What do you think?
Rate this book
From Quetta to Delhi, A Partition Story
The lilting rhythms of Punjabi folk songs, the Siapewalli, and Naani wailing about her bad kismet caused by the chudail and dain. Partition changed the old traditions of Punjabiyat but in the pages of this book they come alive...
The invisible cost of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 —besides the violence, loss of life and property—was that it destroyed the psychic equilibrium of the displaced population. This is the story of one such woman, Shakunt, who rebuilt her life but could never get over the trauma of losing her homes in Quetta and Jhang—not just the loss of a physical space but of the language, culture and ethos that it had embodied: A syncretic culture of multilingualism—Urdu, Persian and Punjabi—and of multiple identities of caste, mohalla and religion.
But then there was the disaster of the Quetta Earthquake of l935, and of Partition, which tore the family apart because her father chose to remain in Quetta as a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.
Shakunt coped with her mental distress by escaping into the past, reliving the memories of her life in Quetta and Jhang. Hers was a feminine recall of the perhaps insignificant yet poignant details of daily lives which hinged on the drama of the trivial—on food, rituals and neighbourhood bonding. Of an agnostic father, a mother who was a devotee of Guru Nanak, of pilgrimages to Sufi shrines. This is Shakunt's story as recorded by her daughter.
The invisible cost of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 —besides the violence, loss of life and property—was that it destroyed the psychic equilibrium of the displaced population. This is the story of one such woman, Shakunt, who rebuilt her life but could never get over the trauma of losing her homes in Quetta and Jhang—not just the loss of a physical space but of the language, culture and ethos that it had embodied: A syncretic culture of multilingualism—Urdu, Persian and Punjabi—and of multiple identities of caste, mohalla and religion.
But then there was the disaster of the Quetta Earthquake of l935, and of Partition, which tore the family apart because her father chose to remain in Quetta as a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.
Shakunt coped with her mental distress by escaping into the past, reliving the memories of her life in Quetta and Jhang. Hers was a feminine recall of the perhaps insignificant yet poignant details of daily lives which hinged on the drama of the trivial—on food, rituals and neighbourhood bonding. Of an agnostic father, a mother who was a devotee of Guru Nanak, of pilgrimages to Sufi shrines. This is Shakunt's story as recorded by her daughter.
- GenresIndia
170 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 7, 2018
Full review @https://ecstaticyetchaotic.wordpress....
I had made a conscious decision to review this book based on the fact that I had only read partition stories that involved the ones when people were driven out of their homes when India, Pakistan and Bangladesh separated themselves from each other.
Quetta is the capital of Balochistan and has a culture that is quite different from the traditional. At least that was the case back in the days. Reena Nanda has penned down the story that has people from her previous generations, including her mother. The story revolves around the effects being driven out of their homes, both physically and mentally. Countless lives were lost in the name of religion and God, violent riots and massacre that defies logic.
‘From Quetta to Delhi’ is being recommended by me due to a lot of reasons
-The plot is driven by facts and details, followed by emotions.
-The story gives us an intermediate world, different from the traditional concepts of culture. The people in Quetta lived both like Punjabis and Hindus and respected people from all religion. There are elaborate descriptions on their way of living, festivals celebrated, food cooked daily and the prayers they said to the Almighty. Superstitions and popular beliefs among men and women have been emphasized.
-A panoramic view of a happier life, full of simple pleasures and joy. Followed by the devastation caused due to the migration. Each thought and change has been mentioned with enough emotion to move the readers.
-Verses, songs, and poems in those days about life in general.
-The transformation from traditional values and behavior to modernity and how that affected people around, finally shaping the author’s family and giving them their current mindset and beliefs.
‘From Quetta to Delhi’ by Reena Nanda is an emotional and rather devastating journey through 3 generation of people who have seen life change in the most bizarre and painful way. A book of sad facts, that contain more sad memories than happy.
If you love a factual, historical and diverse book, this might be right up your alley.
Thanks to Bloomsbury for a copy of the book.
I had made a conscious decision to review this book based on the fact that I had only read partition stories that involved the ones when people were driven out of their homes when India, Pakistan and Bangladesh separated themselves from each other.
Quetta is the capital of Balochistan and has a culture that is quite different from the traditional. At least that was the case back in the days. Reena Nanda has penned down the story that has people from her previous generations, including her mother. The story revolves around the effects being driven out of their homes, both physically and mentally. Countless lives were lost in the name of religion and God, violent riots and massacre that defies logic.
‘From Quetta to Delhi’ is being recommended by me due to a lot of reasons
-The plot is driven by facts and details, followed by emotions.
-The story gives us an intermediate world, different from the traditional concepts of culture. The people in Quetta lived both like Punjabis and Hindus and respected people from all religion. There are elaborate descriptions on their way of living, festivals celebrated, food cooked daily and the prayers they said to the Almighty. Superstitions and popular beliefs among men and women have been emphasized.
-A panoramic view of a happier life, full of simple pleasures and joy. Followed by the devastation caused due to the migration. Each thought and change has been mentioned with enough emotion to move the readers.
-Verses, songs, and poems in those days about life in general.
-The transformation from traditional values and behavior to modernity and how that affected people around, finally shaping the author’s family and giving them their current mindset and beliefs.
