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A review by surabhichatrapathy
In a Violent Land by Suketu Mehta, Salam bin Razzaq, Mahasweta Devi, Vijaydan Detha, Harvinder Singh Phoolka, Sonia Faleiro, Khushwant Singh, Sanjoy Hazarika, Manoj Mitta, Anna Bhau Sathe, Shahnaz Bashir, Udayan Ghosh, Barkha Dutt
4.0
In a violent land is a collection of essays and short stories that stitch together the underbelly of Indian history. In popular discourse, India is presented as a peaceful nation. But what often gets covered up is the violence that premiates the many layers of Indian society.
The book brings together some of the finest writers of the country and their powerful stories speaking about the fault lines that define the country.
Be it partition, the emergency, the Sikh riots, the Bombay riots, Gujrat riots, the Babri Masjid riots etc. These stories and essays also weigh in how religion, the caste system are one of the biggest driving force of the violence in the country. It also weaves in the troubles surrounding gender, language and class.
For many of us who grew up in a sheltered and pervilaged environment, this collection is a strong insight into the lives of those who don't grow is such protected spaces.
An extremely powerful collection, it's a good reminder of our history, of how our State has failed in numerous instances to stand for its people, even worse at times perpetrate violence against civilians through an unaccountable and corrupt form of governance.
With the current political climate, that sits on the edge of violence and war constantly, I would urge each one of you to read this book and get some much needed perspective.
The book brings together some of the finest writers of the country and their powerful stories speaking about the fault lines that define the country.
Be it partition, the emergency, the Sikh riots, the Bombay riots, Gujrat riots, the Babri Masjid riots etc. These stories and essays also weigh in how religion, the caste system are one of the biggest driving force of the violence in the country. It also weaves in the troubles surrounding gender, language and class.
For many of us who grew up in a sheltered and pervilaged environment, this collection is a strong insight into the lives of those who don't grow is such protected spaces.
An extremely powerful collection, it's a good reminder of our history, of how our State has failed in numerous instances to stand for its people, even worse at times perpetrate violence against civilians through an unaccountable and corrupt form of governance.
With the current political climate, that sits on the edge of violence and war constantly, I would urge each one of you to read this book and get some much needed perspective.