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White Blood
A lyrical, luminous offering from the pioneer of Punjabi novel writing and Sahitya Akademi‐awardee Nanak Singh
When a ticket officer apprehends a ticketless traveller at the Amritsar Railway Station, he is shocked to discover that the penniless young man in tattered clothes is none other than the widely acclaimed writer Gupteshwar. But even more disconcerting than the state of the author is the story of his new novel, one that lays bare the moral rot besieging twentieth-century Punjab. As the author reads from his unfinished manuscript, it becomes clear that the tale of the two women he is weaving is far from fictional.
With its nested narratives, rich prose and fascinating depiction of quotidian life, Nanak Singh's pivotal novel paints an unsparing portrait of a society infected with corruption, casteism and appalling inequality, where those who position themselves as guardians of morality are the ones most willing to abuse their power.
When a ticket officer apprehends a ticketless traveller at the Amritsar Railway Station, he is shocked to discover that the penniless young man in tattered clothes is none other than the widely acclaimed writer Gupteshwar. But even more disconcerting than the state of the author is the story of his new novel, one that lays bare the moral rot besieging twentieth-century Punjab. As the author reads from his unfinished manuscript, it becomes clear that the tale of the two women he is weaving is far from fictional.
With its nested narratives, rich prose and fascinating depiction of quotidian life, Nanak Singh's pivotal novel paints an unsparing portrait of a society infected with corruption, casteism and appalling inequality, where those who position themselves as guardians of morality are the ones most willing to abuse their power.
- GenresFiction
272 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 17, 2024
✦ 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 ✦
“Death is probably one's biggest fear in life. But God has made some people, especially people like me, selfish and stubborn, who want to live even after losing everything, even after all the disgrace and abuse.”
• What a story! And this twist, wow! Generally, a story's twist can be predicted in the midst; however, it usually occurs in the final few pages. At first, I thought it is a partition literature. But no..it's not about partition - but about partition of hearts and values. Mainly 𝑊𝐻𝐼𝑇𝐸 𝐵𝐿𝑂𝑂𝐷 or 𝐶𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑇𝐴 𝐿𝐴𝐻𝑈 is about the moral corruption and lowered phase of the society depicted through Sundari. 🌙🍂🍁
• The author of the book boldly addressed the social problems that existed in Punjab in the early 20th century. The encounter between a ticket collector and a man who boarded a train without a ticket opens the story. Here he finds Sundari - a fearless character that inspires me the most 🌷⛅❄️. Sundari possesses the bravery to speak the truth and face reality. Despite the numerous challenges she has faced since childhood, she has the courage to keep her emotions free and unafraid. This is not an easy story to end; instead, the situation is pitiful. 🌤️🌿🎯
• Nanak Singh talks about the mistreatment of women, social injustices, divisions, and repression under the guise of caste and religion, in addition to other transgressions committed by those in positions of authority to maintain the status quo. White Blood provides a useful overview of Punjabi literature and culture. ✦♥︎√
• 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 5 ✨ 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 💜🌩️🦋
“Death is probably one's biggest fear in life. But God has made some people, especially people like me, selfish and stubborn, who want to live even after losing everything, even after all the disgrace and abuse.”
• What a story! And this twist, wow! Generally, a story's twist can be predicted in the midst; however, it usually occurs in the final few pages. At first, I thought it is a partition literature. But no..it's not about partition - but about partition of hearts and values. Mainly 𝑊𝐻𝐼𝑇𝐸 𝐵𝐿𝑂𝑂𝐷 or 𝐶𝐻𝐼𝑇𝑇𝐴 𝐿𝐴𝐻𝑈 is about the moral corruption and lowered phase of the society depicted through Sundari. 🌙🍂🍁
• The author of the book boldly addressed the social problems that existed in Punjab in the early 20th century. The encounter between a ticket collector and a man who boarded a train without a ticket opens the story. Here he finds Sundari - a fearless character that inspires me the most 🌷⛅❄️. Sundari possesses the bravery to speak the truth and face reality. Despite the numerous challenges she has faced since childhood, she has the courage to keep her emotions free and unafraid. This is not an easy story to end; instead, the situation is pitiful. 🌤️🌿🎯
• Nanak Singh talks about the mistreatment of women, social injustices, divisions, and repression under the guise of caste and religion, in addition to other transgressions committed by those in positions of authority to maintain the status quo. White Blood provides a useful overview of Punjabi literature and culture. ✦♥︎√
• 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 5 ✨ 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 💜🌩️🦋
June 12, 2024
Translated from Punjabi, White Blood (Chitta Lahu), is Nanak Singh's brave attempt to bring to the forefront all the moral corruption in society. Dealing with issues like women's condition, social evils, divisions and repression on the name of caste and religion along with other malpractices that those in power practice to maintain status quo.
