (कळकीचे बाळ), Pavsatla pahuna (पावसातला पाहुणा), Ti, Mi ani To (ती, मी आणि तो) and Tumchi goshta (तुमची गोष्ट). The one that I liked least was Shalecha rasta (शाळेचा रस्ता). Description of "You - the common man" in 'Tumchi goshta (तुमची गोष्ट)' is so good that it applies to most of the middle class men.

One doesn't read horror stories very often unless you are an aficionado of such stories or you happen to come across one in a Diwali ank (दिवाळी अंक). It's a good change. The stories have been written almost 50 years ago but they have not lost their relevance.

A must read, if you like the genre.

Bari (बारी) by Ranjit Desai (रणजीत देसाई)

"Bari (बारी)", a Marathi book, by Ranjit Desai (रणजीत देसाई). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House in 2013 (First edition 1990) and has 178 pages. This is Ranjit Desai's first novel (Earlier books were short stories).

This is the story of Berad (बेरड) tribe who lived in the jungle between Kolhapur (कोल्हापुर) and Belgum (बेळगाव). They lived off the jungle and topped it up by looting the rich people who passed through the jungle. Symbol of Berad tribe is an Axe (कुऱ्हाड) called Farshi (फरशी) that is used as tool as well as weapon. Bari (बारी) means a path that goes through thick jungle.

This novel follows Tegya (तेग्या), chief (नाईक) of small Berad village called Beradwadi (बेरडवाडी). It starts from the time before Tegya was married, takes us on a roler coaster ride showing the transformations that take place in Beradwadi with changing times and receding jungle. The story is set in a period before and after independence.

Although it's a novel, it's not pure fiction. The names and characters may or may not be fictional but the story and transformations are real and could have happened in any such village. The story takes us through social (सामाजिक), economic (आर्थिक), mechanical (यांत्रिक), educational (शैक्षणिक) transformations of Bread tribe. A tribe that is known to be basically nature loving, fearless and one who value their word and honor more than their life.

First half of the story (which occupies 65% of the book) is very interesting. You love Tegya and everything that he stands for. You become a character of the story. Then the transformations set in and suddenly story picks up speed; lot of speed. Second half is very fast and although you understand what is happening, you don't relish it.

Some of the sub plots are also left unfinished. What happens to Inamdar (इनामदार)? What becomes of Sawkar (सावकार)? Does the rape go unpunished?

Ranjit Desai is a well known author. He has depicted the rural life beautifully. Marathi language that he has used in the book is very peculiar. It is rural (ग्रामीण) & has Kannada (कानडी) influence, the area being close to Karnataka (कर्नाटक). It was a while that I had heard or used some of the words in this book, felt nostalgia. However this may be the very reason some readers will shun from reading this book.

A very good book. Recommend reading.

Shabdanche dhan (शब्दांचं धन) by Maruti Chitampalli (मारुती चितमपल्ली)

"Shabdanche dhan (शब्दांचं धन)" a Marathi book by Maruti Chitampalli (मारुती चितमपल्ली). This (third) edition of the book is published by Sahitya Prasar Kendra (साहित्य प्रसार केंद्र) in 2011 and has 184 pages.

Maruti Chitampalli worked as a forest officer and has written extensively about wild life, flora & fauna and Nature. His specialization is birds.

This non fiction book is a collection of 20 articles. Each of these article was previously published in either newspaper or Diwali magazine (दिवाळीअंक) between 1977 and 1990.

Most of these articles are about a famous personality in the world of literature and/or art. Author has come in contact with some of these personalities in relation with literature or wildlife and author has learned something from each of them. Some are friends of author, some are aquitances, he has met some of them only a few times or even once and he has never met some of them. Each of the personality is nature lover and had some relation to wildlife and birds.

Some of these personalities are Writer Vyankatesh Madgulkar (व्यंकटेश तथा तात्या माडगुळकर), Painter Almelkar (चित्रकार आलमेलकर), Principal Narhar Kurundkar (प्रचार्य नरहर कुरुंदकर), Bird scientist Dr. Saleem Ali (डॉ. सलीम अली), Writer G.A. Kulkarni (जी.ए. कुळकर्णी), Common men like Sumantbhai (सुमंतभाई) and his wife (भाभीजी) and a security guard, Greek thinker Aristotle (अँरिस्टॉटल), Western writers Joy Adamson (जॉय अँडमसन) & Jane Gudal (जेन गुडाल), Saint Samartha Ramdas (समर्थ रामदास), Editor Umakant Thomre (उमाकांत ठोमरे), Writer Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी), Japanese writer Sei Shōnagon (सी शॉनगॉन), Ancient Indian writer Hansadev (हंसदेव) and
J. Krishnamurthy (जे कृष्णमुर्ती).

