Adhuri ek kahani (अधुरी एक कहाणी) by Anant Tibile

"Adhuri ek kahani (अधुरी एक कहाणी)", a Marathi historical novel, by Anant Tibile. This edition is published by Riya Publications in 2013 and has 184 pages.

The story is set during the reign of Shivaji (शिवाजी महाराज). Location is the city of Surat (सूरत) and timing is after Shivaji's first attack on Surat and before the second attack.

Fateh Khan (फतेहखान) comes to the notice of administrator of Surat as an excellent fighter and bright youth. He appoints him as head of 25 men squad. He stays with Allabaksh and his elder daughter falls in love with him though Fateh looks at her as a sister.

Administrator's daughter, Jannat (जन्नत), is engaged to Mubarak who commands 100 men. Mubarak is an alcoholic and makes love with any young girl that he likes. He seduces them by any means; be it love, money or rape.

Jannat falls in love with Fateh and Fateh reciprocates her feelings. But Fateh is restless. He loves Jannat but can not take the relationship further. Why? Because not only he is not a Musalman but he is also an enemy spy. He works for Shivaji Maharaj.

What is his mission? Why has he become a spy? Does he love Jannat? Will he acknowledge his love for Jannat? Will he marry her? Can he complete his mission? What will he choose, love or duty? What is his real name?

This is a love story with a historical background. Author has chosen the time period very well. The historical background makes the story exotic.

Reader wants to know how it ends because there are many possible endings to this story. Author has successfully created the 'period' atmosphere. Fateh is always torn between love and duty. The choice that he has to make is very difficult one. No one wants to be in his shoes. Anant Tibile delivers the story deftly. Narration is precise and pace is appropriate. He has concentrated on the love story and avoided making it a spy thriller. The book is short and sweet. I finished reading this book in one sitting.

However there are errors and incongruities in the book. Use of wrong name, Sayyad instead of Chandkhan etc, could have been easily avoided by paying little more attention during proof reading. Such errors cause hindrance in the joy of reading.

A good book. Recommend reading.

Aisi kalvalyach jati (ऐसी कळवळ्याची जाती) by Prof. Milind Joshi

"Aisi kalvalyach jati (ऐसी कळवळ्याची जाती)", by Prof. Milind Joshi. This book is published in 2012 by Continental and has 210 pages.

This book is a collection of 17 word sketchs (व्यक्तीचित्रे). First three are author's mother, father and grandmother. These people have played an important role in shaping author's life. Author has described these personalities out of his love for them.

Next 14 are famous and revered personalities and men of letters (साहित्यिक) in Maharashtra. I have seen Principal Shivajirao Bhosle since childhood, but got to know something new about his personality.

Milind informs us that Mrutyunjarkar Shivaji Sawant (शिवाजी सावंत) was not an army man although he wore beret. Mrutyunjay is most sold novel in Marathi and was nominated for Nobel. Prof. Ram Shewalkar (प्रा. राम शेवाळकर) leading light of literature.

He goes on to present Gan.Na. Joglekar (गं.ना. जोगळेकर), an outspoken personality who was criticized but who did a lot of organizational work for Marathi literature. Nirmalkumar Phadkule (निर्मलकुमार फडकुले), man with a sweet tongue. Emotional & pure of heart, Da.Ma.Mirasdar (द. मा. मिरासदार), Dr. Da. Bhi. Kulkarni (द. भि. कुलकर्णी), the critique. Simplicity of Poet Grace (कवी ग्रेस) against perceived unfriendliness.

Chief of Bharti vidyapeeth Shivajirao Kadam (शिवाजीराव कदम). Police investigation story writer and editor Va. Kru. Joshi (व.कृ. जोशी). Radio producer and writer Jyotsna Devdhar (ज्योत्स्ना देवधर). One of the best known Marathi poet and lyricist (जगदीश खेबुडकर).