‘From Quetta to Delhi’ by Reena Nanda is an emotional and rather devastating journey through 3 generation of people who have seen life change in the most bizarre and painful way. A book of sad facts, that contain more sad memories than happy.
If you love a factual, historical and diverse book, this might be right up your alley.
Thanks to Bloomsbury for a copy of the book.
April 17, 2018
Thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy
The story starts off in 1947 ,with the Partition of India and Pakistan, when Quetta becomes part of Pakistan,and the Hindus are forced to migrate to India .The author takes us through the life of her mother, Shakunt and her ancestors. The narrative takes us through the partition and later to Shakunt's life in Quetta.
Lala Ramlal Sehgal and his family move from Jhang to Quetta in 1897. At the wedding of his first daughter Lalaji meets Sawan Mal Malik , who looking to move out of Jhang.Eventually Sawan Mal Malik marries his second daughter , Ramditi and moves to Quetta. In 1919, their first child,the author's mother,Shakunt is born. Shakunt's childhood is vividly described and it read like a memoir.
I love how Shakunt life is described. Being an Indian it was easy to relate to the "buri nazar" and the rules which girls are supposed to follow. I loved Sawan for being the non-religious and modern father. The story brings about the impact partition had on the lives of people,who were forced to migrate to India as they were Hindus ,how the people living in harmony turned into blood thirsty. The writing brings alive the traditions and the superstitions
I haven't read any books on India-Pakistan partition , though i have seen movies of the same. The story doesn't focus more on the violence that happened at that time , but rather at the harmony in which people of different religions and cultures lived together in Quetta. It leaves you sad and wanting for more .It is a short beautiful book, one i would love to reread. In between the pages there are couplets from Punjabi songs , which had translation below them, they were beautiful.
The story starts off in 1947 ,with the Partition of India and Pakistan, when Quetta becomes part of Pakistan,and the Hindus are forced to migrate to India .The author takes us through the life of her mother, Shakunt and her ancestors. The narrative takes us through the partition and later to Shakunt's life in Quetta.
Lala Ramlal Sehgal and his family move from Jhang to Quetta in 1897. At the wedding of his first daughter Lalaji meets Sawan Mal Malik , who looking to move out of Jhang.Eventually Sawan Mal Malik marries his second daughter , Ramditi and moves to Quetta. In 1919, their first child,the author's mother,Shakunt is born. Shakunt's childhood is vividly described and it read like a memoir.
I love how Shakunt life is described. Being an Indian it was easy to relate to the "buri nazar" and the rules which girls are supposed to follow. I loved Sawan for being the non-religious and modern father. The story brings about the impact partition had on the lives of people,who were forced to migrate to India as they were Hindus ,how the people living in harmony turned into blood thirsty. The writing brings alive the traditions and the superstitions
I haven't read any books on India-Pakistan partition , though i have seen movies of the same. The story doesn't focus more on the violence that happened at that time , but rather at the harmony in which people of different religions and cultures lived together in Quetta. It leaves you sad and wanting for more .It is a short beautiful book, one i would love to reread. In between the pages there are couplets from Punjabi songs , which had translation below them, they were beautiful.
March 22, 2018
Ek palak me sab kuch fana ho gaya
Is khubsoorat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kahan laijayegi?
Kahan hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi yeh zindagi?
(In a flash a whole world annihilated
One part of this beautiful life scattered in ruins
Where will we find a shelter
What has destiny in store for us? Roses or Thorns?)
I’ll admit that it did take me some time to ease into this book because it is not your regular fluffy novel which you can read in one sitting. It is short but deep and makes you stop and think. It is slow but at times quite fast. Just have little bit of patience and read on.
It is spread over different periods of Shaukant’s ancestors lives. It starts with the partition but then goes back into the past, explaining the first migration from Jhang to Quetta in 1897. From there it progresses chronologically, vividly describing the life and cultural diversity in all the places Shaukant’s family had resided, till the time they were forced to leave everything they had and knew, in Quetta, and shift to Delhi. It explains the way of life and how everyone, across religions, lived together in harmony, the “Punjabiyat” culture of helping each other and their unique way of catharsis, festivals being celebrated together and the empowering women of Jhang.
One of the things I like about this book is that, that partition doesn’t overpowers the story line, but how people showed forgiveness and didn’t dwell over partition and worked so hard to make a new life in Delhi.
Saying, the partition changed people’s life will be an understatement. It was brutal as the people who had lived together for centuries turned on each other. The lives of so many people were uprooted and so many, so so so many, killed!
The thing that bugged me was that it was very slow and some parts were too stretched out and even repeated at times. It was so difficult to keep track of all the characters as well.
I did love the parallels which the author draws with the Punjabiyat culture her mother saw and the one which exists at present!
There is a unique perspective with which the author has written which makes the book worth reading and if you are a history buff, this book is definitely for you!
Refuge would become the leitmotif not only of the 20th century, but also of the 21st. In the anguished, hopeless faces of the Palestinians, Syrians, Kurds, and Yazidis, I see my grandparents and parents.
