Our Favourite Indian Stories

by Khushwant Singh

  KHWAJA AHMED ABBAS

  Khwaja Ahmed Abbas (1914-1989) was a journalist, novelist and film producer-director of international repute. A writer with leftist leanings, Abbas published over 40 books in Urdu including Diya Jale Sari Raat (novel), Main Kaun Hun, Ek Ladki and Zafran Ke Phul —all collections of short stories. His other important works include When Night Falls, Face to Face with Khrushchev, a 2-part biography of Mrs Indira Gandhi — Indira Gandhi: Return of the Red Rose and its sequel That Woman.

  Oriya

  GOPINATH MOHANTY

  Gopinath Mohanty was a celebrated Oriya novelist and short story writer. He received the Jnanpith Award in 1964 for his novel Matir Matala. He lived mostly in Koraput district, the tribal area of Orissa. His novels bear testimony to his knowledge of tribal life.

  KISHORI CHARAN DAS

  Born in 1924, Kishori Charan Das is a renowned short story writer in Oriya and English. His Thakur Ghara received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1976. A former employee of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, he has travelled extensively on various foreign assignments, the experience of which enriches his stories. A prolific writer, Kishori Charan Das has authored several collections of short stories, novels, essays, poems, abridgements and translations. He represented India at the International Writers' Week at Adelaide in February 1980 and later, toured Australia under the Indo-Australian Cultural Exchange programme.

  Gujarati

  DINKAR JOSHI

  Born in 1937 at Bhavnagar in Gujarat, Dinkar Joshi is a prominent Gujarati novelist, short story writer, essayist and columnist. He is a scholar on the Hindu epics — the Mahabharat and the Ramayan. His novel Prakash-no-Padcchayo, based on Gandhiji's family life has been adapted into a play in different languages including English. His works have been translated into Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil. Five State Sahitya Akademi Awards have been conferred upon him.

  KUNDANIKA KAPADIA

  A popular Gujarati writer, Kundanika Kapadia was born in Saurashtra, worked as a free lance writer, edited magazines and, quitting Mumbai (where she lived most of her life) in 1987 has now shifted to a small village in South Gujarat where she and her husband poet Makarand Dave have established a Centre named Nandigram Trust, dedicated to spiritual development and service to Adivasi people living around the Centre. Ms Kapadia has written three novels, short story collections and books, including translations from English and Bengali. One of her novels, Saat Paglaan Aakashma won five awards, including one from Sahitya Akademi, Delhi. This novel, translated into many Indian languages, has the English title Seven Steps in the Sky. She has also won other awards from literary bodies.

  Rajasthani

  VIJAI DAN DETHAA

  Vijai Dan Dethaa was born in 1926. He is popularly known among his readers as 'Vijji'. He is a well known Rajasthani writer and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award. He has also published several works in Hindi. He is currently associated with the Rupayan Sansthan, Borunda.

  Sindhi

  GOBIND PANJABI

  Panjabi was a leading Sindhi writer. He belonged to the Progressive school of writers. His writings depict the painful experience of being uprooted from one's homeland and related problems. Along with his contemporaries, Panjabi took up the cause of Sindhi language and literature. He wrote feelingly about the life of the common man and gave expression to his sorrows. Writing prolifically after the Partition, Gobind Panjabi was one of the pioneer publishers of a literary magazine of the early forties — Nai Duniya.

  NARAIN BHARATI

  A prominent Sindhi writer, Dr Bharati wrote in the post-independence years between 1947 and 1948. His collection of short stories is titled Zindagi-a-jo-Babu (A Chapter of Life). He has done pioneering work in the area of preserving Sindhi folk literature. He has painstakingly recorded customs, traditions, myths, legends, lullabies, wedding songs etc. of an ancient and rich culture which has a vast variety of folk literature. He has done so in a series of eight volumes which include Sindhi Lok Kala (Sindhi Folk Art); Sindhi Lok Kahaniyan (Sindhi Folk Stories) and Sindhuri thi Gave (Sind is Singing).

