Neela Scarf is an extraordinary collection of short stories by renowned journalist, Anu Singh Choudhary.
Neela Scarf is an anthology of short stories which depicts life in different parts and among different social classes in India. The stories range from both urban and rural settings. All the stories included in the book are different from each other with a range of diverse characters. Some of the stories in this selection are Mukti, Kuch Yun hona Uska, Cigarette Ka Aakhri Kash, and Bisesar Bo Ki Premika. This book will make for a riveting and engaging read for those who enjoy Hindi short stories.
4+ Wouldn't have picked this if not for multiple recommendations... as most of the contemporary Hindi books are short stories. All stories are very different from each other, and they all maintain that crispness and tanginess. From bachelor lives, to live-in relations, to singles with break ups, newly wed expecting couples, teenage child problems.... relations between master and servant, doctor patient, roommates, colleagues...with human sentiments at the core of each story. All in just 12 crisp stories. What a great mix! Would rate this higher than Interpreter of Maladies as the characters depicted more personal touch. Recommended for Hindi contemporary lovers.
There are some books which you consume and there are others which you absorb. The former includes constant page turners which don't allow you to take rest until and unless you have reached the last page. However, the latter comprise of the ones which force you repeatedly to stop, take a deep breath and think. Neela Scraf belongs to the latter category. The short stories are a mixed collection of tales ranging from the predicaments of family living in a village to that of two lovers trying to adjust themselves to the bold idea of a live in relationship. The author has managed to handle all the themes with considerable sensitivity and depth. Still, it is easy to deduce that the stories have specially tried to delve into the ambiguities and predicaments of a feminine mind, whether it is of a young girl or a working mother trying shoulder the responsibility of a house. Its astonishing how different stories are able to show that human mind is never satisfied. While in one story a woman is happy to earn her basic necessities, in the other, after having everything also she feels empty and unhappy. Some of author's tales have done a beautiful job of portraying the thoughts of a rural class that is still trying to come to terms with their fast changing surroundings. But above all, the biggest achievement of neela scarf is to unravel the inner struggle of a common WOMEN (aam aurat) we meet in everyday life. Author's characters are thinking what a lady or a girl sitting just besides you may be thinking, making sure that it's hidden from the outside world, keeping it trapped within herself. Neela Scarf has given those thoughts a trap door to come out and make their presence felt.
All well deserving 5 stars and a place among my favorite books :)
I find a certain familiarity with the characters Anu Singh Choudhary chooses for her stories .As if I know them personally and their dilemma ,the way they perceive things ,their perspective towards life ,their ambition ,goal ,frustration , achievements ,their struggle and indifference for certain aspects sab kafi niji lagti hai .
man to kiya ki ek hi bar baith ke sari kahaniya is kitab ki padhlun .phir uljhan is bat ki bhi hai ki kitab ka akhri pana palt te dil bhari na ho jaye .
“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” ― Paul Sweeney
ye bat phitrat ki bhi hai .chocolate sab ko acha lagta hai.Ab ye ap ki marji ki pura chocolate ek hi bar main khalo ya phir ek hi tukda har roj khaya jaye .ek main bachpan ki masumiyat aur impulsiveness hai to dusre main self control ka maturity .to ye apka decision hai ki apka ji kya chah ta hai ?
janha tak mera khud ka sabal hai ........
क्या कहें कि आज क्या-क्या जी चाहता है थोड़ी-सी धूप और थोड़ी छांव भी चाहता है।
शहर का कोलाहल भी, बदहवास भीड़ भी बौराए आम के पेड़ों वाला गांव भी चाहता है।
कुछ बंधन ऐसे हों जो दिलों को बांध लें मुक्त होकर थिरकते दो पांव भी चाहता है।
साहिल मिल जाए, ऐसी खुशनसीबी हो लहरों से उलझती एक नाव भी चाहता है।
पूरे होते सपनों को गिनती रही उंगलियां कभी खाली जेबों-सा अभाव भी चाहता है।
मिश्री हो गीतों में, शहद-सी हो बोलियां कभी कान उमेठने वाला बर्ताव भी चाहता है।
खाली पन्नों-सा उलटो मुझे, कभी पढ़ा करो कभी थोड़ी बेरूखी, थोड़ा भाव भी चाहता है।
It a lovely collection of short stories and some of those touch your heart.The setting of the stories is very contemporary unlike other Hindi works like Prem Chand. The title story and mukti and bisesar bou are my favourites.