April 8, 2018
Last weekend, I picked up From Quetta to Delhi: A Partition Story by Reena Nanda. My initial thoughts about the book were that it's a compilation of memoirs of immigrants from India and Pakistan who lost everything during the Indian subcontinent partition. But when I started reading it, I realized that it's a memoir of a mother written by the daughter. It's not just an ordinary partition story, From Quetta to Delhi is a book full of culture before partition, the people, the songs, the festivals, the customs. And then the devils, the earthquake that took away everything and ultimately, the partition that took away home.
The story of From Quetta to Delhi begins with the year 1947 when two leaders Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi announced two separate states for Hindu and Muslim Majority, Pakistan and India. What they didn't realize was that it's easy to draw a line in between, but what about people? What about the mass migration of millions who are now unsure about their homes where they have been living for generations?
Shakunt narrates the story of how their Pathan neighbors and other mohallawalahs saved them from murderous masses, but then a day arrives when Shakunt convinces her parents to leave Quetta and move to Delhi. As she sits on the plane and her mother starts crying and beating her chest, nostalgia hits her.
The first Migration from Jhang to Quetta, when her forefathers decided to move to the city and make big. Then Shankunt's initial years of growing in Quetta under the strict supervision of her mother and a father who was balanced. The rituals, the customs to be followed by a girl, the Saccha Jhootha custom. Then, a calamity hits the family when in yer 1935, a deadly earthquake hits the city, engulfing everyone, including Shakunt's brother who was sleeping right next to her. Then, the golden years of gaining an education in Lahore, and then the ultimate blow of world politics, the partition.
The partition of India and Pakistan was the darkest period in the history of both countries, but there was also an invisible cost involved, which was the destroyed psychic equilibrium of displaced population. Shakunt was part of that population, and through her memory, she made Punjab before partition come alive in these pages. The Punjabi folk songs, the Siapewalli ( my grandmother still calls me that sometimes), the saccha jhootha, Punjabiyat and the hospitality!
For me, this was not a just a book, it was an experience that most of the partition literature couldn’t give me before! And this is yet another one of the best reads of 2018 for me! ❤️ So make sure you do read this one as soon as you can!
The story of From Quetta to Delhi begins with the year 1947 when two leaders Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi announced two separate states for Hindu and Muslim Majority, Pakistan and India. What they didn't realize was that it's easy to draw a line in between, but what about people? What about the mass migration of millions who are now unsure about their homes where they have been living for generations?
Shakunt narrates the story of how their Pathan neighbors and other mohallawalahs saved them from murderous masses, but then a day arrives when Shakunt convinces her parents to leave Quetta and move to Delhi. As she sits on the plane and her mother starts crying and beating her chest, nostalgia hits her.
The first Migration from Jhang to Quetta, when her forefathers decided to move to the city and make big. Then Shankunt's initial years of growing in Quetta under the strict supervision of her mother and a father who was balanced. The rituals, the customs to be followed by a girl, the Saccha Jhootha custom. Then, a calamity hits the family when in yer 1935, a deadly earthquake hits the city, engulfing everyone, including Shakunt's brother who was sleeping right next to her. Then, the golden years of gaining an education in Lahore, and then the ultimate blow of world politics, the partition.
The partition of India and Pakistan was the darkest period in the history of both countries, but there was also an invisible cost involved, which was the destroyed psychic equilibrium of displaced population. Shakunt was part of that population, and through her memory, she made Punjab before partition come alive in these pages. The Punjabi folk songs, the Siapewalli ( my grandmother still calls me that sometimes), the saccha jhootha, Punjabiyat and the hospitality!
For me, this was not a just a book, it was an experience that most of the partition literature couldn’t give me before! And this is yet another one of the best reads of 2018 for me! ❤️ So make sure you do read this one as soon as you can!
April 2, 2018
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Disclaimer: A physical copy was provided via Bloomsbury India and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are however my own.
I rarely can deal with stories about Partition of India; it isn’t an easy time to deal with in the present and I can’t imagine what our forefathers actual went through during that heartbreaking time!
Reena Nanda expertly weaves anecdotes and narrations about the Partition; around the author’s mother Shakunt and her immediate family – and the journey of Shakunt from the past of her family to the current trials and tribulations of their journey during the partition.
I adored the writing style of the author – she does a brilliant job of narrating the world of Punjabi traditions and identities. Not only that she is also able to actually fire up my imagination and take me back to a time that has always been one of my favourite (not the right word; I know! but historical buff, it has be one of the richest moments in our country's history!).
This book really needs to be relished – for every Indian will find a little glimpse of their family’s identity in each glimpse that the author gives the reader!
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon |
March 31, 2018
Book Review : From Quetta to Delhi - A Partition Story by Reema Nanda
Never Judge a book by its cover nor by the name it possesses. The same case happened with me when I read the title of the name 'From Quetta to Delhi'. To be honest, I didn't take any pains to read the blurb because a story on partition is something I always wanted to read an action packed story on Partition. Sadly, the book wasn't what I had expected. So, what was the book about? What did made me read the book? Read further to know about it.
Blurb:
The invisible cost of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 - besides the violence, loss of life and property - was that it destroyed the psychic equilibrium of the displaced population. This is the story of one such woman, Shakunt, who rebuilt her life but could never get over the trauma of losing her homes in Quetta and Jhang - not just the loss of a physical space but of the language, culture and ethos that it had embodied. A syncretic culture of multilingualism - Urdu, Persian and Punjabi - and of multiple identities of caste, mohalla and religion.
