- Chief Vigilance Commissioner Kuldeep Khoda, MLC Vijay Bakaya and Dr R L Shant releasing book of Dr K L Chowdhury at a function at Jammu on Sunday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Dr K L Chowdhury’s book Faith and Frenzy was launched at Jammu Club here today in a largely attended function.
This is the first time that the author Dr Chowdhury, a well known poet physician with four published autobiographies and a travelogue has come out with a prose fiction. The widely acclaimed book which is already in reprint, brings to the reader the intimate details of Kashmiris of all hues caught in the quagmire of terror and murky politics.
Most of the stories in the collection are about the militancy transforming the lives of the people and changing the social dynamics and human relationships.
There are stories of reconciliation and reaffirmation of religious diversity on the one hand and intolerance and exclusivity on the other; and how thousands of Kashmiris mostly Pandits were forced into exodus from the Valley to the plains of India -their lives before and after the exodus, their identity crisis and existential problems in exile and their yearning to return to their homeland.
The function was presided over by Dr R L Shant a renowned scholar who termed the book as masterpiece. The function among others was graced by Kuldeep Khoda, Chief Vigilance Commissioner and Vijay Bakaya, MLC.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khoda said the book contains captivating stories and termed it a serious literature.
Mr Bakaya said some stories in the book are very good especially the story about the Gul Prang. There are pathos, exile and pain in the book and the last years memories have haunted Dr Chowdhury, he added.
He complimented the author for brining the book which also provides the deep and nostalgic flavour of Kashmir’s peaceful days.
Prof H L Misri, Prof K B Razdan and Virender Raina read in depth and masterly papers on the book and complimented Dr Chowdhury for a monumental work of great historic and literary import.
The highlight of the function was a stimulating interface with Dr Chowdhury. Noted intellectuals engaged him in a vibrant discussion through their critical appreciation and probing questions on various facets of the book.
In response to a question whether the stories were true, Dr Chowdhury responded that there was a thin line between fact and fiction. He said that his profession gave him unique opportunity to go deep into the lives of his patients who hail from all cross sections of the society and in a way his consulting chamber was a window to humanity. The patients are the raw material for his stories.
Pardeep Kaul compeered the proceedings in his characteristically charming style while Sanjay Dhar proposed vote of thanks. Dr Roshan Saraf eulogized the author by singing a poem.
Follow our WhatsApp channel