The book, published by Readomania is a remarkable collection of voices. The analogies, the imagery and the symbolism blend to powerfully state opinions. The book also serves to shake the readers out of their complacence and think about how they can make the world a better place.
When you dive into the pool of irony lock stock and barrel,
what you come up with is, yes, you guessed right---Mock Stalk and Quarrel! From
the quirky title, to each of the twenty-nine stories in the book, the single
thread that binds it all together is its power of making the reader think. The
thinking is also on two levels. One, the stories are satires, with oblique
references to the topic the author is writing about. So the reader is
immediately drawn into figuring out the subject, as well as what the characters
stand for. Two, when the subject is understood, the reader ponders over the
situation that the story conveys.
This anthology has shown that political and social
commentary need not be declaimed from an ivory tower. Instead, the funnier and
quirkier the story, the more is the impact!
“The Little Princess” by Deepti Menon is a parable with
unique metaphors. The rose tinted glasses come off pretty soon as the princess
with a mind of her own observes the goings-on around her. The not-so-oblique
images of the present day situation are amusing. There is also a matter-of-fact
reference to domestic violence. The ending is apt, in keeping with the vein of
the story.
“The Root” is an allegory by Ranjan Kaul. Two major
communities clash: a clampdown on free speech ensues. With clever use of words,
the author holds the reader’s attention. Some sacred cows are held up for
inspection and these are the points to ponder. Does the muzzling of free speech
lead to writer’s block? Is Swaraj, that is freedom, a myth? Can one function
properly only after sinking one’s teeth into the forbidden fruit (or rather,
root?)
“Girl Talk” by Kirthi Jayakumar rests on the very original
idea of a Whatsapp group of the three supreme feminine deities, with very apt
monikers! Being added to and leaving the group is a depiction of how Parvati,
when overwhelmed, transforms into Kali and back again after getting the rant
out of her system. Amidst all the slang, the author makes a very pertinent
comment on the Holy Trinity not being able to create-sustain-destroy, without
their counterparts’ powers. Very Speaking Tree, I must say! The fact of Saras not
being too savvy with abbreviations and hash tags, is ironical in itself.
Generously sprinkled with puns, the story is an amusing read, yet with a
message.
Radhika Maira Tabrez’s story, “Darkness reigns at the foot
of the lighthouse” is heartrending. The author has caught the pulse of a
socialite’s day very well. The title itself is an indicator of the sting in the
tail to come. Following the travails of the protagonist, the reader is brought
up short with a shocking revelation.
“The Udalpool” by Tanushree Ghosh Dhall portrays the lives
entwined with a flyover set up for collapse. The style of writing is such that
the reader knows it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes. The
oblique reference to “Madam” compels the reader to think.
“The Red Card” considers the subtle menace of domestic and
mental abuse. The story moves forward alongside a football match: an unusual
analogy. It is heartening that instead of just depicting the gloomy situation, Lakshana
Palat has given the heroine some spunk. The message is loud and clear: violence
cannot be tolerated.
In “Hero” by Esha Chakraborty, the protagonist’s futile
attempts to get into the papers are comical. The irony of how he finally
achieves his ambition is not lost upon the reader. One is forced to think about
priorities in the face of obstacles.
Having a maid work for one, comes with its own travails.
“Fifty shades of maids” by Akhill Pratap
puts down on paper everything that everybody cribs about, in a most
comical way. Women working outside their home are especially at the mercy of
this tribe. The maids are well aware of their indispensability, and milk it for
all they are worth!
If you like your humour a little gross, then “God gifted” is
for you. Anirban Nanda has done a fine job of portraying the small-mindedness
of a set of people set in a time-and –space warp. Bolstered by bombastic
utterances, they are literally a law unto themselves. The translation of their
names into English lends farcicality to their entities.
“Holy Trinity” by Aashisha Chakraborty deals with the
insatiable need today, to display picture-perfect lives on social media, at any
cost. The author captures the drawing-room hypocrisy succinctly. Readers are
sure to pause a little before they next indulge in a round of social-media
bingeing!
Paulomi DuttaGupta takes us through the turmoil and the turbulence
of the struggle between the haves and the have-nots, in “The revenge of the
Darbaris”. Using the rollback of the Privy Purse, the author deftly illustrates
the complacence of the privileged class. The reader is also reminded of the
power historians can wield. The story shows us a glimpse of perhaps a world of
the future, where the word “intolerance” is unknown. Yet, vestiges of
familiarity with this word do remain! We would do well to aspire to such a
world.
“Transferable Gods” by Dr. Kuheli Bhattacharya boldly takes
on the prickly subject of conversions and reconversions. The author uses unique
analogies like bank accounts to put forward the argument for conversion. The
satire stems from the fact that for some, it is a drawing room topic, to be
hotly debated, but for others, it is their whole life.
The way that “The Dress Code” has been written, it seems
quite plausible! This allegory by Amrita Mukherjee totally adheres to the
anthem “desperate times need desperate measures”.
“Double contamination” by Vibha Sharma revives the age-old
mystique of blood. The usual spats between neighbours, centred upon mundane
issues like water and smells, are actually a manifestation of a deeper chasm
based on the concept of pure-impure, ours-theirs.
In “The Whistle Blower”,
Dr. Santosh Bakaya chooses to set the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin in the
modern context. Even though the word has a different connotation, it still is
relevant because the pied piper is a metaphor for someone who lays bare the fact
that everyone is, in fact, part of a huge rat race.
