Mountainous Small Tale – A new face of Marathi rural literature
Maharashtra and Marathi language have a very long illustrious legacy of literature. Today I am going to introduce you to one of the present torchbearers of this legacy. Most of the Marathi household knows him for his wonderful letters for the popular comedy show “Chala Hawa Yeu Dya” of Zee Marathi. Yes, you guessed it right. Mr. Arvind Jagtap. “पत्रास कारण की” was the session in programme where open letters written by him were performed by Sagar Karande. He opened up his heart about social issues via his letters. गोष्ट छोटी डोंगराएवढी (Mountainous Small Tale) is a short story collection written by Mr. Arvind, I feel, is a new face of Marathi rural literature.
Blurb:
सगळ्याच गोष्टी दाद मागण्यासाठी सांगितल्या जात नसतात. काही गोष्टी आपल्या मनावर डोंगराएवढं ओझं वाटत असतात. कुणाला तरी सांगायला पाहिजे असं वाटतं. एकदा शुटींगच्या निमित्ताने एका गावात ड्रोन हवेत उडवला होता. गावकरी जमा झाले होते. कुतुहल म्हणून त्यातला एक माणूस म्हणाला, “किती दिवस झाले राव वर बघून! आभाळाकडे बघणंच सुटलं होतं.” धक्का बसला ऐकून. माणसं वर बघायचेच विसरून गेलेत काही ठिकाणी. आग ओकणारा सूर्य असतो खुपदा वर. तेंडूलकर जेवढा कौतुकाने वर आकाशाकडे बघत उतरायचा ना तेवढ्या कौतुकाने बळीराजा वर बघत शेतात जायला हवा. ऐकायला साधी वाटते ही अपेक्षा पण खूप अवघड आहे. गावोगाव अशाच गोष्टी आहेत.
प्रत्येक शेतकऱ्याची गोष्ट छोटी वाटते पण असते डोंगराएवढी
– अरविंद जगताप
Mirroring today’s rural life
We always have romantic notions like beautiful countryside, lush green farms, clean air. However, ground reality is starkly different from this. Mr. Jagtap has captured this reality with all the nuances of today’s rural life. His storytelling is so crisp and engaging that you don’t feel the weight of serious issues about which a story is written. These stories are from rural areas of Maharashtra. A couple of them take place in cities yet they have a strong rural connection through a student from a village living in a boarding school in the city, or a group of friends who came to the city with an agenda to meet some politician for work, etc.
I got introduced to this book by Spruha Joshi’s YouTube video in which she narrated a story from this book titled “अमर रहे! पण कुठे?”. It’s a story about a martyred soldier and the way his village receives his body for last rites. Other than this, पाकिस्तानच यान (Pakistan’s Spaceship), किस (Kiss) and गायीचं काय करायचं? (What to do with this cow?) are some of the stories that made a strong impact on my mind. Arvind has a unique style of visual storytelling. Characters and places from his stories come to life in front of you while you read.
My Rating
Book Cover: 4.5/5
Storytelling: 5/5
About the book
Title: गोष्ट छोटी डोंगराएवढी
Paperback Publisher: Indian Bharat Publications
E-book Publisher: RBONATO.com
ISBN: 9788194148203
Where to buy:
- Amazon E-book
- Amazon paperback
- Bookganga
- Nearest bookshop
I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s My Friend Alexa. My current ranking is 396,140. I am trying to improve on this. Hope you all enjoy these Marathi books too.
Nice review. Any translations available for this book? either in Hindi or English?
I don’t think so. But, will ask around
beautiful. good to see the literature developing with budding writers.
You are doing great.. Regional literature needs to come back and see the light in 21st century.
Thanks for encouragement! 😊
Sounds like a wonderful book. It’s been long since I read Marathi books.
Nice review but I don’t know Marathi, any translation available for book.
So glad you decided to pick this up again. I love what you have said about romantic notions of farming/villages that city people have.
Thanks yaar…. Soon will be writing about other Marathi books which I loved.
We need more efforts to make regional literature mainstream. Posts like these help people from other languages appreciate them.
Regional literature is already mainstream. Sayin only English literature as “mainstream” is a very wrong.
Lovely review. Rural village life holds a special place in my writing too. Since i cannot read Marathi so i can’t read the book, but reading your review brings the merits of the book to the fore
Deepika
Sadly this book is not yet translated in English or Hindi. Also, I am not sure how translating something in other languages do justice fo original writings. Many times, there are some locul colloquial nuances which cannot be translated with same fun/intensity etc.
Agree with what you said about people glorifying village life!
The only Marathi writer I read is Shivaji Sawant. I read his books as I had deep interest in mythology a few years books and his books were recommended by one of my marathi senior in office. Marathi writers have huge talent and I have seen many Marathi movies based on Marathi literature. They are really a different class.
Do try this short book. It’s a quick read and is full of fantastic stories .
Literature needs to grow up and it can only if authors take such initiative. Glad you wrote thie review.
It is good to know that regional literature is making waves and it deserves the platform for upliftment.
it is interesting to read so much about good marathi literature.
Glad to read about the book. Spruha Joshi and me went to the same gym. I really like her a lot, such a wonderful co-incidence that you quoted her in your blog post.
I wish I knew Marathi, after reading this review.
Literature in retinal languages is what we have forgotten or American literature has been in the spotlight that we missed out on regional language treasures in India.
Regional literature has its own charm highlighting the richness of the culture and lifestyle. More such posts should be written to bring out the essence of regional literature.
Nice review .Sounds like a wonderful book.
Keep those reviews coming though I have no interest in reading in Marathi. More power to you to finish and compete this challenge…
That was a deep thought, Aditya. आभाळाकडे बघितलं कि कळतं कि आपण त्याच्यासमोर किती छोटे आहोत.
Regional Languages are going to be big soon. Glad you reviewed this book. It’s time that Marathi literature got its due.
It is wonderful to see that regional literature is getting its due. Kudos on your review of a book which obviously impacted you positively.
Wonderful review… sounds like an interesting one.
It definitely is!
It is good to see that you are promoting the Marathi literature by reviewing Marathi books. Thank you for sharing it.
It is go good to see you review regional literature. There are often hidden gems that we barely know about. I hope the translated version was available. Would have loved to pick it up.
This seems a great book. Thanks for the detailed review… i would love to read, if available in English or hindi
That’s a detailed and well written review.
Unfortunately I do not know how to read Marathi, but the book sounds really interesting!
Khupach chan lihilays. Ata pustak tar ghayavach lagel.
नक्की घेऊन वाच! खूप कमाल आहे पुस्तक 👍🏾
Countryside is the actual heartbeat of the country’s rich culture and heritage with a story in every corner. looks a wonderful book to look at and hopefully available in English, until then, head over to the wonderful Countryside in Maharashtra to learn hands-on and experience it would be the next best wonderful opportunity
Vernacular books take us into the heart of diverse India. That’s a lovely review. Would love it read a translation in English if there is one.
As of now, there’s no translation available.