Scan barcode
swathiblogs's review
4.0
When I look back to the books I read last year, Rita Welinkar is one of the prominent highlights. I can't stop recommending it and Shanta Gokhale's work. Crowfall or Tya Varshi is her 2nd fiction(barring her play Avinash). The title is unusual considering it is not the translation of the Marathi title. But the context becomes clear few chapters into the book.
Crowfall follows an year in the life of a set of friends Anima, Ashesh, Haridas, Feroze, Sharada, Shekhar has and Janaki (who joins the group later). The story begins with Anima who is still haunted by her husband Siddharth's unexpected death years ago during the Mumbai riots. Ashesh, Animas brother is a painter struggling to complete his current work. Haridas and Feroze are painters as well, the former very flamboyant with a mysterious background while the latter thrives on his routine. Sharada is a classical singer exploring new avenues to her music with immense support from her husband Shekhar. She has a history with Haridas which is revealed over the course of the story. Janaki a journalist chances upon a meeting with Anima in local train and is drawn into the group.
Set in Mumbai, we follow around their lives ,particularly the art scene, media influence, political consequences. Chronicling their everyday journeys intertwined with their ambitions, griefs, memories . Anima and Ashesh are still trying to recover from their father's disappearance. We hear fondly of Anna , a Gandhian who strived for the betterment of his town Surgaon. Their mother is however polar opposite in views from Anna. Ashesh's past continues to cloud him and he very beautifully describes the color black in the book. I also learnt about the history of Warli art and the commercialization of the same.
Human emotions and art are the focus of the book. I have never been to Mumbai and this painted a beautiful picture of the city and the people for me. It very much felt like something I would reflect on years later with my friends looking back on our journey. Many of the incidents reflect the current society and talk about the turmoil of political situations. This book taught me to respect art and the thought process that goes behind it. I love the sensitivity with which Gokhale handles the plot without it deeming forceful. Highly recommend this book for its beautiful ode to Mumbai and its people.
Rating: 4.25/5
Crowfall follows an year in the life of a set of friends Anima, Ashesh, Haridas, Feroze, Sharada, Shekhar has and Janaki (who joins the group later). The story begins with Anima who is still haunted by her husband Siddharth's unexpected death years ago during the Mumbai riots. Ashesh, Animas brother is a painter struggling to complete his current work. Haridas and Feroze are painters as well, the former very flamboyant with a mysterious background while the latter thrives on his routine. Sharada is a classical singer exploring new avenues to her music with immense support from her husband Shekhar. She has a history with Haridas which is revealed over the course of the story. Janaki a journalist chances upon a meeting with Anima in local train and is drawn into the group.
Set in Mumbai, we follow around their lives ,particularly the art scene, media influence, political consequences. Chronicling their everyday journeys intertwined with their ambitions, griefs, memories . Anima and Ashesh are still trying to recover from their father's disappearance. We hear fondly of Anna , a Gandhian who strived for the betterment of his town Surgaon. Their mother is however polar opposite in views from Anna. Ashesh's past continues to cloud him and he very beautifully describes the color black in the book. I also learnt about the history of Warli art and the commercialization of the same.
Human emotions and art are the focus of the book. I have never been to Mumbai and this painted a beautiful picture of the city and the people for me. It very much felt like something I would reflect on years later with my friends looking back on our journey. Many of the incidents reflect the current society and talk about the turmoil of political situations. This book taught me to respect art and the thought process that goes behind it. I love the sensitivity with which Gokhale handles the plot without it deeming forceful. Highly recommend this book for its beautiful ode to Mumbai and its people.
Rating: 4.25/5
santreads's review
5.0
What a beautiful book! Brilliantly translated by the author itself. There's no 'plot' - it's just an unravelling of a bunch of friends lives in Bombay. They go back and forth in time. I absolutely love how Shanta Gokhale has depicted human emotions. So well done.
More people should read this book.
More people should read this book.
More...