• ISBN–13 : 978-9390327782
• Genre: Fiction, Anthology Short Stories, Translated Literature, Contemporary Fiction
• Publisher : Harper Collins India
• Price: INR 399/-

When Dhumketu’s first collection of short stories, Tankha, came out in 1926, it revolutionized the genre in India. Characterized by a fine sensitivity, deep humanism, perceptive observation and an intimate knowledge of both rural and urban life, his fiction has provided entertainment and edification to generations of Gujarati readers and speakers. Ratno Dholi brings together the first substantial collection of Dhumketu’s work to be available in English. Beautifully translated for a wide new audience by Jenny Bhatt, these much-loved stories – like the finest literature – remain remarkable and relevant even today.

Dhumketu was the pen name of Gaurishankar Govardhanram Joshi (1892-1965), one of the foremost writers in Gujarati and a pioneer of the short story form. He published twenty-four short story collections and thirty-two novels on social and historical subjects, as well as plays, biographies, memoirs, translations, travelogues, literary criticism, etc. Dhumketu was a contemporary of Rabindranath Tagore, Munshi Premchand and Saadat Hasan Manto, and his contributions to Indian literature are just as wide-ranging and groundbreaking.

Jenny Bhatt is a writer, translator and book reviewer. Her short story collection, Each of Us Killers, was critically well-received. Her writing has appeared in venues like The Atlantic, BBC Culture, The Washington Post, Literary Hub, Longreads, The Millions, Electric Literature, and others. Born and raised in Gujarat, India, she now resides in Texas, USA.

Growing up in Gujarat, I was introduced to Dhumketu’s work as a part of our curriculum. I fell in love with his style of narration and had read his works ( even outside the curriculum) till my college years. After that, as they say life happened. I moved out of Gujarat for professional reasons and my reading habits underwent a huge change. However, the liking for his writing was never forgotten.

So when I saw this book on my social media, I instantly knew I had to read it. It was like my favourite author recommending me another author whom I had to read. If you have been following my blog, you would know my love for translated literature so there was no way I would have missed reading this one.

Picking 26 stories from the wide range of stories that Dhumketu wrote ( close to 600!) is no mean feat. I must start by applauding author Jenny Bhatt for her choice of stories. The collection of stories presents Dhumketu as a diverse writer. Though he was primarily a Gujarati writer, his stories take us through the length and breadth of the country. They talk about life in the 1900s and cover a wide range of topics like casteism and gender. Life in a small town, replete with the challenges and the boon can be witnessed in his stories. With this book, Bhatt manages to recreate his magic immaculately.

Jenny Bhatt states this in her Translator’s Note in the book and it clearly reflects her love for languages and cultures. It would not be wrong to call this collection an extension of her love, for these lines are the core base of her work in this book. It reflects all throughout the stories.

With a stunning cover in bright hues depicting the titular story in the collection, Ratno Dholi, this book sets a tone for reader about what to expect from this collection. The stories within are evocative, thought-provoking and at the same time, saddening.

Traditionally I am not a Gujarati though I am born and brought up in Gujarat. My love for this language is way deeper than any of the languages I can speak. This is the language I resort to when I am angry, sad, happy or excited. So imagine my excitement when I find the local flavour of Gujarat sprinkled liberally in the stories to retain their originality! For me, this book has been more like a walk down the memory lane of the years spent in Gujarat.

The plotlines of these stories are largely predictable and might even make you wonder at the atrocities people went through in the name of caste and gender not many years ago. It particularly saddens my heart to see how certain things are still prevalent in our society along with misogyny and patriarchy. However, their narration is what makes them stand apart. The plot, descriptions and narrative arcs of every story is impressive.

Dhumketu’s stories remind you of Manto and Premchand’s writings. Hard hitting, heart-breaking and one that shows you the mirror – their stories always made you think. They had reality woven in fiction, slices of real life thrust open before us to gape at in shock with its ugliness intact.

At some places, I felt as if I was watching a Basu Chatterjee movie – strong enough to make me forget the sense of time and place and at the same time, simple enough to still manage to leave a feel-good feeling within, despite it not exactly being relevant to today’s times.

The beauty of short stories lies in the ability of a writer to present a complete universe in such few words. The short stories are a perfect example of that beauty. Each story is a world in itself. Dhumketu’s stories were always known for their unforgettable characters and that is a trait Bhatt carries forward brilliantly. She makes sure the characters are not reduced to mere caricatures who are lost in translation while giving prominence to the story. The characters in the story might move you and evoke compassion in your heart, but at the same time the narration continues to remain as it was – observant and distant.

These stories though written decades ago, still manage to conjure up a million emotions in the reader and that is what makes Dhumketu a master story-teller. Often while reading these stories you wonder if the progress we have made since has impacted us positively or not.

Need to add here, in an attempt to ensure originality, Jenny Bhatt has not only retained Dhumketu’s touch in the stories but has also managed to give these stories a uniqueness of her own. Weaving a tapestry of emotions, social issues and living conditions across a varied strata of the society, she conjures a collection of stories that can easily be called stellar.

I always believe every classic is like a time travelling machine which has the power to take us back in time and make us experience a life we couldn’t have experienced otherwise. And that is exactly how I felt after reading this book. A ticketless travel to a time where lives were simple and people, simpler.

Overall, a perfect dose of simplicity and nostalgia is how I would like to describe this collection. Definitely recommended to all short story lovers and people who enjoy translated literature. Dhumketu’s stories should not be missed!

Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu is a collection of short stories translated into English by Jenny Bhatt, featuring the works of Dhumketu, one of Gujarat’s most well-known and celebrated writers. Dhumketu (the pen name of Gunvant Shah) was an influential figure in Gujarati literature and was known for his skillful storytelling, his ability to capture the essence of human emotions, and his exploration of complex social issues.

This collection, Ratno Dholi, showcases his ability to weave compelling, thought-provoking narratives that delve into the nuances of life, relationships, and the human condition. Jenny Bhatt’s translation brings Dhumketu’s poignant stories to a wider audience, allowing English-speaking readers to experience the depth and beauty of his works.

Plot and Overview

The stories in Ratno Dholi reflect the cultural, social, and political landscape of early 20th-century India, while also providing timeless insights into the complexity of human relationships and emotions. The themes Dhumketu explores in his work are both universal and distinctly Indian, with each story touching on aspects of love, loss, morality, and societal norms.

While the collection includes a range of stories, each with its unique setting and characters, the underlying thread is Dhumketu’s deep empathy for human struggles, his exploration of moral dilemmas, and his portrayal of individuals caught in complex situations.

Some of the notable stories in Ratno Dholi include:

1. “Ratno Dholi” (The Story of Ratno)

The title story of the collection, Ratno Dholi, revolves around a young woman, Ratno, who is portrayed as a person full of life and dreams. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and societal pressures. Ratno is caught between her desires and the harsh realities of her life. The story is poignant and empathetic, showing the delicate balance between personal ambitions and the constraints imposed by family and society.

2. “The Barber’s Wife”

This story delves into the dynamics of a seemingly ordinary marital relationship, exploring themes of love, dissatisfaction, and hidden emotional truths. It’s a story about a woman’s internal conflict and the unspoken emotions that often lurk beneath the surface of daily life. Dhumketu’s depiction of the unvoiced desires and frustrations of ordinary people is a recurring motif in his stories.

3. “The False Altar”

In this story, Dhumketu examines the conflict between personal integrity and the need for social acceptance. The protagonist’s moral dilemma is reflected in the choices they must make, highlighting the tension between adhering to personal values and meeting societal expectations.

4. “The Thirst”

This short story is a commentary on the human condition, especially the concept of unfulfilled desires and longings. The characters in this story yearn for something more in their lives, and their thirst for something beyond what they have forms the emotional core of the narrative. It reflects the universal human experience of longing and the ways in which desires shape lives.

Themes

• Human Emotions and Relationships: Dhumketu’s stories are often about the quiet emotional struggles of ordinary people. Love, longing, desire, regret, and sacrifice are recurring themes. His characters are complex, and their emotional journeys are presented with deep empathy and understanding.

• Social Commentary: Many of Dhumketu’s stories tackle social issues, such as class disparities, gender expectations, and the constraints of traditional society. His works offer a critique of social norms, especially the treatment of women and the expectations placed on individuals based on their social status.

• Moral Dilemmas: In many of his stories, characters are faced with tough moral decisions, forcing them to choose between personal desires and societal expectations. These dilemmas often lead to complex emotional outcomes, and Dhumketu doesn’t shy away from depicting the contradictions and complexities inherent in human nature.

• Love and Sacrifice: Love is often portrayed as both a beautiful and painful experience. Dhumketu highlights the sacrifices people make for their loved ones and how love can be a transformative, yet sometimes destructive, force. His stories reflect both the joy and the heartache of human relationships.

• Life’s Ironies: Dhumketu frequently captures the ironies of life, where expectations and realities often clash. Characters often find themselves in situations that highlight the unpredictability and absurdity of life, reflecting the contradictions that define the human experience.

Writing Style

Dhumketu’s writing is both simple and profound. He has the ability to tell a story in a direct, straightforward manner while still capturing the deeper emotional and philosophical layers of human experience. His stories are grounded in realism, but they also contain an element of poignancy that transcends time and place.

Jenny Bhatt’s translation is noted for capturing the emotional depth and cultural nuances of the original Gujarati stories while making them accessible to English-speaking readers. The challenge of translating Dhumketu’s works lies in maintaining the beauty and subtlety of his prose, and Bhatt succeeds in bringing out the lyrical qualities of the stories without losing their essence.

Reception

Ratno Dholi received praise for bringing Dhumketu’s work to an international audience. Readers appreciated the depth of emotion and the complexity of characters in his stories. The stories have a timeless quality, and many readers found them to be emotionally resonant, despite the stories being written in a different cultural context. The translation allowed a new generation of readers to engage with Indian literature that deals with the human experience in a way that transcends cultural boundaries.

Conclusion

Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu is an outstanding collection for readers who enjoy literature that delves deeply into the emotional and moral complexities of life. Dhumketu’s stories are insightful, empathetic, and rich with social commentary. His ability to depict the ordinary struggles of human beings in a way that is both profound and relatable makes this collection a must-read for those interested in Indian literature and short stories in general.

Whether you’re new to Dhumketu or a long-time admirer of his work, Ratno Dholi offers a beautiful window into the heart of Indian storytelling and the timelessness of human emotions.

Would you like to discuss any of the individual stories from the collection or dive deeper into specific themes?