'जब हम दुख बाँटना बंद कर देते हैं एक-दूसरे से, तो ख़ुद को बाँटना भी बंद कर देते हैं, अचानक।'
'फ़ासले कम करने की बेमतलब की कोशिश से अच्छा था दूर चले जाना।'
'Neela Scarf' is a collection of 12 poignant, entertaining, relatable and engrossing stories. The stories are quite different from each other, and they mainly deal with different forms of relationships. Talking about my favourites: देखवकी (the khanti Bihari dialogues were fun), सहयात्री, नीला स्कार्फ़ (very poignant), कुछ यूं होना उसका, लिव-इन।
The writing style is so interesting and engaging. However, as it happens when you are reading a collection, a couple of stories didn't work for me. Overall, enjoyed reading it!
१२ कहनियों का ये सुंदर संग्रह मुझे बहुत पसंद आया ! इसकी सरल और सहज भाषा तो इसको खास बनाती है अपितु इसकी प्रत्येक कहानी हमारेआस पास घटित होने वाली प्रतीत होती है ! हर कहानी एक दूसरे से अलग है और मस्तिष्क पर छाप छोड़ती है । कहानी रूममेट, बिसेसर बो की प्रेमिका , नीला स्कार्फ लिव इन ,और मुक्ति यह सब बहुत ही अच्छी लगी ! "मुक्ति " कहानी का अंत तो चौकाने वाला है! मैं इस बात से इंकार नहीं कर सकती की यह किताब मुझे इतनी अच्छी लगी की इसे मैंने एक सिटिंग में ही पूरी करी थी, जब खत्म हुई तो यह लगा की काश किताब कुछ और लंबी होती!
12 short stories which are depthful and significant in itself. From roommates, live-in to sehyatri, 3 different stories exploring the same thought of sharing a place and yet all of them are so uniquely represented. Bold and compassionate stories of women from rural, urban areas was really commendable. The writing style is beautiful, confident and thoughtful. I really loved it. I highly recommend it.
Fantastic book. Brilliantly crafted stories. Each story is complete in itself, It takes you on a journey, it beautifully presents us various emotions that we feel and express in our life, overall this book fulfills the need of the soul. A person can connect with stories very easily and this is a big achievement for any writer. Delightful reading.
I recently started re-reading Hindi books after a gap of many years. After reading a few classics, Neela Scarf is the first contemporary book that I read. I enjoyed it immensely. The stories are well written, they elicit emotions but allow you to move on to the next story. The author addresses everyday scenarios that are quite relatable.
Very nice stories by Anu Singh choudhry very well crafted each and every story . Some with happy endings and some with sad one But every story has deep meaning
अनु जी, आपने स्त्रियों के परिपेक्ष्य से कई शानदार कहानियाँ इस किताब में प्रस्तुत की। और मुंबई, दिल्ली और बिहार सभी जगह का एक रेखचित्र मानसिक पटल पर उभार दिया।
All the stories had very nice themes, a lot of them were indeed unique. However, it felt like most of the plots had a lot of potential which was went unexplored.
रोजमर्रा के जीवन की विभिन्न अनुभूतियों को शब्दों का रूप देकर लेखिका ने मानवीय जीवन की न जाने कितनी ही भावनाओं का चित्रण किया है । हर कहानी एक नया दृश्य प्रस्तुत करती है । कहानियाँ जैसे आंखों के सामने चल रही हो । सराहनीय कृति।