  Marathi

  GANGADHAR GADGIL

  Born in 1923, this Marathi short story writer, novelist, playwright and critic has more than fifty literary works to his credit. Gangadhar Gadgil has been thrice awarded State Awards for his books Talavatale Chandane, Ore Unha, and Sat Samundra Palikade.

  GAURI DESHPANDE

  Born in 1942, Gauri Deshpande has emerged as a popular writer in Marathi. She has written 16 novels, several collections of short stories and essays in Marathi. She has also published collections of her poems and short stories in English, besides six volumes of translations from Marathi into English. Sixteen State Prizes in various categories have been bestowed on her. Her translation of sixteen volumes of Sir Richard Burton's Arabian Nights is considered a landmark event in Marathi publishing history. Her work has been translated into all major languages, including German and Norwegian.

  Assamese

  MANOJ KUMAR GOSWAMI

  Born in 1962 at Nagaon, Assam, Manoj Kumar Goswami has published seven collections of short stories, one novel and a travelogue. He has worked in two dailies, Natun Dainik and Ajir Batori and is currently the Executive Editor of Arnar Asorn. In 1994, he was awarded the Katha prize for his short story Samiran Barua Ahi Ache and the Sanskriti Award in 1996. He is also active in the electronic media.

  Kashmiri

  AKHTAR MOHI-UD-DIN

  Akhtar Mohi-ud-din (1928—2001) was a distinguished Kashmiri author. He made a significant contribution to the enrichment of modern Kashmiri literature. His volume of short stories, Sat Sangar received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1958. He is the author of Dod Dag which is considered the first novel written and published in Kashmiri.

  ABDUL GANI BEG ATHAR

  Abdul Gani Athar (1943-....) is a teacher in the Jammu and Kashmir Education Department. He has written poems, short stories and plays in Kashmiri. A collection of his short stories in Kashmiri was published some time back. His work has also appeared in Sheeraza (Jamniu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages).

  Malayalam

  KAMALA SURAIYA

  Born in Malabar in 1934, Madhavi Kutti assumed her pen name Kamala Das which brought her fame. Her English poems and Malayalam stories became famous the world over. Kamala Das has been honoured with prestigious awards. Her mother is an acknowledged poet. While non-Malayalis know her as a writer of fiction, she is better known in Kerala as a poet.

  THAKAZHI SIVASANKARAN PILLAI

  Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai is the doyen of Malayalam writers. He has received a dozen literary awards and honorary doctorates. Some of these are: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award; Central Sahitya Akademi Award; Vayalar Award; Soviet Land Award; Jnanpith Award; Padma Bhushan and an honorary doctorate conferred upon him by Kerala University. His stories are more the work of an artist rather than a medium for conveying messages.

  Kannada

  CHADURANGA

  Chaduranga, a scion of the royal family has authored such outstanding novels as Vaisaka, Sarvamangala and Uyyala. Savatha Mana is among his prominent short stories. His novel Vaisaka won him the Sahitya Akademi Award. He is regarded as one of the forerunners of the Pragatishila movement, considered the embodiment of progressive thinking in the Fifties.

  DEVANOOR MAHADEVA

  Devanoor Mahadeva is a prominent writer of Kannada. His real name is Subramanya Raja Urs. His writing career began in the Navya phase. He has been described as a modern, universal writer. Despite his progressive thinking, he differs from the writers of the Pragatishila phase as he does not raise loud slogans. His collection of short stories titled Dayavanooru is considered a milestone in Kannada literature. His novellete Kusumabale won him the Sahitya Akademi Award.

  Telugu

  P. PADMARAJU

  P. Padmaraju (1915-1983) was a distinguished short story writer and dramatist in Telugu. His short story The Cyclone was awarded second prize in the World Compet
ition conducted by the New York Herald Tribune in 1952. Two of his important works are Padmaraju Kathalu and Kooli Janam.

  MALATI CHENDUR

  Malati Chendur has over forty-five years of writing experience behind her. She is one of the leading names in progressive Telugu writing. Her dimunitive frame houses a forceful personality. She uses this to the maximum effect to speak up against the current degradation in society. Among the many honours she has won are Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award and Central Sahitya Akademi Award.