“Groom Reservation for Dark-skinned girls” is a play, which
the reader can visualise easily. The scientific jargon is believable, albeit
with a sly dig at the internet as the new fount of wisdom, verified or otherwise!
Lata Sony has chosen an aspect of discrimination, which borders on racism, and
has dealt with it in such a matter of fact way, that the reader almost says,
“Well, why not?”
“Yet to Win” by Aparajita Dutta invokes an unsettled feeling
because of the neglect of women’s sports and in fact, all other sports barring
the hallowed one of cricket. The angst comes pouring down with the rain and yet
there is a ray of hope. The story hints at the message that change has to be
brought about by first having the courage to change ourselves and then stand
for what we believe in.
Anupama Jain, the weaver of punny tales does it again! With
the nonchalant broom of her unique logic, Mrs XXL sweeps away all protests from
the mild AllJazz, in the story, “AllJazz and Nation Building”. Everything is
grist to her mill, be it public hygiene, women’s rights, superstitions and
rituals, or farmers’ suicides. In all the light-hearted banter, there is a hint
of middle-class discomfort too---when they face contempt from both the upper and
lower classes! In spite of Mrs. XXL’s cavalier attitude towards anything
remotely civic or considerate, she is actually endearing! The author puts
alliterations to good use. The narration hardly gives the reader time to catch
the breath! The message at the end of the story lends a sober note.
“A serious confession”: High on sarcasm, the author turns
his lens towards the many issues that prickle our conscience today. Sensitivity
to caste names is at one end of the spectrum, while the discontent voiced by
NRI’s is at the other. Aryan Huria examines blind patriotism in some people and
fake feminism in others. The manic media is dealt with, and so are the
so-called godmen. The protagonist has a roving eye of a different kind---it touches
upon so many ills of the present day. Yet the tone is sunny and lighthearted.
“A miracle in Mewar” by Nitin Chandola puts the spotlight on
the Juggernaut that is the government. With clever similes like the
garlic-vampire one, the story moves forward. The powers-that-be seem to be like
the mills of God, which grind slowly but then, the mills grind exceeding small,
and the government apparently does not! Still, the feisty Laajo does manage to
save the day!
“The Ultimate State of Free-dom” by Ramya Vivek takes a look
at the dismal picture of the country today. The very use of slums, malls and
flyovers in the same sentence portrays the reality that is India, like it or
not. The author unveils dirty politics, which seem to be all encompassing. The story puts across the highly relevant
point of the need for educated voting. The end is chilling, at one level,
because the helplessness of the common man is highlighted.
“The Almost God” by Ramaa
Sonti shows up the unholy alliance between godmen (or godwomen) and the
government. Each feeds off the other. The story rolls along with ease to the bitter
end. Again, the sufferer is the ordinary citizen. The narrator too seems
helpless, taking on the role of an observer only.
“The virtual warrior” by Ramendra Kumar touches upon the
very many ills of society, be it the apathy of government doctors, corruption
in government offices or road rage of luxury car owners. Godmen too become the
butt of the author’s dry humour. The delineation of the problems is enough to
make readers wring their hands in despair. Yet, what comes through is a sincere
desire to set the world right.
“The Samosa Scam” uses an unusual personification. This
lends itself to the proverb, “Walls have ears”. The story portrays heartfelt
angst against government lassitude. The author, Kanchan Gandhi, also conveys
the significant point that corruption is not only overt, but also covert. The
inordinate importance given to snacks at the meeting, touches a familiar chord!
Manna Bahadur in “Mr. MP” puts across the state of affairs
today, in a succinct manner. The coaches being detached from the main train in
1947, is a metaphor. In the game of corruption, there is complete trust. This
is a spin on the term ‘Honour among thieves’. The story is peppered with little
observations, which can be true of any village of any state. It ends on a
hopeful note, which lifts up the entire narration.
“Leopard’s tail” by Kavitha Murali has you hooked from the word go. The choice of
the name of the RJ is a dig at the media today. We are taken through the subtle
and gradual conversion of the leopard into a tiger. The story is a riot of
media exaggeration, political mileage and sheer common sense.
“In search of Mr. Perfect” is a cynical take on groom
hunting in this age of matrimonial sites. With tongue firmly in cheek, the
author, Piyusha Purnima Vir neatly classifies grooms for the readers’
delectation!
“The Ugly face of death” is by Akshay Abbhi. The story
abounds in unusual metaphors: saliva of a sugar glider, for example. The
narration is a-shock-a-minute, lulling the reader into a false sense of
security and then jumping out at them, so to speak. A passing reference to the
different faiths serves to emphasise that death and the final reckoning cannot
be escaped by anyone.
“Marriages are made in heaven” by Vandana Jena raises more
gender issues than one can shake a stick at! Each word is tongue in cheek. Any
reader would start a slow simmer right away, with the father uttering words
like “the right values” “dowry” and “Freedom fighters” in the same breath!
There is a hint of patronization towards widows too.
Most of the stories, notwithstanding their main theme, also
touch upon the marginalisation of women. This thread running through the book
shows how much it is on our minds, collectively. Each story is based on a topic
that is a burning issue.
This book serves to
show that irony is a strong weapon to combat injustice or the trauma arising consequently.
Only a tremendous amount of hard work can achieve such a seemingly simple
anthology. Only strongly felt issues can result in such breezy reading.
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