Through the story of two women, Gurdai and Sundri, which is told to a ticket collector by a famous writer Gupteshwar Nanak Singh manages to bring all these injustices and wrongdoings before the readers. Like his previous novel which I read, here too he makes use of the frame narrative style to tell the story and by the end merged the frame narrative into the main story successfully. While the ending might feel a little melodramatic to us modern readers, I could see how the novel would have been in some ways very pathbreaking in its portrayal of strong women.
I also liked the cover design of this edition.
Through the story of two women, Gurdai and Sundri, which is told to a ticket collector by a famous writer Gupteshwar Nanak Singh manages to bring all these injustices and wrongdoings before the readers. Like his previous novel which I read, here too he makes use of the frame narrative style to tell the story and by the end merged the frame narrative into the main story successfully. While the ending might feel a little melodramatic to us modern readers, I could see how the novel would have been in some ways very pathbreaking in its portrayal of strong women.
I also liked the cover design of this edition.
July 30, 2024
Reading translated literature is always enrichin, and ‘White Blood’ by Nanak Singh, translated by Dilraj Singh Suri, offers a deep dive into 20th-century Punjab. The novel stands out for its realistic portrayal of societal issues and complex character development. Told as an embedded narrative, it begins with a ticket officer discovering the renowned writer Gupteshwar traveling without a ticket. Gupteshwar's tale introduces themes like casteism, patriarchy and abuse. The novel critiques corruption, inequality and hypocrisies using a satirical tone.
June 29, 2024
The book, which shows the importance of education without any layering, is white blood. I have recently finished this book reading, and throughout reading this book, I had goosebumps. This book is a beautiful translation of the book initially published in Punjabi "Chitta Khoon." The book follows the story of Gurdei and shows the picture of Punjab in early 1920. Gurdei, who was born in a small ( poor family), and she is a pretty girl. She was forced to get married to someone who is double of her age and already has two sons. Once she married into that family, her life changed completely upside down. The story progresses as her in-laws ask her to sign on a document, which she did. However, as she is not educated, she is unable to comprehend what the document says. The story took a leap and how it advanced. This shows the jealousy, casteism, classism, and consequences of the liquor along with substances. Nonetheless, parallelly, the story also showcases the love between two individuals. ( i loved it). The author has beautifully captured the essence of Punjab, and through his epic storytelling, he has shed light on the evil deeds of the society as well.
June 7, 2024
Review
White Blood offers a valuable account of Punjabi literature and society. In the book, the author fearlessly put forth the social issues prevailing in the early 20th-century Punjab.
The plot blends with twists and turns in a two-layered nested narrative. The story begins with the meeting of a ticket collector and a man with a poor appearance who boarded a train without a ticket. In the beginning, the readers would make false guesses that it would be similar to other stories where passengers with tickets would pay hefty amounts to get rid of the punishment. However, the author of this book offers a fresh and surprising perspective, providing readers with an outlook of early 20th century Punjab with an intense plotline highlighting social issues, including corruption, casteism, inequality, and hypocrisy.
The portrayal of various characters is in detail. From depicting their character sketch to their habits, the author did not leave any stone unturned while writing this book. Readers would enjoy knowing about different characters, as they would relate with diverse characters, like Bachan Singh, a man of morals and discipline who did not deter from the right path even after multiple harassments from society.
White Blood offers a valuable account of Punjabi literature and society. In the book, the author fearlessly put forth the social issues prevailing in the early 20th-century Punjab.
The plot blends with twists and turns in a two-layered nested narrative. The story begins with the meeting of a ticket collector and a man with a poor appearance who boarded a train without a ticket. In the beginning, the readers would make false guesses that it would be similar to other stories where passengers with tickets would pay hefty amounts to get rid of the punishment. However, the author of this book offers a fresh and surprising perspective, providing readers with an outlook of early 20th century Punjab with an intense plotline highlighting social issues, including corruption, casteism, inequality, and hypocrisy.