  Tamil

  INDIRA PARTHASARTHY

  Born in 1930 in the town of Kumbakonam, Ranganathan nee Indira Parthasarathy obtained his M. A. degree from Annamalai University and Ph. D from Delhi University.

  Dr Parthasarathy has worked as a teacher and researcher in Delhi, Poland and Canada. He has been commended by Warsaw University for his contribution to the field of Dravidian research.

  Indira Parthasarthy has won laurels in various forms of literature such as the novel, short story and drama. Prominent among the awards he has won are Central Sahitya Akademi Award; Tamil Nadu Government Award; and Kasturi Srinivasan Award.

  PRAPANCHAN

  Prapanchan was born and brought up in Pondicherry. Vaidyalingam, as he was earlier called, went to Karandai College where he won the title 'Pulavar' or Pandit. He spent his early years in a French Colony. Yet, rather than being deeply affected by French literature, he was affected by 'Surya Mariyathai Iyakkam', the Self Respect Movement against Brahmin domination.

  He has worked as a teacher of Tamil, journalist and sub-editor. His writings have been appreciated for their richness and quality and have been translated into English, French, Swedish and German, besides into various Indian languages. He has won several coveted awards which include Central Sahitya Akademi Award; Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award; Kasturi Rangammal Award and the prestigious lllakkiya Chinthanai Award.

  Dogri

  CHAMAN ARORA

  Born in 1945, Chaman Arora is one of the most promising Dogri short story writers today. He has published two collections of short stories Lohe Diyan Phingran and Kandhan Te Qile and has contributed to an anthology of short stories by upcoming short story writers titled Sach Te Sach. He has also co-authored a play with Lalit Mangotra titled Jeene Di Qaid.

  OM GOSWAMI

  Born in 1948, Om Goswami is one of the most distinguished and popular Dogri short story writers. He also writes in Hindi. He has to his credit four collections of short stories in Dogri and three in Hindi. Arora has been awarded by the Sahitya Akademi for his Dogri collection Sunne Di Chidi. Until recently, he was the editor of Dogri publications of J & K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. He has also contributed to children's literature, published a collection of plays and is currently editor of a quarterly children's magazine and chief editor of the Dogri Dictionary Project.

  Konkani

  CHANDRAKANT KENI

  Editor of the Marathi Daily Rashtramat since its inception in 1963, Chandrakant Keni (born in 1934) writes short stories in Konkani, Marathi and Hindi. The first editor of Sunaparant, the first ever Konkani daily and Chairman of the Goa Editors' Guild, Keni has also been the recipient of the National Award for Journalism (1995). Notable among the honours received by him have been the Sahitya Akademi Award (1989); Dr. TMA Pai Foundation Literary Award (1990); Goa State Literary Awards on three occasions and the Goa State Cultural Award (1997). A champion of the Konkani language, Chandrakant Keni has been closely associated with the freedom struggle of the territory from Portuguese colonialism.

  EDWIN JOSEPH FRANCIS D'SOUZA

  Edwin D'Souza has written 27 novels and more than one hundred short stories to date. He has conducted several Konkani literary camps, seminars and panel discussions. He has also presented several papers on Konkani literature at prestigious forums. Some of his noteworthy literary awards have been from: Konkani Bhasha Mandal (1973, 1993); Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi (1995-1997; 1997-1998); Dr. TMA Pai Foundation, Manipal (1992) and Konkani Literature Award (1998). He has been President of the 11th All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan and Konkani Writers' Forum, Karnataka. Editor of Amar Konkani, D'Souza is currently faculty at the Institute of Konkani, St Aloysius College, Mangalore.

  English

  KHUSHWANT SINGH

  Khushwant Singh was born in Hadali, Punjab. He was educated at Government College, Lahore and at King's College and the Inner Temple in London. He practised at the Lahore High Court for several years before joining the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in 1947. He began a distinguished career as a journalist with All India Radio in 1951. Since then he has been founder editor of Yojna (1951-1953), editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India (1979-1980), chief editor of New Delhi (1979-1980), and editor of the Hindustan Times (1980-1983). Today he is India's best-known columnist and journalist.