But then there was the disaster of the Quetta Earthquake of l935, and of Partition, which tore the family apart because her father chose to remain in Quetta as a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.
Shakunt coped with her mental distress by escaping into the past, reliving the memories of her life in Quetta and Jhang. Hers was a feminine recall of the perhaps insignificant yet poignant details of daily lives which hinged on the drama of the trivial - on food, rituals and neighbourhood bonding. Of an agnostic father, a mother who was a devotee of Guru Nanak, of pilgrimages to Sufi shrines. This is Shakunt's story as recorded by her daughter.
My Take on the Book:
As I mentioned earlier, the book was not an all-out action on the India-Pakistan Partition which I was kind of expecting. On the contrary, the book is a biographical account of Shakunt who was brought up in Pakistan and had to migrate to India during Partition. The best thing about the book are the beautiful poems that come up every now and then. Eventhough, it was difficult for me to connect to them at certain times, the translations provided indeed sends shivers down your spine as you read through them. One such popular poem in the book that incites deep thoughts.
‘Ek Palak me sab kuch fana ho gaya
Is Khubsoorat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kahan laijayegi?
Kahan hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi yeh Zindagi?
What does not work in the book at certain places are the characters that one cannot easily relate to. Keeping track of so many characters and also not settling to calling the characters similarly throughout the book is a bit irksome and could have been avoided.
Overall, the book is a beautiful read that one should not avoid if they love poetry. Also, one should read the book to explore the beautiful traditions of Punjab before and after partition and the way the author has brought it out magically with the occasional poems.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 5
Book in Three Words: Magical. Nostalgic. Emotional.
Never Judge a book by its cover nor by the name it possesses. The same case happened with me when I read the title of the name 'From Quetta to Delhi'. To be honest, I didn't take any pains to read the blurb because a story on partition is something I always wanted to read an action packed story on Partition. Sadly, the book wasn't what I had expected. So, what was the book about? What did made me read the book? Read further to know about it.
Blurb:
The invisible cost of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 - besides the violence, loss of life and property - was that it destroyed the psychic equilibrium of the displaced population. This is the story of one such woman, Shakunt, who rebuilt her life but could never get over the trauma of losing her homes in Quetta and Jhang - not just the loss of a physical space but of the language, culture and ethos that it had embodied. A syncretic culture of multilingualism - Urdu, Persian and Punjabi - and of multiple identities of caste, mohalla and religion.
But then there was the disaster of the Quetta Earthquake of l935, and of Partition, which tore the family apart because her father chose to remain in Quetta as a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.
Shakunt coped with her mental distress by escaping into the past, reliving the memories of her life in Quetta and Jhang. Hers was a feminine recall of the perhaps insignificant yet poignant details of daily lives which hinged on the drama of the trivial - on food, rituals and neighbourhood bonding. Of an agnostic father, a mother who was a devotee of Guru Nanak, of pilgrimages to Sufi shrines. This is Shakunt's story as recorded by her daughter.
My Take on the Book:
As I mentioned earlier, the book was not an all-out action on the India-Pakistan Partition which I was kind of expecting. On the contrary, the book is a biographical account of Shakunt who was brought up in Pakistan and had to migrate to India during Partition. The best thing about the book are the beautiful poems that come up every now and then. Eventhough, it was difficult for me to connect to them at certain times, the translations provided indeed sends shivers down your spine as you read through them. One such popular poem in the book that incites deep thoughts.
‘Ek Palak me sab kuch fana ho gaya
Is Khubsoorat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kahan laijayegi?
Kahan hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi yeh Zindagi?
What does not work in the book at certain places are the characters that one cannot easily relate to. Keeping track of so many characters and also not settling to calling the characters similarly throughout the book is a bit irksome and could have been avoided.
Overall, the book is a beautiful read that one should not avoid if they love poetry. Also, one should read the book to explore the beautiful traditions of Punjab before and after partition and the way the author has brought it out magically with the occasional poems.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 5
Book in Three Words: Magical. Nostalgic. Emotional.
March 24, 2018
Read more reviews like this on my blog :
https://dsr21.wordpress.com
The Author Reena Nanda has changed my perspective about partition stories through her new book ‘From Quetta to Delhi’. I have always seen and read partition stories as tragic loss and violence. It is this book, which took me to Quetta, Jhang and Lahore of before 1947 and it was my first time when I read about these specific part of pre-independence Punjab.
This is the story of Shakunt, which built a window to the time when multicultural, multireligious and multilingual society existed in India in harmony. The author has even mentioned about women of that time. It was surprising to learn about the upbringing of Shakunt but I was extremely happy to know her story. It is for this reason, I would re-read it for every #femmemarch and #femmemarchfest read along.
Also, I have now deciphered the meaning of all those Punjabi folk songs which I have heard in Bollywood movies. I would want you to halt on those songs when you read this book. They are the gems of this book.
I can’t truly be able to understand what it feels like refugee Punjabi in times when they are shown as loud, tandoori chicken eating – drunkards in Bollywood movies but I now know that it is just a myth. The author has explained Pujabiyaat with examples like how being Hindu won’t stop any Punjabi to visit Gurudwara.
