What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey
Rupi birthed her eldest son squatting in the middle of a paddy field, shin-deep in mud and slush. Soon after, Gurubari, her rival in love, gave her an illness that was like the alakjari vine which engulfs the tallest, greenest trees of the forest and sucks their hearts out. Now Rupi, once the strongest woman in her village, lives out her days on a cot in the backyard, and her life dissolves into incomprehensible ruin around her.
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey is the story of the Baskeys—the patriarch Somai; his alcoholic, irrepressible daughter Putki; Khorda, Putki’s devout, upright husband, and their sons Sido and Doso; and Sido’s wife Rupi. Equally, the novel is about Kadamdihi, the Santhal village in Jharkhand in which the Baskeys live. For it is in full view of the village that the various large and small dramas of the Baskeys’s lives play out, even as the village cheers them on, finds fault with them, prays for them, and most of all, enjoys the spectacle they provide.
An astonishingly assured and original debut, The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey brings to vivid life a village, its people, and the gods—good and bad—who influence them. Through their intersecting lives, it explores the age-old notions of good and evil and the murky ways in which the heart and the mind works.
WINNER OF THE SAHITYA AKADEMI YUVA PURASKAR 2015 IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
JOINT WINNER OF MUSE INDIA-SATISH VERMA YOUNG WRITER AWARD 2015, CATEGORY: FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HINDU PRIZE 2014
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CROSSWORD BOOK AWARD 2014 FOR BEST INDIAN FICTION
LONGLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2016
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey is the story of the Baskeys—the patriarch Somai; his alcoholic, irrepressible daughter Putki; Khorda, Putki’s devout, upright husband, and their sons Sido and Doso; and Sido’s wife Rupi. Equally, the novel is about Kadamdihi, the Santhal village in Jharkhand in which the Baskeys live. For it is in full view of the village that the various large and small dramas of the Baskeys’s lives play out, even as the village cheers them on, finds fault with them, prays for them, and most of all, enjoys the spectacle they provide.
An astonishingly assured and original debut, The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey brings to vivid life a village, its people, and the gods—good and bad—who influence them. Through their intersecting lives, it explores the age-old notions of good and evil and the murky ways in which the heart and the mind works.
WINNER OF THE SAHITYA AKADEMI YUVA PURASKAR 2015 IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
JOINT WINNER OF MUSE INDIA-SATISH VERMA YOUNG WRITER AWARD 2015, CATEGORY: FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HINDU PRIZE 2014
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CROSSWORD BOOK AWARD 2014 FOR BEST INDIAN FICTION
LONGLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2016
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
20 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar
11 books293 followersHansda Sowvendra Shekhar is the author of six books:
1. The Mysterious Ailment Of Rupi Baskey (a novel, published in 2014 by Aleph Book Company),
2. The Adivasi Will Not Dance (a collection of short stories, published in 2015 by Speaking Tiger),
3. Jwala Kumar and the Gift of Fire: Adventures in Champakbagh (a novel for children aged 9 years and above, with illustrations by Krishna Bala Shenoi, published in 2018 by Talking Cub, the children’s imprint of Speaking Tiger),
4. My Father's Garden (a novel, published in 2018 by Speaking Tiger),
5. Who’s There? (a book for children aged 5-6 years, with illustrations by Anupama Ajinkya Apte, published in 2020 by Duckbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House India), and
6. Sumi Budhi and Sugi (a book for Level 3 readers, with illustrations by Joanna Mendes, published in 2020 by Pratham Books),
translator of one:
1. I Named My Sister Silence (novel by Manoj Rupda, translated from Hindi, published in 2023 by Eka, an imprint of Westland Books),
and a number of other fiction and non-fiction works and Santali to English and Hindi to English translations.
More writings by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar may be found here: http://independent.academia.edu/Hansd... .
1. The Mysterious Ailment Of Rupi Baskey (a novel, published in 2014 by Aleph Book Company),
2. The Adivasi Will Not Dance (a collection of short stories, published in 2015 by Speaking Tiger),
3. Jwala Kumar and the Gift of Fire: Adventures in Champakbagh (a novel for children aged 9 years and above, with illustrations by Krishna Bala Shenoi, published in 2018 by Talking Cub, the children’s imprint of Speaking Tiger),
4. My Father's Garden (a novel, published in 2018 by Speaking Tiger),
5. Who’s There? (a book for children aged 5-6 years, with illustrations by Anupama Ajinkya Apte, published in 2020 by Duckbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House India), and
6. Sumi Budhi and Sugi (a book for Level 3 readers, with illustrations by Joanna Mendes, published in 2020 by Pratham Books),
translator of one:
1. I Named My Sister Silence (novel by Manoj Rupda, translated from Hindi, published in 2023 by Eka, an imprint of Westland Books),
and a number of other fiction and non-fiction works and Santali to English and Hindi to English translations.
More writings by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar may be found here: http://independent.academia.edu/Hansd... .
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 47 reviews
April 15, 2014
Rupi Baskey was the strongest woman in her village - until she began to go into a mysterious decline which little seemed to alleviate. A decline the roots of which spread (as did its branches) like a banyan tree: all across the family Rupi had married into, from her now alcoholic mother-in-law Putki, to her own stubborn firstborn Jaipal, who did not even regard Rupi as his mother. A decline that embraced and affected not just Rupi, but her family, her village, the people around her, not just in Kadamdihi but in Nitra too...
Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar's 'The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey' is set in Jharkhand, in a community largely of Santhals. While it is basically the story of Rupi Baskey, it is also a family saga of sorts, stretching back to pre-Independent India, and forward into the present. It's a story of the lives of the Santhals, their interactions within the community and without, but it's also a story, in its essence, of all the jealousies and rivalries, the humanity and love that is to be found in people, irrespective of anything.
I found this novel extremely absorbing, and very hard to put down. Though the ailment of its protagonist isn't really mysterious, what makes this a page-turner is the fact that it's so well-written and so well-plotted: I couldn't wait to read what happened next.
Highly recommended.
Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar's 'The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey' is set in Jharkhand, in a community largely of Santhals. While it is basically the story of Rupi Baskey, it is also a family saga of sorts, stretching back to pre-Independent India, and forward into the present. It's a story of the lives of the Santhals, their interactions within the community and without, but it's also a story, in its essence, of all the jealousies and rivalries, the humanity and love that is to be found in people, irrespective of anything.
I found this novel extremely absorbing, and very hard to put down. Though the ailment of its protagonist isn't really mysterious, what makes this a page-turner is the fact that it's so well-written and so well-plotted: I couldn't wait to read what happened next.
Highly recommended.
June 16, 2019
Having heard tales of black magic practice in the Konkan and Khandesh regions in my home state of Maharashtra, the concept wasn't new to me, but the story was very fresh and unique. Read on to know my thoughts about it.
I loved loved loved reading this book. I know I'll be recommending this to a lot of people. Indian writing at its finest, this was a unique story set outside cities, towns and swarming metros. If you want a taste of rural India, this is the book for you.
~
'The mysterious ailment of Rupi Baskey' is set in the East Singhbhum district of present day Jharkhand (a state in Eastern India). Rupi Baskey is known to be the strongest woman in the village of Kadamdihi, a Santhal village. She gave birth to her eldest son in a rice field. She moves with her husband, Sido, to the town of Nitra, where he works in a school. Her health begins to deteriorate slowly and mysteriously.
Rupi is an attractive woman, and has a simple temperament. People suspect the reason of her ailment is her husband's keep, Gurubari, who is his colleague's wife. She is a dahni (a practitioner of black magic).Her husband consults many doctors, who ultimately say that nothing is wrong with her physically, but the ailment is gnawing her insides slowly.
~
Apart from Rupi, the women characters are strongly written. The story also put the spotlight on dahni-bidya (black magic), myths, folklores and the songs in the Santhali language.
The start of the book is a little slow, but once you get past the initial pages, the book is hard to put down. I would advise to not read the book with an over analytical and critical mind, just go with the flow.
Hansda has brought to life the tribal culture of Jharkhand, since having first hand information about it. The Santhals are indeed exuberant people, with a solid social life, with eating, drinking and making merry. This book has it all, black magic, curses, counter curses and evils. I am thoroughly impressed. I also found many similarities in Hansda's and Perumal Murugan's writing and story telling style.
4/5⭐
I loved loved loved reading this book. I know I'll be recommending this to a lot of people. Indian writing at its finest, this was a unique story set outside cities, towns and swarming metros. If you want a taste of rural India, this is the book for you.
~
'The mysterious ailment of Rupi Baskey' is set in the East Singhbhum district of present day Jharkhand (a state in Eastern India). Rupi Baskey is known to be the strongest woman in the village of Kadamdihi, a Santhal village. She gave birth to her eldest son in a rice field. She moves with her husband, Sido, to the town of Nitra, where he works in a school. Her health begins to deteriorate slowly and mysteriously.
Rupi is an attractive woman, and has a simple temperament. People suspect the reason of her ailment is her husband's keep, Gurubari, who is his colleague's wife. She is a dahni (a practitioner of black magic).Her husband consults many doctors, who ultimately say that nothing is wrong with her physically, but the ailment is gnawing her insides slowly.
~
Apart from Rupi, the women characters are strongly written. The story also put the spotlight on dahni-bidya (black magic), myths, folklores and the songs in the Santhali language.
The start of the book is a little slow, but once you get past the initial pages, the book is hard to put down. I would advise to not read the book with an over analytical and critical mind, just go with the flow.
Hansda has brought to life the tribal culture of Jharkhand, since having first hand information about it. The Santhals are indeed exuberant people, with a solid social life, with eating, drinking and making merry. This book has it all, black magic, curses, counter curses and evils. I am thoroughly impressed. I also found many similarities in Hansda's and Perumal Murugan's writing and story telling style.
4/5⭐
September 19, 2019
While the beginning sucks you in, and occasionally reminds of great magical-realism novels with a similar intergenerational sweep, the latter half of the novel focuses too much on the dahni-bidya (witchery) of some of its characters. The pleasures of seeing un-rationalized mentions of supernatural events (eg. interacting with the devil while being out for a late-night piss), of learning the vocabulary of the belief systems that provide for them, and of witnessing their place in Adivasi society of different time periods -- the pleasures fade as the plot thickens more and more around particular aspects of the supernatural. This, and the fact that this thickening happens over decades, leaves the reader with the feeling of having witnessed something aleatory, in which the plot seems a bit too casual with its basic tenet, causality.