The ones I liked most were Sei Shōnagonche The Pillow Book (सी शॉनगॉनचे दि पिलो बुक) where the author appears in his dream and they discuss her writing. I was amazed by Nisargapremi Samartha Ramdas (निसर्गप्रेमी समर्थ रामदास) who has enlisted about 300 plants (वनस्पती) in one composition (श्लोक) while segregating them by type in each stanza. Hansadevache mrugapakshishastra (हंसदेवाचं मृगपक्षीशास्त्र) was a very informative article introducing readers to a scientific book written by Hansadev, a few hundred years ago, about animals & birds, their classification and behavioral patterns.

Author has covered personalities from various geographical areas (India, Japan, USA, UK) and time period (Contemporary, 50-100 years ago, 300 years ago, 700 years ago, 1000 years ago). Though most of them are writers there are editors, painters and common men as well.

Some of the articles are very interesting and some are not so good. Some articles have a hint of boastfulness, but author has tried to be polite even in that.

Not a must read, but you can read it for a change.

Raanmitra (रानमित्र)" by Padmashree Dr. Prakash Amte (डॉ. प्रकाश आमटे)

"Raanmitra (रानमित्र)", a Marathi book by Padmashree Dr. Prakash Amte (डॉ. प्रकाश आमटे). This book is published by Samakalin Prakashan  (समकालीन प्रकाशन) in 2013 and has 117 pages.

Dr. Prakash Amte, based in Hemalkasa (हेमलकसा), is well known for his social work for the upliftment of Aadivasis (आदिवासी) of eastern Maharashtra. His work for improving the hygiene, quality of life and education of the of native tribes is unparalleled. However he is also known for his love of wild animals. He runs an orphanage for younglings of wild animals. This book is about his experiences with these animals, how it started and his observations. The book also contains lot of photos of these animals.

Author has very tender feelings towards these animals. Most of them were either brought to Hemalkasa as baby orphans or were born in the orphanage. He and his colleagues have raised them with great love and affection and the animals have reciprocated. He talks about his first guests -monkeys (माकड) and has dedicated a chapter each for leopards (बिबट्या), lion (सिंह), bears(अस्वल), snakes (सर्प) and a chapter for crocodiles (मगर), foxes (कोल्हे), wolves (लांडगे), hyenas (तरस) etc.

All these animals were raised like their own children rather than pets. Sometimes they have even injured him, but not with the intention to harm but as their way of demonstrating their love. The only feeling that author has for the animals is empathy and love. The book is sprinkled with photographs of animals. The paper quality used for this book is also superior, probably with the intention of making it a collectors item.

Author has also busted a number of myths in the book. Bears like rice with milk. They are possessive. A lion and a leopard share a female leopard for mating. Swallowing tobacco kills snakes (poisonous as well as non poisonous) within minutes. Python never swallows any animal alive, it swallows after killing. Crocodile is not cruel and does not drag man in water and swallow. Fox never eats animal killed by someone else. The book is informative and entertaining at the same time. Success of the book is that, readers feel urge of visiting Hemalkasa.

What could have been better? Photo quality. It is not professional quality. It should have been better. The photos should have been annotated or atleast titled. It would have been easier to correlate to relevant text easily.

The length of book is just right. Shorter and it would have looked like pamphlet or booklet. Any longer and it would have appeared stretched.

A good book. Recommend reading.

Parshudhari Parshuram (परशुधारी परशुराम) by Sudhakar Shukla (सुधाकर शुक्ल)

"Parshudhari Parshuram (परशुधारी परशुराम)", a Marathi book by Sudhakar Shukla (सुधाकर शुक्ल). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House in Aug 2008 and has 264 pages.

The book is narrated in first person by Parshuram. It starts with the story of his grandfather Ruchik to his parents Jamadagni (जमदग्नी), a sage with legendary temper, and Renuka (रेणुका). Then it comes to the story of Parshuram.

He considered himself Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) by birth who is also a Kshatriya (क्षत्रीय). He learns brahmavidya from his father and shastravidya from Sage Kashyap. He conducts strict meditation and obtains Shivadhanushya from Lord Shiva, Vaishnav dhanushya from his grand father Ruchik and Parshu (परशु) from Lord Ganapati. This Parshu gives him the name Parshuram.