All in all, I recommend this book to each Indian and Pakistani and everyone who knows about the India-Pakistan partition. This book has the power to encourage our modern society to learn something from our glorious past.
Rating: 3.4/5
Buy your copy from here: AmazonIn
Disclaimer: I would like to thank Bloomsbury India for the copy. This review is my personal thought about the book.
Read more reviews like this on my blog :
https://dsr21.wordpress.com
https://dsr21.wordpress.com
‘Ek Palak me sab kuch fana ho gaya
Is Khubsoorat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kahan laijayegi?
Kahan hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi yeh Zindagi?
(In a flash a whole world annihilated
one part of this beautiful life lies scattered in ruins
Where will we find a shelter
What has Destiny in store for us? Roses or Thrones?) ‘
The Author Reena Nanda has changed my perspective about partition stories through her new book ‘From Quetta to Delhi’. I have always seen and read partition stories as tragic loss and violence. It is this book, which took me to Quetta, Jhang and Lahore of before 1947 and it was my first time when I read about these specific part of pre-independence Punjab.
“The best monument to Partition would be to spread narratives of friendships and bonds for the future generations of Pakistanis and Indians.”
This is the story of Shakunt, which built a window to the time when multicultural, multireligious and multilingual society existed in India in harmony. The author has even mentioned about women of that time. It was surprising to learn about the upbringing of Shakunt but I was extremely happy to know her story. It is for this reason, I would re-read it for every #femmemarch and #femmemarchfest read along.
Also, I have now deciphered the meaning of all those Punjabi folk songs which I have heard in Bollywood movies. I would want you to halt on those songs when you read this book. They are the gems of this book.
“Of course, traditions do change with time, but in one swift, brutal blow, the Partition has altered a whole civilisation.”
I can’t truly be able to understand what it feels like refugee Punjabi in times when they are shown as loud, tandoori chicken eating – drunkards in Bollywood movies but I now know that it is just a myth. The author has explained Pujabiyaat with examples like how being Hindu won’t stop any Punjabi to visit Gurudwara.
All in all, I recommend this book to each Indian and Pakistani and everyone who knows about the India-Pakistan partition. This book has the power to encourage our modern society to learn something from our glorious past.
“We are quite safe. Do not worry. Didn’t our Pathan friend, Sardar Noor Ahmed Khan, protect us?”
Rating: 3.4/5
Buy your copy from here: AmazonIn
Disclaimer: I would like to thank Bloomsbury India for the copy. This review is my personal thought about the book.
Read more reviews like this on my blog :
https://dsr21.wordpress.com
March 16, 2018
Link to my blog- https://notskylimit.blogspot.in/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/booknbhook/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/booknbhook
Author : Reena Nanda
Genre : Historical Fiction
" Ek palak me sab kuch fana ho gaya
Is khoobsurat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kaha lejayegi?
Kaha hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi ye zindagi? "
It's a story based on true life events of what the author's family faced before and after partition of India(ofcourse there might be some parts which are a work of fiction). The story mainly revolves around the author's mother, Shakunt. Through Shakunt's life we get to know about the major events that happened during that time.
I must say the beginning of the book was very good, I was quite intrigued but slowly the pace of the novel dropped and it picked up again towards the end. This book more than anything talks about Punjabis and is full of common words used by them with ofcourse the English translation mentioned, this is what I most liked about the book, the use of Punjabi language and Punjabi folk songs.
The author has described the dressing sense of all the clans that used to exist at that time which I found quite interesting. She even goes on to mention how and what the Punjabis are now is a mixture of Eastern and Western Punjabis (the generation of Partition). I really like how the author keeps comparing the instances which she mentions in the book with how they would be perceived today.
The partition, not only physically but also mentally disturbed people but since at that time not many mental problems were known, nobody understood what was happening. Even after losing everything, the author tells that her mother never said anything bad about her homeland(now Pakistan), she always heard only good things and urges everyone that we should remember partition as friendships and bonds made and not as a genocide. We need to learn from it not make it happen again.
I always say this after I read any book based on partition or wars that anything extreme(specially war) is never the answer. It hurts more people physically and mentally than anyone can imagine.
My Verdict- 3/5
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/booknbhook/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/booknbhook
Author : Reena Nanda
Genre : Historical Fiction
" Ek palak me sab kuch fana ho gaya
Is khoobsurat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kaha lejayegi?
Kaha hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi ye zindagi? "
It's a story based on true life events of what the author's family faced before and after partition of India(ofcourse there might be some parts which are a work of fiction). The story mainly revolves around the author's mother, Shakunt. Through Shakunt's life we get to know about the major events that happened during that time.
I must say the beginning of the book was very good, I was quite intrigued but slowly the pace of the novel dropped and it picked up again towards the end. This book more than anything talks about Punjabis and is full of common words used by them with ofcourse the English translation mentioned, this is what I most liked about the book, the use of Punjabi language and Punjabi folk songs.
The author has described the dressing sense of all the clans that used to exist at that time which I found quite interesting. She even goes on to mention how and what the Punjabis are now is a mixture of Eastern and Western Punjabis (the generation of Partition). I really like how the author keeps comparing the instances which she mentions in the book with how they would be perceived today.
