A couple of minutes later, I returned my attentions and finally picked it up. Turning it over, I started reading the blurb. ``To save me from following in the foot steps of my older brothers who had taken the road to the next world, it was decided... to sell me as soon as I was born.'' That got my attention...I read on.
``As a child he was expelled from school; and as an adult, he defied every one's advice when he published stories on male homosexuality.'' BINGO!! Jackpot!!! I exulted.
The book was `About Me (apni khabar)' by Pandey Bechan Sharma 'Ugra' translated into English with an introduction by Ruth Vanita.
When it comes to books I am a firm believer in the maxim - ``Its not you who choose the book, its the book that chooses you''.
I have seen this in action over the years. I would walk past a shelf at a library or a book store a couple of times before I noticed that green hard cover cover peeking out invitingly.
In the last few years I have been actively seeking out gay fiction, so much so that, I venture towards straight works as an exception. (Of course, I will devour anything by Amitav Gosh). And, I pride myself and boast of having a very well developed gaydar when it comes to books (now, that's a topic for another blog). But in my heart of hearts I know, it comes out of years of practise of trying to fool the books hidden in the stacks into picking me up.
At the Strand book fest, I would preen and pose like a street walker, navigating the tables clothed in white and laden with books. Starting at the right side of the hall I would walk all the way to the other end of the room without much luck, then then retrace my steps back again. Before the end of that journey - yes, I hit pay dirt and I know I would be walking home with some one!
----------------------------------------------
All books that come to the office for review land up on the corner of the table next to me, after my colleague has read and wrote about it. So inevitably I get the first pickings.
More about the book:
http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/Bookdetail.aspx?bookId=6867
2 comments:
Sounds like an interesting book. Now I'm thinking how to get it. It's not an amazon -- and I can't seem to find it in the Columbia library either.
But I came across this (in the Columbia library):
Chocolate, and other writings on male-male desire / Pandey Bechan Sharma "Ugra" ; translated from Hindi and with an introducation by Ruth Vanita.
https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no45768.htm
http://www.oup.co.in/search_detail.php?id=143031
Ugra is a very interesting character. It seems Ruth Vanitha worked on chocolate first and then chanced upon his autobiography.
Ugra's writings do not celebrate or condone homosexuality; instead his writings contain quite graphic descriptions that end with the moral that its wrong - may be coz of the times it was written in.
Another interesting bit - chocolate created quite a furor - with even Mahatma Gandhi asked to intervene. The story goes that Gandhi read his book twice, but refused to condemn it.
I have placed an order for Chocolate at Strand. Let me know how the book is.
Post a Comment