He has forcefully supported Suneeta Deshpande (सुनिता देशपांडे), wife of the great Pu. La. Deshpande (पु.ल.देशपांडे), who was criticized for her book 'Ahe manohar tari' (आहे मनोहर तरी) and finally poet Data Halasgikar (दत्ता हलसगीकर)

Milind has succeeded in penetrating the veneer of fame and look at the person beneath. Although it is interesting to know things about famous personalities that are not really available in public domain, the narration seems to be unorganized. I know that Milind Joshi writes better than this.

All these articles were individually published earlier in magazines at various times. They are compiled in this book 'as is'. It has caused repetition of a phrases, sentences and references. This might be one of the reasons for the unorganized appearance. Some touch up and editing before publishing should have been done to bring uniformity and continuity.

An OK book. Read if you want to know about these personalities.

Pavankhind (पावनखिंड) by Ranjeet Desai

"Pavankhind (पावनखिंड)" a Marathi novel by Ranjeet Desai. This book was first published in 1981.

Everyone who knows Maratha history and Chatrapati Shivaji's achievements also knows the story of Bajiprabhu Deshpande (बाजीप्रभू देशपांडे). This novel is on the legendry battle of Pavankind (पावन खिंड) where Bajiprabhu made his last stand. Pavan means sacred and khind means pass. This was the battle at a mountain pass called Pavan Khind (The sacred pass).

The story starts showing Bajiprabhu's sense of justice and ability to identify and encourage talent. Baji is the Pradhan (Prime minister) of Bandal Deshmukh of Mawal. Shivaji wants them to join him against Mughals. Baji rejects. A war ensues and Shivaji wins. Baji challenges him for a duel. Shivaji refuses, appeals to his patriotism and emotions and recruits him. He is handed the responsibility of reconstruction and fortification of fort Jaslod. Baji completes the job beyond expectation.

Afzalkhan, Adilshah's military commander, attacks Maratha territory. Shivaji kills Afzal. Vijapur's Adilshah can not digest the defeat and sends Siddhi Johar on Swarajya (स्वराज्य) Onus is on Shivaji, assisted by his trusted aids including Bajiprabhu Deshpande, to save the Swarajya (स्वराज्य). Siddhi Johar attacks and lays siege to Panhala (पन्हाळा). Shivaji is at Panhala with Baji. Shahistekhan attacks and captures Pune. This is a double whammy.

Shivaji decides to escape thru the siege on foot. He and Baji select 600 soldiers and escape. Shivaji's barber acts as decoy and sacrifices his life. Siddhi Johar's knight Masood chases Shivaji on horses. Masood would catch up before Shivaji reaches Khelna (खेळणा).

When they reach Gajakhind, a mountain pass, Bajiprabhu asks Shivaji to take 300 soldiers with him to Khelna and promises that not a single enemy soldier will cross the pass until Shivaji's arrival at Khelna is confirmed by canon fire.

This is where Baji along with his elder brother Fulaji and 300 soldiers made their last stand. Baji fought like a typhoon. No one could kill him. Enemy was terrified by his bravery. Finally he was shot from long distance. However he did not take his last breath until he heard canon fire. He died after fulfilling his promise.

The epic battle of Pavankhind alone can not become a novel. Hence novel starts with the recruitment of Bajiprabhu, how he worked with Shivaji and how the relationship was built and then takes us to the events that led to Shivaji breaking through the siege of Panhala to reach Khelna, later renamed Vishalgad. How he was chased and how Bajiprabhu made his last stand with 300 people against more than a thousand and defended the pass till the canon fire confirmed that Shivaji had reached Khelna.

Bajiprabhu's contribution does not stop at one battle. If he had not succeeded in stopping the enemy at Pavankhind, Shivaji might have been captured and / or killed. The dream of self rule (स्वराज्य) would have remained a dream.

Although this is a small book, the author has developed the characters well. The human element is captured crisply. He has demonstrated that a small but important event can be converted to a novel.

Downside is that actual battle starts after 140 pages out of 157. There are also some errors. The pass is mostly called gajakhind sometimes it's called ghodkhind.

It's a small  and interesting book. You will enjoy it only if you know Maratha history.