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Beneath the Simolu Tree
In a village in rural Assam, quiet, unassuming Paridhi grows up witnessing domestic violence at close quarters. The conservative society she inhabits, shapes and befuddles her. Her rebellion is silent—she submerges herself in a world of colour. Pebbles turn into objects of art in her hands. She writes and reads extensively to escape her cloistered life. But to what end? Is it really ever possible to escape one’s confines?
The house she’s lived in ever since her childhood, now infested with termites, is her responsibility now. With an ageing mother, an ailing uncle and an absentee brother, Paridhi feels like she has no one to depend on. Except perhaps Bondeep. But with passing time, there are growing concerns—will Bondeep’s family ever be able to accept her? She could always confide in the vivacious Juroni, her best friend, neighbour and confidant. But Juroni has secrets of her own, which she keeps close to her heart until the inevitable, devastating end.
Peopled with characters great and small, Beneath the Simolu Tree follows Paridhi as she navigates life, confronts injustices and comes out stronger but not embittered. Stories and realities are brought into sharp conflict in this tale of human yearning, as Pritam explores the depths of her innermost desires. At the heart of this novel lies the one question we spend our entire lives searching an answer for—what is it to love and be loved?
The house she’s lived in ever since her childhood, now infested with termites, is her responsibility now. With an ageing mother, an ailing uncle and an absentee brother, Paridhi feels like she has no one to depend on. Except perhaps Bondeep. But with passing time, there are growing concerns—will Bondeep’s family ever be able to accept her? She could always confide in the vivacious Juroni, her best friend, neighbour and confidant. But Juroni has secrets of her own, which she keeps close to her heart until the inevitable, devastating end.
Peopled with characters great and small, Beneath the Simolu Tree follows Paridhi as she navigates life, confronts injustices and comes out stronger but not embittered. Stories and realities are brought into sharp conflict in this tale of human yearning, as Pritam explores the depths of her innermost desires. At the heart of this novel lies the one question we spend our entire lives searching an answer for—what is it to love and be loved?
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 10, 2024
If life rains, I become a tree,
I write on my leaves
The story of water.
If life becomes a storm
I become a stone
I wrap within my heart
Stories of the ancient world.
Stories have always defined the soul of India; buzzing cities, singing villages, burning deserts, hissing forests, raging rivers, deep lakes, grave mountains, the cacophony of its thousand festivities, gods, deities, trees, colours, chants, cries, slogans, sighs, fights and rites they all carry the stench of the Indian spirit. Sarmistha Pritam’s Beneath the Simolu Tree (2024) (translated from Assamese by Ranjita Biswas, published by Simon and Schuster, India) captures one such tale, that explores the many ways that intertwine “Earth. (Hu)Man. Colour” in an endless loop of time.
Set in a quaint village of Assam and “[p]eopled with characters great and small, Beneath the Simolu Tree follows Paridhi as she navigates life. Confronts injustice and comes out stronger but not embittered. Stories and realities are brought into sharp conflict in this tale of human yearning, as Pritam explores the depths of her innermost desire. At the heart of this novel lies the one question we spend our entire lives searching an answer for – what is it to love and be loved?”
Pritam’s protagonist Paridhi is a “quite unassuming girl” whose childhood is marred with dark splotches of red: her mother’s forehead marked with vermillion, her beloved Anuja Khuri (aunty)’s blood-smeared face, the red coaches of the trains, and the tragically beautiful shade of the Simolu flowers.
Betrayed by her own father, who was supposed to be her strength and protector but instead chose to love alcohol over his family and turned into a violent monster every night, Paridhi loses her faith in her realities. Thus, she turns to nature - in a plastic box she kept Bhatkhila tree, Bokou Palm, Yellow Nahar flowers and Latumoni. Paridhi was also very fond of the red sandalwood seeds. She loved the sound of them sliding out of her palms, to her they looked like little hearts in orange mixed with red. She loved staring at the blue sky and ached to become a bird, she liked to stand in the shade of the Simolu tree that everyone believed was the “abode of burha-dangaria, the demigod” and many restless spirits. She painted on smooth round stones collected from the river bed in hopes of bringing the vibrancy of life to their drab existence.
