Occasionally, there are certain literary works that cement a writer’s style into the reader’s conscience. For Hindi writer Swadesh Deepak, that book would perhaps be his 2003 novel (I Have Not Seen Mandu). The most recent addition in that pile is his collection of 10 short stories— which have been translated by renowned writers such as Jerry Pinto, Pratik Kanjilal, Nirupama Dutt and the author’s son Sukant Deepak.
As one reads through the collection, each story unravels, like an onion, the myriad layers of Swadesh’s writing style and goes on to portray its diverse dimensions. Reconciling with reality takes centrestage in ‘ ’. The protagonist’s journey as a newly appointed doctor in a village is described in a flashback as she waits for something or someone at a railway station.
As the reason for the excruciating wait is slowly revealed, one realises the pain and turmoil uncertainty comes with. In ‘ ’, the author lays bare the ugly and brutal reality of our society. A young boy roams around the railway station in the hope of finding something to eat.
In a pitiful image, he collects grains for his disabled mother and 12-year-old sister as they fall from ripped sacks of rice that are being transported. As the title suggests, the story goes on to depict the life-changing decisions that one is compelled to make or are made on their behalf when the basic need of hunger looms over them. Reality meets satire in ‘No News of Untoward Events’.
Irony dies a thousa.