The partition, not only physically but also mentally disturbed people but since at that time not many mental problems were known, nobody understood what was happening. Even after losing everything, the author tells that her mother never said anything bad about her homeland(now Pakistan), she always heard only good things and urges everyone that we should remember partition as friendships and bonds made and not as a genocide. We need to learn from it not make it happen again.
I always say this after I read any book based on partition or wars that anything extreme(specially war) is never the answer. It hurts more people physically and mentally than anyone can imagine.
My Verdict- 3/5
March 26, 2018
Pre-independence time of India, such a massacre!
Since my childhood, I have been listening to so many stories from my grandparents about the time when they had to face situations which were far beyond their imagination. My grandfather always used to tell me stories when I was little during the Independence time and especially during the partition time. Although we are Bengali’s, my grandfather was affected a lot since they were a resident of Lucknow and they were well-known across the city. He faced the religious discrimination which emerged all of a sudden due to the cruelty of politics which resulted in the partition of India into two countries. How brother’s turned against brother’s, how religion turned against religion, he witnessed that and that took a piece out of a mere 15-16-year-old boy.
I am not really that a huge fan non-fiction books but this one surely won my heart. The most beautiful aspect of this book is how smoothly the author has described the entire journey. It starts with the partition but then goes back into the past, explaining the first migration from Jhang to Quetta in 1897. From there it progresses chronologically, vividly describing the life and cultural diversity in all the places Shaukant’s family had resided. Over a period of time, you can witness all the ups and downs faced by the family and that has made them even stronger.
The only issue I faced regarding this book was the pace, it was rather slow and dragged at certain places which were the only negative points for me. Other than that, this book is by far one of the interesting “non-fiction” books which have grabbed my attention. And yes, my Dadu was the most excited to read it. I won’t say this book is for the common mass. This book is particularly for those who enjoy regarding more about Indian Independence history, those who want to know what exactly was the scenario during the partition and for the college students I would really recommend this book.
Since my childhood, I have been listening to so many stories from my grandparents about the time when they had to face situations which were far beyond their imagination. My grandfather always used to tell me stories when I was little during the Independence time and especially during the partition time. Although we are Bengali’s, my grandfather was affected a lot since they were a resident of Lucknow and they were well-known across the city. He faced the religious discrimination which emerged all of a sudden due to the cruelty of politics which resulted in the partition of India into two countries. How brother’s turned against brother’s, how religion turned against religion, he witnessed that and that took a piece out of a mere 15-16-year-old boy.
I am not really that a huge fan non-fiction books but this one surely won my heart. The most beautiful aspect of this book is how smoothly the author has described the entire journey. It starts with the partition but then goes back into the past, explaining the first migration from Jhang to Quetta in 1897. From there it progresses chronologically, vividly describing the life and cultural diversity in all the places Shaukant’s family had resided. Over a period of time, you can witness all the ups and downs faced by the family and that has made them even stronger.
The only issue I faced regarding this book was the pace, it was rather slow and dragged at certain places which were the only negative points for me. Other than that, this book is by far one of the interesting “non-fiction” books which have grabbed my attention. And yes, my Dadu was the most excited to read it. I won’t say this book is for the common mass. This book is particularly for those who enjoy regarding more about Indian Independence history, those who want to know what exactly was the scenario during the partition and for the college students I would really recommend this book.
July 22, 2021
It took me 18 months to start reading the book, and only 2 days to finish it. I expected it to be a somber read, but the book gripped you right from the start. Starting with the violence that erupted during Partition, the story then jumped back to when the family of Upper Caste Hindus migrated to Quetta and made a place for themselves in the community. It was the story of a family fitting right in; their religious beliefs, their songs, their cultural practices, their idiosyncrasies. They were the memoirs of a woman, and captured the charm of every day life like accounts by women often do.
The book focused on how people lived together with multiple identities of which only one was religious. Unlike other accounts, it wasn't the violence of Partition that the book spoke about, but of how people reacted to it. Of how they lost everything (including their identity) and had to start afresh.
At another level it is a cautionary tale of how emotions can be manipulated for political gains, and of how what drives people is often the promise of economic gains, rather than religious sentiments.
At a personal level, there was also the feeling off loss- how many stories the women of my marital family could have told me if only I asked. How many similar books have died with the people who lived through those times.
The book focused on how people lived together with multiple identities of which only one was religious. Unlike other accounts, it wasn't the violence of Partition that the book spoke about, but of how people reacted to it. Of how they lost everything (including their identity) and had to start afresh.
At another level it is a cautionary tale of how emotions can be manipulated for political gains, and of how what drives people is often the promise of economic gains, rather than religious sentiments.
At a personal level, there was also the feeling off loss- how many stories the women of my marital family could have told me if only I asked. How many similar books have died with the people who lived through those times.
March 21, 2018
My only complaint about this book is that I just wanted more of it. From Quetta to Delhi: A Partition Story by Reena Nanda is not just a book that takes readers through the trials and tribulations that people in undivided British India faced once the Partition came into effect, but one that looks at the social and cultural fabric that bound people to one another and the way it leaves scars on the psyche.
