O.P Sharma
Book : Tandan
Author: Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
Pages : 128
Cost : Rs 300
Publisher: Mayasansar Publications
SurakshaVihar Top Paloura, Jammu
Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’ has been writing in English, Hindi and Dogri languages for the last 32 years now. He has about 19 books to his credit that include 02 in English, 10 in Hindi and 07 in Dogri languages. He has written fiction as well as creative writing for promoting mother tongue Dogri and cultural heritage of Duggar Pradesh. He has been awarded prestigious Bal Sahitya Puraskar-2022 by Sahitya Akademi New Delhi for his collection of children short stories ‘SIKH MATT’ in addition to Prof. RamnathShastri Memorial Award and others from different Government and Non-Government organizations. He has also written plays , features and serials for Akashwani and different Doordarshan channels in addition to theatre plays and a couple of feature films.
‘TANDAN’ is a collection 11 short stories written by Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’ in Dogri language who before it has contributed in Dogri literature with his critically acclaimed collections of Dogri short stories entitled KHOUDHAL, ADH MAJHATAI, JEEBH TALATYEE GAYEE, KEH PATA and ‘SIKH MATT’ for children.
‘ TANDAN’ , which means thread is well knitted with the stories that are very close to heart for its contents which are unique but have all contemporary values.’DESI KUKKAD’first short story of the book has been woven around corruption which is quite evident in literary circles and the organizations established to promote literature and cultural traditions. ‘DesiKukkad’, the cock real has been the focus of the story that has emotional attachment with the kid but everyone who is non vegetarian knows it well that cock real is always in demand. Mithu’s cock real also suffers the same fate when it is used by his grandfather to appease the person heading the literary organization. The story exposes the harsh realities of those who pose to be torch bearers of ethics and intellect.
‘AMULYA JOGDAN’, the 2nd story of the book revolves around a litterateur who gets honored by different organizations from across the country but is not admired by his own people. However those organizations which have honored him have no real base and other litterateurs of soil are quite jealous of him for continuous honors received and are surprised about colossal contributions made by that so called litterateur who could not get honor from own people. The story is a satire on so called litterateurs who are getting regular a wards online from the organizations known to them only.
‘GOVANSH’ is an emotional story that exposes those so called saviours of Govansh. The village Youngman is surprised that in dairy there are only cows and what about the calves? Where they go when they are born in these dairies ? The story ends at a shocking revelation that they are left unattended to starve and die because they have no commercial values.
Another story from the book ‘ASTITAVA’ is a psychological plot with super natural forces in the backdrop instigating the researchers to make thorough research on this unexplored world also whereas ‘MASYA DI RAAT’ is about exploitation of women thus taking advantage of superstitious beliefs. ‘DENGU HOI SAKDA AE’ revolves around those characters whom we come across in daily routine life. They are negative minds who spread negative waves and are always ready to demoralize others in this pretext or other. And derive pleasure from sufferings of others. ‘JUNI is an exceptional story about the beggars who are found near railway tracks thus picking up the trash. They have their own world, where there is frustration and exploitation too and Drugs play a vital role in their miseries.
‘NEH KANE PAROHNE’ which is the last story of the book is an amazing concept portraying delicate relations taking advantage of emotional angles. But the visitors should also realize their limits which should not be crossed. If the host is not reacting in open it is not his weakness but helplessness as he doesn’t want to lose relations. The plot is woven around close family members that makes it even more interesting with comic inputs.
The plot of each story of the book revolves around familiar characters that makes the stories more realistic in approach. The atmosphere is local that helps the reader to connect with the plot and language is simple that does help to enjoy and entertain.
The writer has interestingly used the words. The plots, characters and places mentioned in the stories are purely imaginative and have nothing to do with person dead or alive’, owing the fact that all the stories are thought provoking and realistic also. Some of the stories which are first in Dogri literature should inspire other creative writers also to express what they feel from within and pen down the fiction works but with realistic approach as far as contents of stories are concerned.
The book is recommended not only for the entertainment but also thought provoking content that has been harsh realities of recent times. Those who wish to read good Dogri literature written with a creative and honest approach have an opportunity to have ride through these stories and enjoy the swings holding the thread’ TANDAN’
The cover page of the book that carries 128 pages is designed by Mrinalini Singh which is quite symbolic and attractive also.
( starline.syndicate.service@gmail.com)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
