A woman who speaks of women : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

VIGNETTES

A woman who speaks of women

Chandrarekha Dhadwal was born at Dharamsala, served there and retired from Government College, Dharamsala, as the head of Hindi department. Her pen is active and erudite. Her writings show that she is a feminist.

A woman who speaks of women

The two books by Chandrarekha Dhadwal; and the author herself.



Shriniwas Joshi

Chandrarekha Dhadwal was born at Dharamsala, served there and retired from Government College, Dharamsala, as the head of Hindi department. Her pen is active and erudite. Her writings show that she is a feminist. It is reflected in her novel ‘Samay Mere Anuroop Hua’ and the anthology of stories ‘Seevanein Udharti Huin’. Both these books were published in 2019 by Antika Prakashan, Ghaziabad, and costs Rs 250 and Rs 300, respectively.

‘Samay Maire Anuroop Hua’ is the story of a man whose first wife is dead leaving behind two sons. The man wants to marry again on the condition that to be the second wife, Venu, shall not bear any child and treat the sons from his first wife as her own. Venu’s mother and her brother were disturbed on hearing it. 

“Who deprives a woman from being a mother if she wants to be one?” the question pestered them. But Bhabhi’s dictum was final,” Is 42 an age to bear a child, Ammaa? It is enough that a man of standing is giving his name to your daughter. If it materialises then you have weathered the storm, Ammaa.” Venu ultimately was married to Siddharth. This shows the trend of male dominion in society; the general attitude of male towards female and the exploitation and discrimination faced by females. 

Here Chandrarekha speaks like Mary Ellman writing in ‘Thinking about Women’ or Germaine Greer in ‘The Female Eunuch’ and the reader is forced to think of the need for and ways of improving the condition of women. Chandrarekha says: “Ghar bus gayaa Siddharth kaa. Naukron ke sir par nahin chora jaa saktaa ji ghar, aajkal ke zamane mein. Chalo achha hua ladkon ke sir par maa kaa saayaa ho gayaa.” Venu thought: “I was crammed into the mould that everybody had readied according to the needs and wishes of Siddharth. None bothered about the cuts or scratches I faced while I was forced-fit into the mould.” The author believes that the desires and requirements of a female are not even considered, whereas the male gets priority everywhere. 

Generally woman follows the rut but Chandrarekha believes differently and through her writings addresses a woman to educate herself-educate her own judgments. Woman, be robust and individual, she says, and do not be moulded and patterned to fit into narrow and particular needs of society. It is one of the best novels that I have read in recent times. Chandrarekha has dedicated the book ‘to the fight for existence and the courageous efforts exploring their path.’ Could Venu’s efforts trace the path? Please read the book.

‘Seevanein Udharti Huin’ is an anthology of 19 stories. Seevan means seam or a stitch. Stitches of human relationship were undone, knowingly or unknowingly, in the stories here. When the old man, Papa of the household, fell ill, the roles of his daughters, sons and sons-in-law were unfolded showing the true colours of characters in the story carrying the same name as of the book. Her style of writing stories is rather heavy on the reader because her words are pedantic that come out automatically to her. 

Her constant use of ‘Sachh’ (truth) instead of ‘Sach’ irritates. It is a fact that an anthology, howsoever established the writer is, always has a mix of good and average stories, the same is in this anthology. There are many real good stories in the book, but I am mentioning a few. In ‘Kahan Dhoonde Re Bande’, Chaeeji’s character has been so well developed by the author that she deserves kudos for that. Chaeeji laments that moment, when Jagdutta had burnt Rafiq and his son alive during the Hindu-Muslim riots. She says in Punjabi, “Jiunde bande phook ditte. Tera ki khande the? O bhi taan Ramji de hi putt the.” (He burnt persons alive. Were they eating yours? After all, they were also the sons of Lord Ram. The best, however, comes when the author concludes the story and says: “Why is it that people whose conscious is so liberal, sensitive and objective have the right to cast only one vote?” In ‘Mere Liye Jio Papa’, Chandrarekha has picked up the theme of boys’ hostel in a college, where boys lock Mitthu in a room for the night to satisfy their sexual hunger. Mitthu’s mother could not bear it and committed suicide and the father eloped. His mobile was not working, so his relatives decided to give an advertisement in a local TV channel. Return was the request but the heartbreaking was a short note from Mitthu, ‘For me and living with me, come back please.’ Should not the story end here in the climax? But the author carried it to an anti-climax. The same is the fate of other good stories ‘Dharm ke liye hi to jaa rahi hun’ and ‘Aisi Sthitiyaan’. Notwithstanding, Chandrarekha has brought fresh flavour to the Himachali world of stories with new themes and new thoughts. 

TAILPIECE

“It’s like Tolstoy said. Happiness is an allegory, unhappiness a story.” – Haruki Murakami

Top News

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

US makes another remark on Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

US makes another remark on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes, s...

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, wife Gurpreet Kaur welcome baby girl

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann blessed with baby girl

Bhagwant Mann tied the knot with Dr Gurpreet Kaur from Pehow...


Cities

View All