  Khushwant Singh has had an extremely successful career as a writer. Among his works are the award winning Train to Pakistan, Delhi, Religion of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh - the Saviour, My Bleeding Punjab, Punjab's Tragic Story, Need for a New Religion in India and other essays, Indira Gandhi Returns, and A History of the Sikhs, vol. I and vol. II. Khushwant Singh has written more than 72 books till date. His latest novel, The Company of Women was published in 1999, and his autobiography, Truth, Love and a Little Malice is now in the news.

  Khushwant Singh was Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986. Among other honours he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 by the President of India (he returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the Union Government's siege of the Golden Temple, Amritsar).

  MULK RAJ ANAND

  Mulk Raj Anand (1905—) is one of the most distinguished and front-ranking Indo-Anglican writers. Educated at Punjab and London Universities, he held the Tagore Chair in the Department of Comparitive Literature at the Punjab University, Chandigarh. He was Chairman of the Lalit Kala Academy and edited Marg, a reputed arts quarterly for quite some time. Untouchable, Coolie (both novels), Death of a Hero (novel), Private Life of an Indian Prince, Seven Summers (novel), Lament on the Death of Master of Arts, Persian Painting (essays) and The Story of India are some of his famous works.

  ATUL CHANDRA

  A journalist by profession, Atul Chandra (1953——) started his career in 1976. A promising short story writer, Chandra holds a Masters degree in Economics. He has worked with National Herald, The Pioneer and Hindustan Times. Currently he is Deputy Resident Editor of The Times of India, Lucknow.

  SHOY LALL

  Shaildharee Lall (1926-1975) was born in Bhagalpur and educated in Doon School. He started writing in the early 50s. He was a Farming Correspondent for The Statesman. Having been cured of TB in Switzerland, he returned to India and devoted his time to writing and building the house at Tikratoli — an architectural delight he writes so fondly about. The house is still as breathtakingly lovely, if not lovelier today. His wife Nilika who still lives there has ensured that.

  NEELAM KUMAR

  Neelam Kumar's early childhood was spent in the erstwhile USSR where her parents, Mr O. N. Panchalar and Mrs Urmila Panchalar were posted. When they joined H. E. C. Ranchi and later, Bokaro Steel Plant, Neelam moved to India.

  After completing her schooling from St. Xavier's School, Bokaro Steel City, she obtained an English Hons, degree followed by a Bachelor of Education and post graduation in Public Relations & Advertising. She then won a scholarship which took her to the United States. She obtained her Masters degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. Her thesis, The American Perception of India as Reflected in the Top 5 US Newspapers won accolades.

  In 1982, she joined Steel Authority of India Ltd. at Bokaro Steel Plant as the Editor of the house magazine. She is currently Chief of Communications at SAILs R&D Centre (RDCIS) at Ranchi.

  HINDI

  The Resignation

  Premchand

  An office Clerk is a dumb creature. Glare at a labourer and he will glower back at you. Speak rudely to a Coolie and he will throw the lo
ad off his head and walk away. Reprimand a beggar and he will stare angrily at you and turn away. Even a donkey, if mistreated, will kick back. But the poor Clerk! Scold him, abuse him, kick him and he will not so much as frown. He has more control over himself than a saint. He is the picture of contentment, tolerance and obedience, the epitome of the noblest of human qualities.

  Even ruins have their better days of glory. On the night of Diwali, they are lighted up. During monsoons, they have green moss on them. They reflect the changing moods of Nature. The poor Clerk never changes. His pale face never lights up with a smile. The rains do not bring relief to his dry as dust existence.

  Lala Fatehchand was one such clerk. It is said that a man's name affects his fortunes. This was proved wrong in the case of Lala Fatehchand. His name meant Winner. But it would not be an exaggeration to call him Haarchand (Loser). A failure in office, a failure among friends, he had faced only setbacks and disappointments.