After most of her family members died or left their native village Paridhi was burdened with the charge of their worn-out mud house along with her old widowed mother and senile “bordeuta” (uncle). Her life remained frighteningly confined to familial duties and small locality. Paridhi spent much of her time sitting on a bench in the railway station, staring longingly at the red-coloured trains wishing on one of them to go… “far, far away”.
As toiling as her path was, Paridhi still found some friends along the way — Juroni, her best friend, with whom she explored the jungles and its many fantastical tales; her Anuja Khuri (aunty) who introduced her to the world of books and how to draw strength from fictional characters; her Station Khura (uncle) who taught her all about painting brushes, colours and world-renowned artists; Bondeep, ‘her Brahmin lover’ whose sweet promises held little weight in front of his upper-class family’s rigid customs and traditions; and her mysterious friend Mayur who was obsessed with wild butterflies and cheesy poems. However, as the story comes to an end, none of them stay beside Paridhi, not even the giant, old-as-time Simolu tree that witnessed so much of her life. Yet, Pritam’s Paridhi resolves to keep on fighting against all odds —
““The caterpillar dies so the butterfly can be born.”
“Paridhi repeated the words to herself and got up. She walked slowly towards the fishplate that joined the tracks. The railway tracks reminded her that life meant forward movement. You never knew how far it went, what lay ahead. But there certainly was something that lay there. The prospect of discovering the unknown excited you enough to go on.”
The author brings to life the fascinating account of Paridhi’s journey, who despite being a helpless witness to domestic violence, rebels in silence – “she submerges herself in a world of colour. Pebbles turn into an object of art in her hands. She writes and reads extensively to escape her cloistered life.” This simple coming-of-age story of an otherwise ordinary girl like Paridhi promises comfort and validation to all the Paridhis out in the world, fighting their personal battles, both small and big. It attempts to celebrate the young minds who unceasingly borrow hope from the little mundane things of everyday life: from colours and stories and trees and clear blue skies. It is recommended as a light cosy reading that takes the readers through multiple heartaches but won’t leave with hopelessness at the end.
I write on my leaves
The story of water.
If life becomes a storm
I become a stone
I wrap within my heart
Stories of the ancient world.
Stories have always defined the soul of India; buzzing cities, singing villages, burning deserts, hissing forests, raging rivers, deep lakes, grave mountains, the cacophony of its thousand festivities, gods, deities, trees, colours, chants, cries, slogans, sighs, fights and rites they all carry the stench of the Indian spirit. Sarmistha Pritam’s Beneath the Simolu Tree (2024) (translated from Assamese by Ranjita Biswas, published by Simon and Schuster, India) captures one such tale, that explores the many ways that intertwine “Earth. (Hu)Man. Colour” in an endless loop of time.
Set in a quaint village of Assam and “[p]eopled with characters great and small, Beneath the Simolu Tree follows Paridhi as she navigates life. Confronts injustice and comes out stronger but not embittered. Stories and realities are brought into sharp conflict in this tale of human yearning, as Pritam explores the depths of her innermost desire. At the heart of this novel lies the one question we spend our entire lives searching an answer for – what is it to love and be loved?”
Pritam’s protagonist Paridhi is a “quite unassuming girl” whose childhood is marred with dark splotches of red: her mother’s forehead marked with vermillion, her beloved Anuja Khuri (aunty)’s blood-smeared face, the red coaches of the trains, and the tragically beautiful shade of the Simolu flowers.
Betrayed by her own father, who was supposed to be her strength and protector but instead chose to love alcohol over his family and turned into a violent monster every night, Paridhi loses her faith in her realities. Thus, she turns to nature - in a plastic box she kept Bhatkhila tree, Bokou Palm, Yellow Nahar flowers and Latumoni. Paridhi was also very fond of the red sandalwood seeds. She loved the sound of them sliding out of her palms, to her they looked like little hearts in orange mixed with red. She loved staring at the blue sky and ached to become a bird, she liked to stand in the shade of the Simolu tree that everyone believed was the “abode of burha-dangaria, the demigod” and many restless spirits. She painted on smooth round stones collected from the river bed in hopes of bringing the vibrancy of life to their drab existence.
