It's very rare for me to read an Ebook unless while I am traveling or staying at my village but this book masmerised me. I kept reading it on my phone whether I am eating at cheap hotels with my friends or reading it on my e-reader prior to my sleep.
I was added into a what's app group of readers by someone. Whom I didn't know properly and other participants. After some months I arranged meeting with a member Faisal Majeed in Rawalpindi. That day was a fun to spend as ideas kept flowing. I asked him what are his best Urdu Novels and Autobiographies as he had literally drunk all libraries of twin cities. He mentioned this book which he read it years ago in Urdu edition named Gargi Beeti by Balwant Gargi. Novels he mentioned were, *Chalta Musafir by Altaf Fatima *Deewar Kay Peechay by Anees Nagi *Bawan Pattay by Krishan Chandar. When I left Rawalpindi, I kept thinking about this book in my bus. I couldn't stop myself to message my goodreads friend from India, if he could buy this book for me there. Later I thought to find an Ebook which would be convenient for me. So I found it on internet (with some pages missing) and later copied it to my e-reader.
This English edition seems to be translated from Punjabi edition named "Nangi Dhup". I must say that this English translation is marvelous. I just couldn't feel that I am reading it in a foreign language. There was still an aroma of a Desi Man whether he used a language other than Punjabi. One would think that people usually like this book because it's a bold confession. This is the cheapest judgemental remark this book can receive. If you would read it, you will realise that the things he committed are always common now and then. Betrayel, extramarital affairs, lies and shame is all we receive in our lives. What makes this book so special that how does he explain the psychological reasons for his and his wife's behaviour and alteration. You won't find him to arguing or justifying his acts and decisions. This is what a human being is. We don't think much when we act. It was mind blowing story of fate and loss.
I will keep looking for his remaining autobiographic work. Whether I would have to ask for help from Indian Readers as I would never find His books here in Pakistan.
very good read - Its like a book with all the nakedness of all feelings around the Author's life - His open admission to lot of things and the way the conversations take place - very intense in some ways - Loved it!!
It is scattered with scandalous little anecdotes (In one a theatre actress pesters Satish Gujral to give her a painting and he agrees to on the condition that she undress before a party of drunk men and women. In another, a tipsy Javed Akhtar arrives at a party and romances all the attractive women in the room, wooing them by offering them parts in his movies).
In his dealings with his American wife after the first cracks appear in their relationship, Balwant's writing never shows an awareness of his unequal rules for the two partners. His mistress often visits him at his home while his wife sits in the other room. However, when the wife takes up a (suspected) lover, he instructs her to never bring him under their roof.
Rips apart the hypocrisy in human relationships. The protagonist (a colossal figure in Punjabi literature) talks blatantly, which adds to the colour and intensity. Amazing read.
I read only one book of Balwant gagri. It’s all about his life mainly his love life. One thing I learned from this book is that be loyal with your partner. Balwant gagri really struggle in his life even after becoming well - knowed writer and theatre director because of not balancing the love life.
an intense read. plain and bitter i am not sure the end was as it is or he put some spice to look it more dramatic and what happened after that? also a little scary how he messed everything up but a writer who can write himself and without craving for respect or caring for insults by audience.