Hansda also has a somewhat strange way of writing about sex: 'he pumped into her', 'he was pumping', 'he went pump-pump-pump' -- the hydraulics reference, that too fetishizing a single word, seems to be the writer's stock phrase for describing intercourse.
Hansda also has a somewhat strange way of writing about sex: 'he pumped into her', 'he was pumping', 'he went pump-pump-pump' -- the hydraulics reference, that too fetishizing a single word, seems to be the writer's stock phrase for describing intercourse.
September 18, 2020
Beautiful.
January 28, 2014
This eminently readable tale takes readers into the little-known and mysterious world of the Santhal tribals of Jharkhand. The author,who has first-hand knowledge of this culture, brings this world to vivid life. Eating, drinking and merrymaking,rituals and festivities,are an integral part of the social life of these poor, uncomplicated and lively people.
The forests are populated with witches and spirits, demons and deities of the Santhals' animistic religion. They depend upon these spirits and deities to give them a sense of empowerment, which is denied to them by the existing political and social order.
The novel traces the lives of three generations of Rupi Baskey's clan. Rupi is an attractive, physically strong woman with a simple and generous disposition. Her strange and incurable ailment is a result of the efforts of others to exploit her, mirroring the plight of her people.The characters are well-drawn and the author succeeds in making us feel for them.
I don't want to give too much of the story away. Just want to say that I was fascinated by the story, and read it in one sitting. Highly recommended.
The forests are populated with witches and spirits, demons and deities of the Santhals' animistic religion. They depend upon these spirits and deities to give them a sense of empowerment, which is denied to them by the existing political and social order.
The novel traces the lives of three generations of Rupi Baskey's clan. Rupi is an attractive, physically strong woman with a simple and generous disposition. Her strange and incurable ailment is a result of the efforts of others to exploit her, mirroring the plight of her people.The characters are well-drawn and the author succeeds in making us feel for them.
I don't want to give too much of the story away. Just want to say that I was fascinated by the story, and read it in one sitting. Highly recommended.
December 6, 2019
Gorgeous, bewitching novel.
February 10, 2014
Hansda Sowendra Shekhar’s debut novel The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey is a loving and careful recounting of the Santhal way of life. Spanning several decades and four generations in the lives of the Hansda clan in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, the novel centres on the theme of dahni-bidya, or witchcraft, and traces the lives of the increasingly dysfunctional descendants of Somai-haram, the majhi of Kadamdihi village....READ THE COMPLETE REVIEW HERE:
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.a...
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.a...
March 21, 2017
Loved everything about this book except the way it ended (that is - loved 98% of it and the last 2% was like a rush rush job). Ah well, one can't have it all!
March 28, 2017
my interview with the writer:
https://michellewendydcosta.wordpress...
https://michellewendydcosta.wordpress...
December 3, 2018
Hansda Sowevendra Shekhar’s debut novel The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Basky is one book I will be recommending everyone who wants to read more of Indian writing that is set beyond bustling metros cities and the fast paced lives that people lead therein. This one is set in the East Singhbhum district of present day Jharkhand over various decades starting from pre Independent India. Though the book puts the spotlight on the Basky family of Kadamdihi village; the overall attempt is to look at the lives of people, their roots and history, their beliefs and practices, their journey in the rural hinterland, far from the ties of ‘modern practices’.
The book opens with Rupi Basky who is said to be the strongest woman in the village giving birth in the fields. Her health degenerates and everyone in the village suspects the way she sometimes reacts in the strangest of manners is due to the powers of her rival in love, a woman that her husband is having an affair with. Every one of the doctors that Rupi’s husband takes her to, says there is nothing physically wrong with her.
Apart from Rupi, the female characters in the book are not the typical subdued women but break stereotypes in the way they choose partners and certainly stand out. Their only fear is that of the strange powers of certain women in the village. The world of humans who believe in witches and demons and spirits on one hand and the subtle differences brought on by the shadow of different caste within the Adivasi community on the other hand is only slightly referenced but makes one think and despair over how the caste system in India.
The book opens with Rupi Basky who is said to be the strongest woman in the village giving birth in the fields. Her health degenerates and everyone in the village suspects the way she sometimes reacts in the strangest of manners is due to the powers of her rival in love, a woman that her husband is having an affair with. Every one of the doctors that Rupi’s husband takes her to, says there is nothing physically wrong with her.
Apart from Rupi, the female characters in the book are not the typical subdued women but break stereotypes in the way they choose partners and certainly stand out. Their only fear is that of the strange powers of certain women in the village. The world of humans who believe in witches and demons and spirits on one hand and the subtle differences brought on by the shadow of different caste within the Adivasi community on the other hand is only slightly referenced but makes one think and despair over how the caste system in India.
April 8, 2014
Mysterious, eerie and unputdownable, Shekhar has got it right. Those with an interest in India's tribals, their cultures, and their ways of life, should read this one.
January 3, 2020
After the first couple of chapters, this book is very difficult to put down. Initially, it took some getting used to because the author liberally peppers the narrative with Santhali expressions and concepts, sometimes without explaining what they are. Even so, after a certain point, you will get used to it and understand pretty much all of it. This is actually masterfully done, to be fair, since the author does not talk down to the reader and really attempts to bring the culture to life.
The story is phenomenal; I felt anger, helplessness, joy, and shock on behalf of the characters. None of the characters are simple and easy to understand. While I was initially rooting for Rupi, angered over the injustice that was happening with her, the author really tells the story in a way that it was difficult for me to truly hate those who were bad to Rupi. The book tells the story of black magic and witchery, something that irked me initially because of the reality of the matter. Witch killings used to be common in certain tribal areas, although the overexaggerated focus on the practice also tells of the way in which tribal practices are painted to be savage in the mainstream. It was so that those considered witches were the most oppressed women in the community, and those who were the most helpless were given this label and outcasted or killed brutally. The author paints a vivid picture which brings these stories to life - the superstitions, beliefs, folktales, and myths. But this does not mean that the author is not sensitive to all of the women in the stories.
This has been one of the better reads of the last year, I found, and I cannot wait to read more books by the author.
The story is phenomenal; I felt anger, helplessness, joy, and shock on behalf of the characters. None of the characters are simple and easy to understand. While I was initially rooting for Rupi, angered over the injustice that was happening with her, the author really tells the story in a way that it was difficult for me to truly hate those who were bad to Rupi. The book tells the story of black magic and witchery, something that irked me initially because of the reality of the matter. Witch killings used to be common in certain tribal areas, although the overexaggerated focus on the practice also tells of the way in which tribal practices are painted to be savage in the mainstream. It was so that those considered witches were the most oppressed women in the community, and those who were the most helpless were given this label and outcasted or killed brutally. The author paints a vivid picture which brings these stories to life - the superstitions, beliefs, folktales, and myths. But this does not mean that the author is not sensitive to all of the women in the stories.
This has been one of the better reads of the last year, I found, and I cannot wait to read more books by the author.
May 31, 2021
Steeped in folkore and rich in cultural details of the Santhal community of Jharkhand, Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar's debut is a fascinating family saga touching upon myriad of themes - witchcraft, misogyny, patriarchy, internalized patriarchy, societal hierarchies, sense of community, and motherhood.
While I found the narrative to be disjointed, Shekhar's strong prose and sense of storytelling hooks you from page one. He doesn't shy away from using colloquialisms; his writing generously peppered with santhali language. However, I do wish he'd provided translations for the dialogues (he provides translations in some places, not in most); I had to rely on the context to glean what they could mean and I didn't really care much for that. Plus that one super explicit sex scene - I am still wondering what the point of that was, considering it neither featured the main cast of characters nor added anything to the plot.
Another peeve I had with this book was the hurried ending. Things are going downhill, until, suddenly they are not? Everything is neatly and conveniently tied up. Yet there are so many questions you, as a reader, are left with - What happened to Gurubari? Why did she decide to stop interfering with the Baskey family? How does Rupi go from being bed ridden to be able to walk around?
These of course, are minor complaints. The book, overall, is quite impressive and one I'd highly recommend for fans of literary fiction and those looking to read a good Indian writing in English novel.
While I found the narrative to be disjointed, Shekhar's strong prose and sense of storytelling hooks you from page one. He doesn't shy away from using colloquialisms; his writing generously peppered with santhali language. However, I do wish he'd provided translations for the dialogues (he provides translations in some places, not in most); I had to rely on the context to glean what they could mean and I didn't really care much for that. Plus that one super explicit sex scene - I am still wondering what the point of that was, considering it neither featured the main cast of characters nor added anything to the plot.
Another peeve I had with this book was the hurried ending. Things are going downhill, until, suddenly they are not? Everything is neatly and conveniently tied up. Yet there are so many questions you, as a reader, are left with - What happened to Gurubari? Why did she decide to stop interfering with the Baskey family? How does Rupi go from being bed ridden to be able to walk around?
These of course, are minor complaints. The book, overall, is quite impressive and one I'd highly recommend for fans of literary fiction and those looking to read a good Indian writing in English novel.
June 3, 2021
I grew up hearing stories about the tribal communities that occupy the same hills as I do. A number of these tales originated from friends from different parts of The Nilgiris, a few elders who knew me through my parents and others through my grand parents themselves. Some of these stories revolved around beliefs and superstitions around certain aspects of their day to day life, while others were mostly folklore centered around spirits of the wild and magic that should not be acted upon. I remember bunk beds in hostel where my friend would tell us a story about two warring tribes and them partaking in a ritual, and while it did bring shudders and nightmares to everyone listening, we stayed late every night, excited to listen to something new.
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey brought back those nights in one swooping moment, embraced me with a touch of spriggan youth and took me on a road that was mysterious and familiar all the same. Handsa Sowvendra Shekhar uses his best yet a chaotic thread as a narrative to tell us a tale about Rupi Baskey and an ailment that none of the doctors can explain. But before we even get to Rupi, the strongest woman in the village, we are giving a detailed look into the Santhals and their way of life.
One important thing that you have to remember is culture cannot be separated from myths and beliefs. Reading the book delves into Santhal mythology, their folkore, their pantheon of gods, witch craft, black magic and how all of these things impact their life on a day to day basis.
Shekhar brings to life a culture that is seldom represented and spins a beautiful tale filled with suspense, humour, magic realism, sex, politics and romance. The way the book pushed me through something unreal only let my imagination play the artist. Though the political history of the state is mentioned, it takes a back seat as characters drive the tale forward, creating touchpoints of human interactions within their community.