After most of her family members died or left their native village Paridhi was burdened with the charge of their worn-out mud house along with her old widowed mother and senile “bordeuta” (uncle). Her life remained frighteningly confined to familial duties and small locality. Paridhi spent much of her time sitting on a bench in the railway station, staring longingly at the red-coloured trains wishing on one of them to go… “far, far away”.
As toiling as her path was, Paridhi still found some friends along the way — Juroni, her best friend, with whom she explored the jungles and its many fantastical tales; her Anuja Khuri (aunty) who introduced her to the world of books and how to draw strength from fictional characters; her Station Khura (uncle) who taught her all about painting brushes, colours and world-renowned artists; Bondeep, ‘her Brahmin lover’ whose sweet promises held little weight in front of his upper-class family’s rigid customs and traditions; and her mysterious friend Mayur who was obsessed with wild butterflies and cheesy poems. However, as the story comes to an end, none of them stay beside Paridhi, not even the giant, old-as-time Simolu tree that witnessed so much of her life. Yet, Pritam’s Paridhi resolves to keep on fighting against all odds —
““The caterpillar dies so the butterfly can be born.”
“Paridhi repeated the words to herself and got up. She walked slowly towards the fishplate that joined the tracks. The railway tracks reminded her that life meant forward movement. You never knew how far it went, what lay ahead. But there certainly was something that lay there. The prospect of discovering the unknown excited you enough to go on.”
The author brings to life the fascinating account of Paridhi’s journey, who despite being a helpless witness to domestic violence, rebels in silence – “she submerges herself in a world of colour. Pebbles turn into an object of art in her hands. She writes and reads extensively to escape her cloistered life.” This simple coming-of-age story of an otherwise ordinary girl like Paridhi promises comfort and validation to all the Paridhis out in the world, fighting their personal battles, both small and big. It attempts to celebrate the young minds who unceasingly borrow hope from the little mundane things of everyday life: from colours and stories and trees and clear blue skies. It is recommended as a light cosy reading that takes the readers through multiple heartaches but won’t leave with hopelessness at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
#BeneathTheSimoluTree was originally written in Assamese by the author Sarmistha Pritam. It was then translated into English by Ranjita Biswas. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy of this book!
Beneath The Simolu Tree is about Paridihi and her life, her thoughts, feelings, emotions; her relationships with other people around her and how it all affects her. In that sense, it also felt like a very slice-of-life work of literature and I treated it as such. I read it over a few days, without the usual speed at which I read other fictional works. This is a book that is to be read slowly and enjoyed in the meanwhile.
The book talks about a lot of things that feel very relatable. In that, it was as if a mirror had been placed before the reader, who could now read the same things from their life, written. The essence of Assam is overflowing in this book - be it the village life, the food descriptions, cooking, festivals, rituals and so on. Even the usual conversations among the people felt very real. The sulatations for how people are addressed have been kept as it is, meaning, say, "khura" (father's younger brother) has not be changed to simply "uncle". Moreover, reading about the geographical facts intertwined with mythology was also really fun and nostalgic in a way.
Through Paridhi's Bordeuta or Borta (father's older brother), we see impact of human mortality. As he grows older, he starts to forget a lot of things. The changes that come with old age are not easy to bear - neither for the person himself, nor the people taking care of him. We see the clash between love on the one hand, and on the other, the frustration that builds up within both parties.
Paridhi's life had some absentee figures as well - her drunkard father, the missing brother, her beau Bondeep and so on. It would have been perhaps better to have revealed what happened to them all earlier than the book did, because it felt like many facts were thrown at us quickly towards the end. A gradual revelation might have been better in this sense.
The political situation in Assam is also delved upon a bit - the struggle for sovereignity undert he ULFA, the impact it had on the villages of the people involved be it under them or the army, the rapes, the infamous bomb blasts in Guwahati and so on.
Women's conditions are also portrayed in various situations and conditions - her mother's as well as other women and their helplessness in the face of alcoholic men in their lives, abusive and cheating husbands; a society that is still conservative and backward in thinking and so on.