From Quetta to Delhi: A Partition Story has its share of anecdotes and reflections around Partition but also dwells on the larger picture of the life and times of the author’s mother Shakunt and her immediate family. The author takes the reader back and forth from the immediate Partition period that brings its own confusion and angst of forced migration to an earlier migration of Shakunt’s maternal family from Jhang in the central Rechna Doab of Punjab to what Kwatta (mispronounced by the British as Quetta) and then further on to Delhi.
It is earthy in its narrative that will take readers to the rhythm of Punjabi songs and music that resonate with joy and lamentation, spiritualism and humour in parts, a world apart from the loud and garrulous Punjabi identity that has been heaped on us by the Hindi film industry. It is a book to be read and savoured.
From Quetta to Delhi: A Partition Story has its share of anecdotes and reflections around Partition but also dwells on the larger picture of the life and times of the author’s mother Shakunt and her immediate family. The author takes the reader back and forth from the immediate Partition period that brings its own confusion and angst of forced migration to an earlier migration of Shakunt’s maternal family from Jhang in the central Rechna Doab of Punjab to what Kwatta (mispronounced by the British as Quetta) and then further on to Delhi.
It is earthy in its narrative that will take readers to the rhythm of Punjabi songs and music that resonate with joy and lamentation, spiritualism and humour in parts, a world apart from the loud and garrulous Punjabi identity that has been heaped on us by the Hindi film industry. It is a book to be read and savoured.
May 3, 2018
The post-independence partition of India was not only the partition of a great landmass with geographical features and prominence, but it was also a partition of the emotional attachment that people had towards their motherland. The book is written by author Reena Nanda as a part biography of her mother, Mrs. Shakunt Nanda and part socio-political account of pre-partition India.
The book, From Quetta To Delhi, talks about the various aspects of human life in the pre-partition India and how people from different caste, cultures, creed and thoughts lived together in harmony and appraised of each other.
Another thing that I liked the most about the book, From Quetta to Delhi, was the detailed explanations and the reasons behind a lot of traditions followed till today, for example the concept of buri nazar, untouchability, girls hitting puberty, the punjabi folk tales, multi linguism.
It is actually a 'meaning'ful book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading non-fiction.
To read the detailed review of the book, please visit Book Review : From Quetta To Delhi - A Partition Story - Reena Nanda
The book, From Quetta To Delhi, talks about the various aspects of human life in the pre-partition India and how people from different caste, cultures, creed and thoughts lived together in harmony and appraised of each other.
Another thing that I liked the most about the book, From Quetta to Delhi, was the detailed explanations and the reasons behind a lot of traditions followed till today, for example the concept of buri nazar, untouchability, girls hitting puberty, the punjabi folk tales, multi linguism.
It is actually a 'meaning'ful book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading non-fiction.
To read the detailed review of the book, please visit Book Review : From Quetta To Delhi - A Partition Story - Reena Nanda
March 25, 2018
I usually read 100 pages in a day and to read a book with 170 pages in a single sitting isn't new to me. But when I started reading this book, it struck a chord with me and I wanted to be a part of that pre-independence ambiance for long. I stayed with it for 3 days as if living a life with Shakunt and her family.
The book is an engaging, intriguing, riveting non fiction which will keep you hooked till the last line. Rather, the last few lines will make you ponder. While reading it I was brimming with feelings which I would want to express in my review. This book kept giving me Amrita Pritam-ish vibes. Those that I got while reading Pinjar.
Entire Review ⬇️
https://ofbookbabiesandmore.wordpress...
The book is an engaging, intriguing, riveting non fiction which will keep you hooked till the last line. Rather, the last few lines will make you ponder. While reading it I was brimming with feelings which I would want to express in my review. This book kept giving me Amrita Pritam-ish vibes. Those that I got while reading Pinjar.
Entire Review ⬇️
https://ofbookbabiesandmore.wordpress...
March 26, 2018
Thank you to @bloomsburyindia for the review copy.
This story is going through the phase of India-Pakistan partition. Real life story of author's mother. I liked this book because I have heard about these stories. I am sindhi and my grandparents had to go through all this so I know about all this and about the pain and sufferings. It was really a horrible situation. 3.5 stars
For detailed review head over to my blog. https:// bookswordsadda.wordpress.com
This story is going through the phase of India-Pakistan partition. Real life story of author's mother. I liked this book because I have heard about these stories. I am sindhi and my grandparents had to go through all this so I know about all this and about the pain and sufferings. It was really a horrible situation. 3.5 stars
For detailed review head over to my blog. https:// bookswordsadda.wordpress.com
March 29, 2018
"The lilting rhythms of Punjabi folk songs, the Siapewalli, and Naani wailing about her bad kismet caused by the chudail and dain. Partition changed the old traditions of Punjabiyat but in the pages of this book they come alive..."
Punjabiyat.
Have you heard this word before?
Is the modern tandoori-chicken-eating, whiskey-guzzling, perpetually jovial sardar your idea of Punjabi culture, Punjabiyat? Do you know the deep cultural history and the set of ethos and traditions that underlie this 21st century forever-happy, forever-loud community that is spread out not only across the country but the world?
