Author: Jainendra Kumar
Translator(s)/ Edito: Jainendra Kumar
Publisher: Sahitya Akademi
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 224
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8126001267
Description
The twenty-three stories in this anthology were initially put together by Jainendra Kumar, a leading Hindi novelist of the post-independence period. It is important to realise its significance in the history of the nation as well as in literary history. The volume as it stands today reflects (a) the development of the short story, (b) the aesthetic principles which guided Jainendra Kumar’s choice, and (c) the culture concerns of the authors. Jainendra Kumar’s prefaces to the anthology offer a very perceptive definition of the short story.
The stories cover a wide spectrum of emotion and expression. Ranging from introspective analysis to satire, from subtle comedy to the downright ludicrous, from negation to faith, they also reflect the changing social scenario of the First World War and after. There are reflections of the freedom struggle, the poverty, the oppression, the British Raj, and the intrusion of urbanization. There is also the conflict between cultures and lifestyle, tribal realities and sophisticated cityscapes.
Contents
A Note on the Translation
Preface
1. Kafan
2. The Troth
3. The Local Tough
4. The sheltered
5. Bangles on the Ears
6. Tai
7. With Whom Shall I Share
My Sorrow, My Beloved
8. Kaki
9. The Merchandise of Truth
10. Mithaiwalla
11. Khudaram
12. The Night of the Journey
13. Installment
14. Makreel
15. The Revelation
16. Haunting Agony
17. Dachi
18. The Aberrant
19. Rehman’s Son
20. Laila’s Marriag
21. The Soap
22. The Doe
23. Gadal
Glossary
Note on Writers
Note on Translators