His life goal is to salvage the populace from oppressive kings. If that calls for war, so be it. If he has to kill the kings to achieve his goal, so be it. War and killings were not considered job of a Brahmin in those days. A Brahmin carrying weapons was a curious sight in those days. It is said that Parshuram got the earth rid of all Kshatriyas, 21 times. This book, however, is exponent of the theory that he got rid of bad Kshatriya kings and not all Kshatriyas. The first big war he fought was with Sahastrarjun (सहस्त्रार्जुन), a very bad and oppressive king, and all his ally kings. The second big war was against Vimalasur (विमलासूर), a demon who made life difficult for everyone.

His second life goal was to create a new land by asking the sea to retract, invite all kind of people to relocate there, build important temples and make a heaven out of the barren land. This land is present day Kokan.

Finally the meeting of two legends; Ram and Parshuram, takes place. This meeting is the devine signal to Parshuram that his work on Earth is coming towards end and there is someone else to fight the bad guys.

Parshuram is a very interesting character. He is Brahmin by birth and Kshatriya at heart. Forgiving, austerity and non violence are characteristics of Brahmin and war, violence and opulence are characterized in a Kshatriya. There is a constant dual between these two personalities within Parshuram. On one hand he wants to follow path of non violence and on other hand he can not accept the reign of unjust kings. Various sages, including his father and his guru, try to contain his anger and rage so that he doesn't go too far in his revenge and harm or kill the innocent.

Although the story of Parshuram is fascinating, author has chosen to narrate it blandly. Either he has missed the opportunity to make the narration interesting or he has done so deliberately. Thus the book just manages to keep you interested but you have a feeling that it could have been better.

The narration is decent. Some of the events are wrapped up too quickly and others are stretched. Author has used the word haslo (laughed), more than 100 times in this book, in the form of मी हसलो or तो हसला or ते हसले.

All in all a good book due to the fascinating story. If you  are interested in Parshuram, read it.

Madhyanh (मध्यान्ह) by Hari Narayan Apte (हरी नारायण आपटे)

"Madhyanh (मध्यान्ह)", a Marathi novel by Hari Narayan Apte (हरी नारायण आपटे). This edition of the book is published by Samanway Prakashan (समन्वय प्रकाशन) in Sept 2013 and has 416 pages. This book was originally written and published around year 1900. Meaning of Madhyanh is Noon.

This is the novel in times of Peshwai (पेशवाई). This novel captures the changes and realignments in Peshwai after Raghobadada (राघोबादादा) assassinates the reigning Peshwa Narayanrao (नारायणराव). Raghobadada becomes Peshwa but his conscience doesn't let him stay in capital Pune and he leaves to attack the neighbors and expand the boundaries. Narayarao's widow was pregnant when he was killed.

Twelve administrators (कारभारी) of Peshwai led by Sakharambapu Bokil (सखारामबापू बोकील) and Nana Phadnis (नाना फडणीस) do not approve of Raghobadada's illegal capture of throne of Peshwai. They come together to conspire (बारभाईचे कारस्थान) against Raghoba and take over the charge of Swarajya (स्वराज्य) in the name of still to be born son of Narayanrao, hoping that it would be a son. Anandibai (आनंदीबाई), the brain behind, Narayanrao's assassination and wife of Raghobadada, tries to kill the phoetus, the mother and then the new born. Nana ensures that all these attempts are foiled. The newborn, a son, is declared Peshwa. He is called Sawai Madhavrao (सवाई माधवराव), which means better than Madhavrao, his uncle.

Nana and the administrators ensure that all internal and external enemies are silenced. Nana also ensures that all administrators stay on track of their objective of protecting and increasing Swarajya, dispite their differences. He breaks the back of the opposition by a combination of spying, negotiating, threatening, cajoling and emotional blackmailing.

The objective is to bring the sun of Peshwai high above head like noon (मध्यान्ह), of reestablishing the Peaswai to the pinnacle of old glory that was achieved in the times of Madhavrao Peshwe.

Initial part of novel is very interesting. The story slows down in the middle and picks up speed at the end. Some of the historical instances are covered in very few pages. I felt that the book should have had another 70-80 pages.

The analysis of events, way of thinking of characters, the mental combat, the strategies are all impeccably presented. At the end of the book the reader wants to know what happens next and doesn't want the book to end.

Hari Narayan Apte, the author, is famous Marathi writer known for his historical as well as social novels. He is also the author of ground breaking novel 'Pan lakshat non gheto (पण लक्षात कोण घेतो)', a novel based on Women Empowerment narrated by a female character.

This book was written more than 100 years ago, so the Marathi language used is ancient. On one hand this can be an exotic angle for some readers and on the other hand the readers can shun the book for this very reason.

If you can stand ancient Marathi and if you know and are interested in the history of Peshwai, this book is for you.

Disclaimer: I am not related to the author.