This is a very intrsopective novel and we are mostly inside Paridhi's mind only. However, there was no definite mentions of the timelines, which felt all over the palce and quite confusing. If the author intended a stream of consciousness method for this book, it could have been a lot smoother. The book also feels didactic at time, imploring over what one should or should not do. This is a very character driven book; there is no plot. And yet, even the character does not provide a very solid storytelling either. Parishi's character felt very passive to me - sometimes verging on self-pity without taking any assertive decisions. The conversations she had with the people also sometimes felt very artifical - nobody talks like that nowadays.
Read this book for the vibe. I would definitely suggest to take it at a slow pace considering it meanders a lot. I rated it 3 stars.
Beneath The Simolu Tree is about Paridihi and her life, her thoughts, feelings, emotions; her relationships with other people around her and how it all affects her. In that sense, it also felt like a very slice-of-life work of literature and I treated it as such. I read it over a few days, without the usual speed at which I read other fictional works. This is a book that is to be read slowly and enjoyed in the meanwhile.
The book talks about a lot of things that feel very relatable. In that, it was as if a mirror had been placed before the reader, who could now read the same things from their life, written. The essence of Assam is overflowing in this book - be it the village life, the food descriptions, cooking, festivals, rituals and so on. Even the usual conversations among the people felt very real. The sulatations for how people are addressed have been kept as it is, meaning, say, "khura" (father's younger brother) has not be changed to simply "uncle". Moreover, reading about the geographical facts intertwined with mythology was also really fun and nostalgic in a way.
Through Paridhi's Bordeuta or Borta (father's older brother), we see impact of human mortality. As he grows older, he starts to forget a lot of things. The changes that come with old age are not easy to bear - neither for the person himself, nor the people taking care of him. We see the clash between love on the one hand, and on the other, the frustration that builds up within both parties.
Paridhi's life had some absentee figures as well - her drunkard father, the missing brother, her beau Bondeep and so on. It would have been perhaps better to have revealed what happened to them all earlier than the book did, because it felt like many facts were thrown at us quickly towards the end. A gradual revelation might have been better in this sense.
The political situation in Assam is also delved upon a bit - the struggle for sovereignity undert he ULFA, the impact it had on the villages of the people involved be it under them or the army, the rapes, the infamous bomb blasts in Guwahati and so on.
Women's conditions are also portrayed in various situations and conditions - her mother's as well as other women and their helplessness in the face of alcoholic men in their lives, abusive and cheating husbands; a society that is still conservative and backward in thinking and so on.
This is a very intrsopective novel and we are mostly inside Paridhi's mind only. However, there was no definite mentions of the timelines, which felt all over the palce and quite confusing. If the author intended a stream of consciousness method for this book, it could have been a lot smoother. The book also feels didactic at time, imploring over what one should or should not do. This is a very character driven book; there is no plot. And yet, even the character does not provide a very solid storytelling either. Parishi's character felt very passive to me - sometimes verging on self-pity without taking any assertive decisions. The conversations she had with the people also sometimes felt very artifical - nobody talks like that nowadays.
Read this book for the vibe. I would definitely suggest to take it at a slow pace considering it meanders a lot. I rated it 3 stars.
June 26, 2024
As I am continuing to explore more Indian contemporary regional authors, got a chance to read Assamese literature, Beneath The Simolu Tree penned by Sharmistha Pritam. She is an award-winning contemporary author.
Let's talk about the book, this book is a vividly written poignant literary venture that explores rural Assamese sociology from 90' to today's life and mirroring true pictures of humanity that is a constant changing collage.
The narrative follows Paridhi, astonishing how once a howling tiger changed into the skeleton, her Bordeuta. In a village in rural Assam, quiet, unassuming Paridhi grows up witnessing domestic violence at close quarters. The conservative society she inhabits, shapes and befuddles her. Her rebellion is silent—she submerges herself in a world of colour. Pebbles turn into objects of art in her hands. She has a hidden dream to become a writer, and reads extensively to escape her cloistered life. But to what end? Is it really ever possible to escape one’s confines? The house she’s lived in ever since her childhood, now infested with termites, is her responsibility now. With an ageing mother, an ailing uncle and an absentee brother, Paridhi feels like she has no one to depend on.