The portrayal of various characters is in detail. From depicting their character sketch to their habits, the author did not leave any stone unturned while writing this book. Readers would enjoy knowing about different characters, as they would relate with diverse characters, like Bachan Singh, a man of morals and discipline who did not deter from the right path even after multiple harassments from society.
October 25, 2025
"O sailors of the community! In which direction are you heading? You are sinking your own ship instead of steering it!
Have you forgotten the sacrifices of the great Gursikhs?
Becoming victims of the rift, you are entertaining the world."
These lines open White Blood (Chitta Lahu) with a quiet ache an appeal, a warning and perhaps a prayer. They set the tone for what follows: a reflection on a society that has lost sight of its own moral compass. Originally published in 1932 and now translated from Punjabi by Dilraj Singh Suri, this work stands as both literature and lament a portrait of a community bleeding from within. 🩸
The story begins on a moving train an ordinary setting that slowly unravels into something deeply unsettling. A ticket collector encounters a passenger without a ticket, who turns out to be a writer. Through his tale, the reader is drawn into the heart of early twentieth century Punjab a world caught between belief and betrayal. The author uses this frame not as ornament but as a vessel to carry truth.
At the centre stand two women Sundri and Gurdai voices that rise from silence. Their stories are not woven with pity but with strength. Sundri, especially, carries the soul of the book bold, unafraid and unwilling to surrender even when the world demands her silence. Through her courage and Gurdai’s quiet endurance, the author reveals how purity is often confused with submission and faith with fear. 🌙
White Blood is not just about oppression; it is about the slow bleeding of conscience how societies lose colour when compassion fades. The title itself is a metaphor for a life drained of warmth and courage.
Though written nearly a century ago, its questions still echo today. The issues of caste, gender, hypocrisy and power remain, only dressed differently. Reading it feels like standing before a mirror not of glass, but of time. ⏳
The author’s voice is fearless, his empathy steady, and his storytelling timeless. White Blood doesn’t comfort; it confronts. It leaves you thinking long after the last page..
Have you forgotten the sacrifices of the great Gursikhs?
Becoming victims of the rift, you are entertaining the world."
These lines open White Blood (Chitta Lahu) with a quiet ache an appeal, a warning and perhaps a prayer. They set the tone for what follows: a reflection on a society that has lost sight of its own moral compass. Originally published in 1932 and now translated from Punjabi by Dilraj Singh Suri, this work stands as both literature and lament a portrait of a community bleeding from within. 🩸
The story begins on a moving train an ordinary setting that slowly unravels into something deeply unsettling. A ticket collector encounters a passenger without a ticket, who turns out to be a writer. Through his tale, the reader is drawn into the heart of early twentieth century Punjab a world caught between belief and betrayal. The author uses this frame not as ornament but as a vessel to carry truth.
At the centre stand two women Sundri and Gurdai voices that rise from silence. Their stories are not woven with pity but with strength. Sundri, especially, carries the soul of the book bold, unafraid and unwilling to surrender even when the world demands her silence. Through her courage and Gurdai’s quiet endurance, the author reveals how purity is often confused with submission and faith with fear. 🌙
White Blood is not just about oppression; it is about the slow bleeding of conscience how societies lose colour when compassion fades. The title itself is a metaphor for a life drained of warmth and courage.
Though written nearly a century ago, its questions still echo today. The issues of caste, gender, hypocrisy and power remain, only dressed differently. Reading it feels like standing before a mirror not of glass, but of time. ⏳
The author’s voice is fearless, his empathy steady, and his storytelling timeless. White Blood doesn’t comfort; it confronts. It leaves you thinking long after the last page..
July 20, 2024
Beautiful piece of literature by the great Nanak Singh. Pavitar Papi was part of the school syllabus, so had to read it. But I am glad that I read this story at the stage in my life when I can appreciate the literary genius of Nanak Singh.The best part of the novel is the relationship of father and daughter i.e. Rodu and Sundri. Injustice was inflicted on the lives of Gurdei, Sundri, Bachan Singh and Sada Kaur by the evils of society but it is the same society which gave birth to magnanimous Rodu. Thus, the story brings forth the good and bad of the society with moments of pathos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2024
If you love soul breaking, twists & turns, drama, suspensefull stories you'll find everything in this creation of Nanak Singh.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews