I was trying endlessly to read the book, since the day it arrived, preordered on Amazon! It is none other than my favorite author’s latest epic of lives of women, this time again hailing from Calcutta a dream city and mother of millions! Yes, this is about Dr. Chitra Divakarini’s novel, Independence! I realized, it is not me trying to read or unable to proceed or any such thing. I found it very interesting, but my eyes, as they are growing older, could not read much with the artificial light the Utilities are offering! Then it was serendipity as I sit myself down over the straight chair on the patio and set myself up to read the book, starting once again from page one.
Is this a book of sorts or what? It isn’t ! It is like the silver river shining in the moonlight throwing the bright moonlights of October, on a broad spring day! The Lines are so amazingly flowing like the stars from the heavens, stuck together on a beautiful Bangal Silk saree with Kantha work that is showing new meanings and beauty every time you look at it. The way story is designed, and the words from stars are borrowed from the magic finger tips of the creator no less than a student who learnt to play the Veena of her words, right from the fingertips of Mata Saraswathi and whose lyrics shine even the darkest of darkness staying within the deprived heart from light of knowledge or love or empathy and brings home that miracle of words as they are played on the exquisite hands of the maestro, who can tune the hearts of the readers and play the divine music of eternal travelers from yonder and ancient!
I love the way the mood is created as I read in this bright light amidst quietness despite the rustle on the highway as the fresh air touching the greenery in the backyard, along with a baby Neem tree, curry tree planted in the pots and surviving few seasons of frosty winters..
It is not just the light that is helping me read, it is the content and the story starting with young girl Priya, winning over the zamindar’s chess game and realizing the gifts she is receiving despite tough times at home, by her father treating their patients with love and without returns.. if not for the artistic works of their mother quilting those magical stars for the weddings, as she remembers her mother Bina..
O my loving lord of the words! I still need to read more but, being an artist it is difficult for me not to relate it to the pleasant sound of the sparrows, robins blue Jays, mocking birds conversing loudly as if saying ”teacher teacher” and the aura it creates inside one’s heart as they get to seek the ambrosia these feelings of one generation people come alive again and again every time one reads. Let me not stop here. I will return later and share the joy again, as you share yours, by reading the book Independence, now on Amazon, and wondrous bookstores near you and originally released in India and published by Harper Collins! Ladies and gentlemen and readers all over the Universe, here is Dr. Chitra Divakarini’s latest wonder of a story that is always magical from their pen, Independence!
For someone who is an audio person, Audible is an excellent answer! Couple it with read along you would enjoy twice as much fun! Now if you are a visual media person, I would say you gotta create it asking your students to perform, nay?
Part 2
I promised you, I would update how I respond as and how the story goes forth for the novel Independence: a novel, by Dr. Chitra Divakaruni ji.
Ages have passed, not only since I promised, but also since the story of Priya has moved forward.
I would not reveal the length and breadth of the extent of story that took place, but I can tell this much: You would not want to stop reading, from. Where you were to reach almost four or five chapters into the story.
We find the greatness of humanity and human spirit as we see the ups and downs of politico-social upheavals back at the time of Independence and National Movement in India, how right from going to participate in Dandi Satyagraha to make salt, to full fledged riots across the city of Calcutta have brought changes in the lives of people who went through these. People, young and old, men and women, have experienced the plight of losing a friend a near or dear person and life cannot be the same but it has to go on, no matter what..
Later,
We also find how sentiments and family dramas shape the lives.. although, I do know people have better opportunities and encouragement available in these days, than back then.. Thanks to so many people and organizations that bring forth the spirit of Independence not just to individuals who appear to be hail and healthy but also others of special needs and care required, and this movement is not just momentary, but very precious and ever going, for the flower of Independence designed, dreamed and lived, cherished and brought into a reality by all.. I was going through some of these strong responses my heart was feeling and without sharing these, I cannot hold on to go on listening or reading longer than where I am at.. Now I can move on … into the quest of finding the more of what…
Later,
-Uma Jiji!