Beneath the Simolu Tree follows Paridhi as she navigates life, confronts injustices and comes out stronger but not embittered. Stories and realities are brought into sharp conflict in this tale of human yearning, as Pritam explores the depths of her innermost desires.
From childhood, the raucous society, the men she has in her family, sowed a question in Paridhi 's heart, she wants to know what is love and be loved?
The book perfectly captured the innocently beautiful Paridhi and brilliantly depicted the montage of Indian society.
Highly recommended it if you like reading thoughtful contemporary literature that is able to deeply penetrate your heart
Let's talk about the book, this book is a vividly written poignant literary venture that explores rural Assamese sociology from 90' to today's life and mirroring true pictures of humanity that is a constant changing collage.
The narrative follows Paridhi, astonishing how once a howling tiger changed into the skeleton, her Bordeuta. In a village in rural Assam, quiet, unassuming Paridhi grows up witnessing domestic violence at close quarters. The conservative society she inhabits, shapes and befuddles her. Her rebellion is silent—she submerges herself in a world of colour. Pebbles turn into objects of art in her hands. She has a hidden dream to become a writer, and reads extensively to escape her cloistered life. But to what end? Is it really ever possible to escape one’s confines? The house she’s lived in ever since her childhood, now infested with termites, is her responsibility now. With an ageing mother, an ailing uncle and an absentee brother, Paridhi feels like she has no one to depend on.
Beneath the Simolu Tree follows Paridhi as she navigates life, confronts injustices and comes out stronger but not embittered. Stories and realities are brought into sharp conflict in this tale of human yearning, as Pritam explores the depths of her innermost desires.
From childhood, the raucous society, the men she has in her family, sowed a question in Paridhi 's heart, she wants to know what is love and be loved?
The book perfectly captured the innocently beautiful Paridhi and brilliantly depicted the montage of Indian society.
Highly recommended it if you like reading thoughtful contemporary literature that is able to deeply penetrate your heart
May 23, 2024
Beneath the Simolu Tree by Sarmistha Pritam is a poignant tale of life, death, and everything in between. The book is set in a small village of Assam and follows the story of a girl as she navigates life and it's complexities.
Paridhi is a hindi word which means limited, but reaching beyond borders and I think there couldn't be a better name for our protagonist. Her character stirred a myriad of emotions within me. I felt so overwhelmed by Paridhi's soliloquy. There were countless moments in this literary journey where I had to put the book aside to catch my breath.
The novel delves deep into the complexities of human desires, the resilience of the human spirit, and the eternal quest for love and belonging. In just a few pages the author has done a brilliant job in bringing out so much depth to the story.
The book also explores the healing power of art. I loved how Paridhi projected her pent up emotions through creative outlets. I also loved the atmosphere Pritam created through out the entire novel and the way she would explore deeply the smallest notions and ideas. Beneath the Simolu Tree is a brilliant novel that I think everyone should read.
Paridhi is a hindi word which means limited, but reaching beyond borders and I think there couldn't be a better name for our protagonist. Her character stirred a myriad of emotions within me. I felt so overwhelmed by Paridhi's soliloquy. There were countless moments in this literary journey where I had to put the book aside to catch my breath.
The novel delves deep into the complexities of human desires, the resilience of the human spirit, and the eternal quest for love and belonging. In just a few pages the author has done a brilliant job in bringing out so much depth to the story.
The book also explores the healing power of art. I loved how Paridhi projected her pent up emotions through creative outlets. I also loved the atmosphere Pritam created through out the entire novel and the way she would explore deeply the smallest notions and ideas. Beneath the Simolu Tree is a brilliant novel that I think everyone should read.
February 14, 2024
‘Beneath the Simolu Tree’ intricately explores Paridhi's tumultuous life marked by her father's alcoholism and abuse. Set in a rural village, the novel delves into themes of friendship, love, caste discrimination and the profound connection between humans and nature. Paridhi finds solace at the railway station and beneath the majestic Simolu tree. Despite societal barriers her love for Bondeep, a Brahmin defies caste norms. Pritam's sensitive portrayal of addiction and Paridhi's resilience through painting and storytelling add depth to the narrative. The novel is a poignant reflection on the complexities of rural life in India and the enduring power of hope amidst adversity.
March 23, 2024
DNF at 35%
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews