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jainandsdiary 's review for:
A Touch of Salt
by Arunava Sinha, Anita Agnihotri
We do not often think about things that make our lives normal, say, for example, salt. We give it a thought when it is lacking or is present in excess in our food, or when we talk about Dandi March, but even then, we restrict it to the facts related to it and Mahatma Gandhi but never beyond it!
A Touch of Salt by Anita Agnihotri tries to break this tradition where she incorporates the famous Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi as a central theme, and waves a multi-generational saga. It shows the conditions of Agariyas, the salt harvesters of Runn of Kutch through Tribhuvan Patel, who ran away from his home to join the Salt March with the hope that it would be a battle that can help their community in their battle of life, in ensuring the basic necessities of water, food, shelter and education. And how even after generations—through the story of Azad, the grandchild of Tribhuvan—their battle continues with the industrialists, and the environmentalists in post independent India, as their land is claimed as 'reserved forest'.
I loved the way the author has drawn the parallels between the British rule and Indian government post-independence with the way they have treated the Agarias. The point of view of Kasturba Gandhi in between gives the voice to a character that is often shadowed in the light of Mahatma Gandhi and gives rise to some important arguments. The translation by Arunava Sinha is a delight to read and it beautifully compliments the sharp, yet subtle writing and themes explored by Agnihotri.
Overall, it's a deeply impactful novel that gives voice to the unheard and neglected part of the population, and is highly recommended.
A Touch of Salt by Anita Agnihotri tries to break this tradition where she incorporates the famous Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi as a central theme, and waves a multi-generational saga. It shows the conditions of Agariyas, the salt harvesters of Runn of Kutch through Tribhuvan Patel, who ran away from his home to join the Salt March with the hope that it would be a battle that can help their community in their battle of life, in ensuring the basic necessities of water, food, shelter and education. And how even after generations—through the story of Azad, the grandchild of Tribhuvan—their battle continues with the industrialists, and the environmentalists in post independent India, as their land is claimed as 'reserved forest'.
I loved the way the author has drawn the parallels between the British rule and Indian government post-independence with the way they have treated the Agarias. The point of view of Kasturba Gandhi in between gives the voice to a character that is often shadowed in the light of Mahatma Gandhi and gives rise to some important arguments. The translation by Arunava Sinha is a delight to read and it beautifully compliments the sharp, yet subtle writing and themes explored by Agnihotri.
Overall, it's a deeply impactful novel that gives voice to the unheard and neglected part of the population, and is highly recommended.