The tale is raw, impressive and wildly creative. I found it absolutely entertaining, educational and downright amazing! I definitely recommend it if you, like me are a lover of stories filled with awe and intrigue!
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey brought back those nights in one swooping moment, embraced me with a touch of spriggan youth and took me on a road that was mysterious and familiar all the same. Handsa Sowvendra Shekhar uses his best yet a chaotic thread as a narrative to tell us a tale about Rupi Baskey and an ailment that none of the doctors can explain. But before we even get to Rupi, the strongest woman in the village, we are giving a detailed look into the Santhals and their way of life.
One important thing that you have to remember is culture cannot be separated from myths and beliefs. Reading the book delves into Santhal mythology, their folkore, their pantheon of gods, witch craft, black magic and how all of these things impact their life on a day to day basis.
Shekhar brings to life a culture that is seldom represented and spins a beautiful tale filled with suspense, humour, magic realism, sex, politics and romance. The way the book pushed me through something unreal only let my imagination play the artist. Though the political history of the state is mentioned, it takes a back seat as characters drive the tale forward, creating touchpoints of human interactions within their community.
The tale is raw, impressive and wildly creative. I found it absolutely entertaining, educational and downright amazing! I definitely recommend it if you, like me are a lover of stories filled with awe and intrigue!
May 4, 2021
" Ho Santar Mahalay Munda
Abo Jhoro Bowar Runda" ( We all purr together like the Civet we call the Runda)
Best thing about the book is how the author provides us detailed account of the customs, beliefs, folklore and culture of Santhals from the Chota-Nagpur belt through this novel. I loved the core theme of the book which runs on people's beliefs with respect to occult practices.
One minor drawback is that it requires some familiarity or some Google searches in the middle of the read to get comfortable with the words presented by the author.(Examples: Sarna, Santhali, different tribes names, Haandi)
Apart from that, this is a must read and a recommended read for a theme on rich Indian Literature with specific emphasis on rich and diverse tribal culture of our country.
Abo Jhoro Bowar Runda" ( We all purr together like the Civet we call the Runda)
Best thing about the book is how the author provides us detailed account of the customs, beliefs, folklore and culture of Santhals from the Chota-Nagpur belt through this novel. I loved the core theme of the book which runs on people's beliefs with respect to occult practices.
One minor drawback is that it requires some familiarity or some Google searches in the middle of the read to get comfortable with the words presented by the author.(Examples: Sarna, Santhali, different tribes names, Haandi)
Apart from that, this is a must read and a recommended read for a theme on rich Indian Literature with specific emphasis on rich and diverse tribal culture of our country.
January 2, 2022
3 stars does not do justice but neither does 4.
The first half of the book was superb! It got me interested to no end. However, the second half felt slightly dragged and over indulgenced in the 'witchcraft' sphere. Nonetheless, a massively enjoyable read and an excellent one to end my year with.
The first half of the book was superb! It got me interested to no end. However, the second half felt slightly dragged and over indulgenced in the 'witchcraft' sphere. Nonetheless, a massively enjoyable read and an excellent one to end my year with.
February 28, 2020
A good and vivid picture of adivasis life but I think the author has promoted superstitions. The ojhas seemed to know everything, power of witches and more. Seems to me that it sends a wrong message. 2.5/5
November 1, 2020
A very realistic plot with in-depth details on the lifestyle and culture of Jharkhand villages. Very good debut.
May 27, 2024
4.5/5. A masterpiece, in many ways.
February 27, 2024
Rich descriptions, complex characters, and a story that oscillates between reality and magical realms - the book is forever foregrounded in a political and social context. A cohesive and powerful story that held my interest across all generations and households in the book.
July 13, 2017
The book tells a story rooted in the Santhal life and area without turning into a story of friction and exploitation. In fact the outsiders remain mostly out of the story. Which is a great thing! Because while exploitation by the state and by private powers has been a major theme in Aadiwasi life since British times, their society has its own rhythm of traditions and change. Something that comes across nicely in this book. Perhaps there can be a generalized Bechdel Test which can be applied to stories about various groups or communities. Do the people in the story talk to each other about things other than those involving a dominant third party?
October 12, 2022
The Book That Flashes Before Your Eyes at 3AM
I have a confession. I’ve been averse to Indian fiction for a decade.
My first encounter with Indian writing was The Artist of Disappearance by Anita Desai. I was in college and boy did I struggle to understand the writing or the context. After that, I picked up Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Same. Then I picked up the celebrated God of Small Things.
Same.
Now, I grew up reading the likes of Stephen King, Sidney Sheldon, Lee Child and Ken Follet. American towns, European settings, straight-forward plots, and sizzling suspense felt more at home.
I bit my own toe off when I picked up One Night At The Call Centre by Chetan Bhagat (do not get me started on that one!). Immediately, my young-adult-brain swore off Indian fiction for good.
In hindsight, I realise that my tryst with Indian fiction was dangerously akin to the trajectory of my dating life. The ones I attracted were basic boys while the ones I was attracted to were too cerebral to handle.
Sigh.
Anyway, in the wake of my debut novella’s release this fall, I decided to deep-dive into the Indian fiction scene again. Check out the local competition, y’know?
