O P Sharma
Name of Book : Manhole
(A collection of Dogri short stories)
Author : Santosh Sangra
Publisher : Highbrow Publications,
Bari Brahmana, Jammu
Year : 2023
Pages : 160
Price : Rs. 450
The 160-page book in Dogri entitled : ” Manhole” by eminent dramatist- turned-writer Santosh Sangra contains 15 typical short stories which will certainly educate, entertain and sustain the interest of the readership. These stories, with women-related problems and other social issues. It is noteworthy that these stories depict, in the background not only Duggar Desh but other cities like Lucknow, Varanasi in the country, where she visited and temporarily stayed.
Interesting Narration
Santosh Sangra, has six short stories so far with a sharp focus on female issues and other societal problems. These books are: ” Kali Ganga” short stories in Dogri- 2011; “Antar Maene di Kaid” Dogri stories in 2016; “Vichar Oshad” Essays in Hindi – 2017; “Duree da Rishta” Dogri drama-2018; ” Koo Haam” Essays in Hindi-2022 and lastly the present publication titled ” Manwhole”, a book of short stories in Dogri. This new book was released by the Dogri Sanstha at an impressive function held at Writers’ Club, J&K Cultural Academy, Jammu on June 23, 2023 and was attended by galaxy of eminent writers and prominent citizens.
Meaningful Stories
This 160-page Dogri book contains 15 short stories with titles like : Kabard, Mukiti, NamiTube light, Sidh Mai, Dhuni, Azad Panshi, Masiha Te Neki Di Raah, Give me Break, Matre Sneh, Gaat Goachna, Manhole, Shehre da Pani, Masoey da Ara, Sukhan and Pinjara. All these and other stories are written by Santosh Sangra based on her vast experience and expertise in social sphere. These tell-tale stories convey, undoubtedly, meaningful message and leave a lasting impression of the style, lucid Dogri language and memorable characters on the readers.
Dr Om Goswami and Prof Veena Gupta (both prestigious Sahitya Akademi awardees for Dogri}, noted writers Suman K Sharma, Baljit Singh Raina, Dr Bharat Bhushan Sharma, in their messages have expressed good words for the style and substance of the short stories narrated by Santosh Sangra in this book entitled “Manhole”. While the author has expressed her candid viewpoint for writing this book which Santosh Sangra has dedicated to her life-partner H L Sangra, who was constant source of inspiration for her.
Lessons of Life
Identity & Dignity in Dogri
This collection of short stories is a welcome addition to galaxy of Dogri language and its literature. I feel strongly that we have a vast reservoir of young budding talented writers who should come out leaps forward for our mother-tongue, Dogri to attain sky-high heights which, we people really aspire for and deserve also.
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