I’m blown away. Up in the air. Like a stray polybag. Filled with invisible wonder. Soaring in the sky. Grazing against rooftops. Pushed further by a surprised flap of wings. Still fattened with intangible elixir. Of hope and love, excitement and despair.
My first pick was The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey. The author, Hansda Sowendra Shekhar, is a doctor working with the government. Being a tribal himself (and I say ir with pride — please no cultural attacks), his writing is loaded with deep insight into his people.
Like Orhan Pamuk, Hansda writes only about what he knows by heart. He writes about villages he grew up in, forests he wandered in, and rivers he had to cross in scary, moonless nights.
Here’s what I loved about the novel.
The Plot:
The story is a multi-generational saga about the women who walk into the prestigious tribal clan — the Baskeys — by marriage. The characters belong to the Santhal tribe, an ethnic group native to east-India. Hansda begins with the protagonist, Rupi Baskey, the daughter-in-law of the family who gives birth in a rice field.
Rupi is strong, fair skinned, and thin. She is one of the best looking women in the village. She works hard in the fields and keeps an immaculate home. But then one day, Rupi falls on the cot with a strange illness that cannot be cured by doctors. The story starts with her ailment and branches off to other women of the Baskey clan and how they view Rupi’s mysterious ailment.
The Characters:
Though the clan belongs to men, the star cast is entirely female. The story essentially revolves around the protagonists Rupi, her rival and best friend, Gurubari, Rupi’s alcoholic mother-in-law Putki, Pukti’s best friend and heartbreak, Della, and other women of the village.
What’s unique about this story is that here, the community is an important character of the story. The events of the Baskey clan unravel in front of the village women and everyone watches with eager eyes.
Make no mistake, this novel is about black magic. Who-does-what will turn into a spoiler so I’ll let you unravel it for yourself. But it’s the un-alive characters of the book who stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
There’s a scene in the novel where Rupi wakes up to go to the garden for a nocturnal pee. They didn’t have toilets in the village then. She squatted behind a bush and noticed this man walking around her house. He was painted jet black and taller than the house.
That scene, in all its mundanity, is terrifying.
The novel is peppered with similar eye-popping events. Women dancing in circles on moonless nights, reaching down and stuffing their faces with… something. Men frozen knee-deep in river in the middle of a forest. Babies gone missing. Little white children swinging in lawns at midnight. Women with rolling eyes.
Creepy delicious.
The Writing:
Hansda’s writing is effortless and elegant. There are a lot of tribal words used which further elevate the story.
The story is divided into chapters from each character’s POV. The novel frequently goes into non-linear timelines but they’re easy to follow. Hansda goes into enough detail to give the right context but no more. So, there’s this sense of mystery that sits on your shoulder and travels with you as you turn another page.
The Mileu:
Perhaps the most important character of this novel is the tribal culture. The Santhalese people, their traditions, their poems, their dances, their dressing, their paddy fields, their festivals, their jungles, their Gods, and their rivers are all as much a part of the story as Rupi herself. And this is what gives this novel a rare sheen that you only see once in a while.
Hansda brings about scenes of tribal dance-and-song and ritual worship with great reverence. Being a Santhali himself, Hansda calls the reader home and shows him the history of his people and their cultural and political struggles. It gives his work a distinct edge, and for me, a sweet sonder about how diverse people’s lives can be.
Final Thoughts:
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey was Hansda’s debut work. For this work, Hansda won the Yuva Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015. The novel was shortlisted for the Hindu Literary Prize and longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award.
This story deserves its accolades. And much more.
I have a confession. I’ve been averse to Indian fiction for a decade.
My first encounter with Indian writing was The Artist of Disappearance by Anita Desai. I was in college and boy did I struggle to understand the writing or the context. After that, I picked up Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Same. Then I picked up the celebrated God of Small Things.
Same.
Now, I grew up reading the likes of Stephen King, Sidney Sheldon, Lee Child and Ken Follet. American towns, European settings, straight-forward plots, and sizzling suspense felt more at home.
I bit my own toe off when I picked up One Night At The Call Centre by Chetan Bhagat (do not get me started on that one!). Immediately, my young-adult-brain swore off Indian fiction for good.
In hindsight, I realise that my tryst with Indian fiction was dangerously akin to the trajectory of my dating life. The ones I attracted were basic boys while the ones I was attracted to were too cerebral to handle.
Sigh.
Anyway, in the wake of my debut novella’s release this fall, I decided to deep-dive into the Indian fiction scene again. Check out the local competition, y’know?
I’m blown away. Up in the air. Like a stray polybag. Filled with invisible wonder. Soaring in the sky. Grazing against rooftops. Pushed further by a surprised flap of wings. Still fattened with intangible elixir. Of hope and love, excitement and despair.
My first pick was The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey. The author, Hansda Sowendra Shekhar, is a doctor working with the government. Being a tribal himself (and I say ir with pride — please no cultural attacks), his writing is loaded with deep insight into his people.
Like Orhan Pamuk, Hansda writes only about what he knows by heart. He writes about villages he grew up in, forests he wandered in, and rivers he had to cross in scary, moonless nights.
Here’s what I loved about the novel.
The Plot:
The story is a multi-generational saga about the women who walk into the prestigious tribal clan — the Baskeys — by marriage. The characters belong to the Santhal tribe, an ethnic group native to east-India. Hansda begins with the protagonist, Rupi Baskey, the daughter-in-law of the family who gives birth in a rice field.
Rupi is strong, fair skinned, and thin. She is one of the best looking women in the village. She works hard in the fields and keeps an immaculate home. But then one day, Rupi falls on the cot with a strange illness that cannot be cured by doctors. The story starts with her ailment and branches off to other women of the Baskey clan and how they view Rupi’s mysterious ailment.
The Characters:
Though the clan belongs to men, the star cast is entirely female. The story essentially revolves around the protagonists Rupi, her rival and best friend, Gurubari, Rupi’s alcoholic mother-in-law Putki, Pukti’s best friend and heartbreak, Della, and other women of the village.
What’s unique about this story is that here, the community is an important character of the story. The events of the Baskey clan unravel in front of the village women and everyone watches with eager eyes.
Make no mistake, this novel is about black magic. Who-does-what will turn into a spoiler so I’ll let you unravel it for yourself. But it’s the un-alive characters of the book who stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
There’s a scene in the novel where Rupi wakes up to go to the garden for a nocturnal pee. They didn’t have toilets in the village then. She squatted behind a bush and noticed this man walking around her house. He was painted jet black and taller than the house.
That scene, in all its mundanity, is terrifying.
The novel is peppered with similar eye-popping events. Women dancing in circles on moonless nights, reaching down and stuffing their faces with… something. Men frozen knee-deep in river in the middle of a forest. Babies gone missing. Little white children swinging in lawns at midnight. Women with rolling eyes.
Creepy delicious.
The Writing:
Hansda’s writing is effortless and elegant. There are a lot of tribal words used which further elevate the story.
The story is divided into chapters from each character’s POV. The novel frequently goes into non-linear timelines but they’re easy to follow. Hansda goes into enough detail to give the right context but no more. So, there’s this sense of mystery that sits on your shoulder and travels with you as you turn another page.
The Mileu:
Perhaps the most important character of this novel is the tribal culture. The Santhalese people, their traditions, their poems, their dances, their dressing, their paddy fields, their festivals, their jungles, their Gods, and their rivers are all as much a part of the story as Rupi herself. And this is what gives this novel a rare sheen that you only see once in a while.
Hansda brings about scenes of tribal dance-and-song and ritual worship with great reverence. Being a Santhali himself, Hansda calls the reader home and shows him the history of his people and their cultural and political struggles. It gives his work a distinct edge, and for me, a sweet sonder about how diverse people’s lives can be.
Final Thoughts:
The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey was Hansda’s debut work. For this work, Hansda won the Yuva Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015. The novel was shortlisted for the Hindu Literary Prize and longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award.
This story deserves its accolades. And much more.
April 18, 2016
Witches, curses, gods and evils. A wonderful from a part of country which isn't written about much, about a people whose culture and lives are mostly not talked about.
January 23, 2020
This book is based on the Santhal tribes of Kolhan division (area nearby Jamshedpur/TATA) of present Jharkhand state. I felt a deep connection with the book as I've been born and brought up in a tribal majority village of South Chhota Nagpur of present Jharkhand.
The author himself is a tribe of that area and so he has 1st hand information of the culture of tribes. Santhali words have been used at many places and readers may find it difficult to guess the meaning but it doesn't affect the flow of story. In fact, such liberal use of Santhali words help to connect with the place where the events are taking place.
The story of this novel is woven with the threads of changes taking places in culture, religious practices and socio-politico-economic status of Santhal tribes. Time era of the novel spans from pre-independence period to current period covering the four generations of the protagonist Rupi Baskey right from her grandfather-in-law to her sons' family.
The newly wed Rupi is the strongest women, as per physique, in the village. Her in-laws family is the most respectble family of the village. But with time she becomes bed ridden and the family also loses its shine. Black magic (dahini-vidya) is considered as the reason behind all this misery which is being practiced by some women of the village. The villagers, who have witnessed the rise and downfall of family, sometimes sympathise with family, at times find it entertaining and on some occasions comes for support too.
Non of the allopathic, homeopath or ayurvedic doctors of nearby area are able to find cure for the mysterious ailment which is crippling the once strongest lady. Even the Ojha, who cures the ailments caused by black-magic, surrenders to the might of the lady who was supposed to behind all this problems.
Towards the end of novel, which is bit hurriedly wrapped up by author, readers get a clue about the mysterious ailment of protagonist and the reason behind so many women from the Santhal villages being branded as Dahini (one who performs black magic).
The novel makes one glued to it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
The author himself is a tribe of that area and so he has 1st hand information of the culture of tribes. Santhali words have been used at many places and readers may find it difficult to guess the meaning but it doesn't affect the flow of story. In fact, such liberal use of Santhali words help to connect with the place where the events are taking place.
The story of this novel is woven with the threads of changes taking places in culture, religious practices and socio-politico-economic status of Santhal tribes. Time era of the novel spans from pre-independence period to current period covering the four generations of the protagonist Rupi Baskey right from her grandfather-in-law to her sons' family.
The newly wed Rupi is the strongest women, as per physique, in the village. Her in-laws family is the most respectble family of the village. But with time she becomes bed ridden and the family also loses its shine. Black magic (dahini-vidya) is considered as the reason behind all this misery which is being practiced by some women of the village. The villagers, who have witnessed the rise and downfall of family, sometimes sympathise with family, at times find it entertaining and on some occasions comes for support too.
Non of the allopathic, homeopath or ayurvedic doctors of nearby area are able to find cure for the mysterious ailment which is crippling the once strongest lady. Even the Ojha, who cures the ailments caused by black-magic, surrenders to the might of the lady who was supposed to behind all this problems.
Towards the end of novel, which is bit hurriedly wrapped up by author, readers get a clue about the mysterious ailment of protagonist and the reason behind so many women from the Santhal villages being branded as Dahini (one who performs black magic).
The novel makes one glued to it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
January 6, 2018
My younger days were spent in the erstwhile Santhal Pargana. Having friends and teachers from Hansda, Tudu, Murmu, Kisku, Tigga families and seen the beautiful Santhal girls going in groups for Baha or Karma pujo, dressed in spotless white sarees worn mid-calf, well oiled hair neatly tied in a bun invariably with a bloom of hibiscus or Palash tucked in it, the story felt very close to my heart. Having heard the sonorous music and the beat of the madal in the nights after going to bed I could relate to the happenings and people in the book very closely.
It's not only the story of Rupi Baskey but of her family, the villages, the society she lives in, the myths and folklores, the omens and superstitions and belief, which made a Santhal's simple life com plete. Do not read the book with the eyes of a modern person or be analytical with a scientific mind, just flow with the story, you are sure to like it.
Things have changed a lot since the times of Rupi Baskey but the book made me feel the rhythm of their dance, the heady fragrance of the Mahua bloom and lilting song with the beats of madal.
It's not only the story of Rupi Baskey but of her family, the villages, the society she lives in, the myths and folklores, the omens and superstitions and belief, which made a Santhal's simple life com plete. Do not read the book with the eyes of a modern person or be analytical with a scientific mind, just flow with the story, you are sure to like it.
Things have changed a lot since the times of Rupi Baskey but the book made me feel the rhythm of their dance, the heady fragrance of the Mahua bloom and lilting song with the beats of madal.
October 25, 2018
A friend and his wife gifted me this book when I visited their place. I had been wanting to read Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar after I heard a lot about his 'The Adivasi Will Not Dance'. I haven't got around to reading that yet but I absolutely loved reading this one.
A story of three generations of a Santhal family in Jharkhand replete with witch-craft, age-old traditions and gods, and fantasy elements is beautifully narrated and engrossing right from the first word. All the characters, especially Putki and Rupi, are wonderfully etched. The descriptions of the Adivasi way of life are intense and fascinating.
My only complaint was towards the end, the author wrapped up the story in a hurry. Or maybe the book was so amazing that I felt it should have just gone on and on.
If you love a good regional literature, this is where you turn to!
A story of three generations of a Santhal family in Jharkhand replete with witch-craft, age-old traditions and gods, and fantasy elements is beautifully narrated and engrossing right from the first word. All the characters, especially Putki and Rupi, are wonderfully etched. The descriptions of the Adivasi way of life are intense and fascinating.
My only complaint was towards the end, the author wrapped up the story in a hurry. Or maybe the book was so amazing that I felt it should have just gone on and on.
If you love a good regional literature, this is where you turn to!
March 22, 2020
I failed to like even an iota of this novel. I picked up this book out of curiosity to know about the tribal ways of life. The writer himself belongs to the tribal community, so I expected at least some insight into their lifestyle. But the whole plot revolves around the Santhal's belief in witchcraft and attempts to make the reader believe in the same.
Rupi Baskey, the protagonist of the story, suffers from a mysterious illness which doctors fail to cure. Only an ojha is qualified enough to cure her. Our country is already replete with superstitious people and this kind of book only helps to reaffirm their superstitions. I feel reading this book has been a total waste of time.
One star rating for the author's fluent writing style.
Rupi Baskey, the protagonist of the story, suffers from a mysterious illness which doctors fail to cure. Only an ojha is qualified enough to cure her. Our country is already replete with superstitious people and this kind of book only helps to reaffirm their superstitions. I feel reading this book has been a total waste of time.
One star rating for the author's fluent writing style.
March 11, 2020
The story takes place in Santal village in Jharkand. There are elements of witchcraft, folk, traditions and the life of women. Sekhar's book sounded to me like a criticism towards how the people from outside see the struggles and sufferings of community. Especially when there are 3 or 4 doctors appearing in the Novel and noone could identify what Rupi's sufferings are, and they are giving away useless medicines at her made me think that way. I'll read 'The Adivasi will not dance' as earliest as possible as am getting excellent review from fellow readers and Shekhar's this debut attempt is not disappointing.
October 13, 2025
Hansda's writing is GRIPPING as always! I had started reading it expecting it to be a book about some medical case, considering Hansda's background as a doctor. But it turned out to be a fascinating tale of a family across generations. He recreates the social world of the Santhals with brilliant details, bringing out nuances in their interaction with others communities. Through the lives of Putki, Rupi, Dulari, Gurubari and others, the novel seemlessly goes into their inner thoughts. It's difficult to write more about it without spoilers, so I will leave it at that. Would definitely spend more time speculating about the characters and the story line.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 47 reviews