There is much more to Punjabis than the casual hedonists they are portrayed as across media. Even if to know that alone - and to get a little peek into the beliefs and mores of this beautiful and diverse culture - you must read Reena Nanda's memoir, From Quetta to Delhi (A Partition Story).
I'm the child of a Partition-hit family. My interest in the subject was first piqued when I started reading Saadat Hasan Manto's Partition sketches back in 2015. I have read a lot of Partition literature since, about hatred, violence and loss, and about love, brotherhood and unity in the face of extreme adversity. And through all of this, the thing that has always struck me the most is the syncretism that is so deeply entrenched in the culture and belief systems of the subcontinent. Sikh, Muslim, Hindu - their Gods and their religious practices may be different but they have forever inter-mingled and absorbed each other's beliefs and cultural practices into their own. And the author has brought it out really well in her book.
From Quetta to Delhi is the story of the author's mother, Shakunt, who was a little girl growing up in the 1920s in an affluent family of pragmatic, progressive men and religious, superstitious women, in an upscale multi-cultural neighbourhood of Quetta (Balochistan, now part of Pakistan). How the family, originally from Jhang, happened to settle in Quetta, and how they were forced to move back to Jhang, and eventually on to Delhi after the Partition forms the basic plot of the book.
The introduction and the first chapter of the book remain the most interesting parts of the story for me, for they paint a vivid picture of what Balochistan looked and felt like at the turn of the 20th century. The sights and sounds, the clothes, the urban landscape, and most of all, the people, their traditions and ways of living. It was like a whole new window opened up in my world, taking me back into another time in a place far, far away from where I was born, and yet familiar in so many ways. Though my grandparents don't belong to Balochistan, I know their cultural roots, even language, are very similar to what Reena Nanda has so poignantly described in From Quetta to Delhi.
The plot is interwoven with a lot of insights into the mores and rather backward (even casteist) beliefs and practices of well-to-do upper-caste Punjabi families. She has also pointed out how the more educated men in the author's family countered those beliefs by inter-dining, forging lasting bonds with friends from other communities, and educating and empowering their daughters. I like the objective retelling of these dichotomies inherent to the Indian society, though at times I sensed an appeasement and justification underlining the author's depiction of these practices. The times we currently live in call for a brutally honest portrayal of age-old practices that have no place in the modern world. I'll admit I was left a bit disappointed.
The speed at which the plot moves also left a lot to be desired. There were times when I felt the story dragged on, and I found myself abandoning the book for several days at a time. It is possible that I may have been preoccupied with work at the moment, but I have often disregarded all work commitments for a book that forced me to - and this one certainly didn't.
From Quetta to Delhi is written in a simplistic style, and to me it seemed as if the author has yet to develop a unique style of her own. Given that it's non-fiction and a memoir, it could have been much more evocative and gripping. But a worthy read for its many merits nevertheless. At 170 pages, it's a really short book and is best read in one go.
One extraordinary thing that really struck me about From Quetta to Delhi was that the text has been proofread to the T. I didn't spot any errors (which is to say a lot, since I find SO MANY typos in even the best of books). And given how finicky I am about grammar and proofreading, this book was a delight on that count.
In a nutshell, a beautiful memoir that I have already recommended to a couple of my friends with an interest in Partition stories. I'll end my review with my favourite lines from the book. See if they strike an all-too-familiar chord?
"My family, and other West Punjabis, naturally considered their traumas and travails as unique. But in fact, they had joined the worldwide brotherhood of refugees. And they would not be the last. Future struggles for power and conflicts would continue to ruthlessly crush the ordinary people, who were helpless before their egomaniacal leaders. 'Refugee' would become the leitmotif not only of the twentieth century, but also of the twenty-first. In the anguished, hopeless faces of the Palestinians, Syrians, Kurds, and Yazidis, I see my grandparents and parents."
Punjabiyat.
Have you heard this word before?
Is the modern tandoori-chicken-eating, whiskey-guzzling, perpetually jovial sardar your idea of Punjabi culture, Punjabiyat? Do you know the deep cultural history and the set of ethos and traditions that underlie this 21st century forever-happy, forever-loud community that is spread out not only across the country but the world?
There is much more to Punjabis than the casual hedonists they are portrayed as across media. Even if to know that alone - and to get a little peek into the beliefs and mores of this beautiful and diverse culture - you must read Reena Nanda's memoir, From Quetta to Delhi (A Partition Story).
I'm the child of a Partition-hit family. My interest in the subject was first piqued when I started reading Saadat Hasan Manto's Partition sketches back in 2015. I have read a lot of Partition literature since, about hatred, violence and loss, and about love, brotherhood and unity in the face of extreme adversity. And through all of this, the thing that has always struck me the most is the syncretism that is so deeply entrenched in the culture and belief systems of the subcontinent. Sikh, Muslim, Hindu - their Gods and their religious practices may be different but they have forever inter-mingled and absorbed each other's beliefs and cultural practices into their own. And the author has brought it out really well in her book.
From Quetta to Delhi is the story of the author's mother, Shakunt, who was a little girl growing up in the 1920s in an affluent family of pragmatic, progressive men and religious, superstitious women, in an upscale multi-cultural neighbourhood of Quetta (Balochistan, now part of Pakistan). How the family, originally from Jhang, happened to settle in Quetta, and how they were forced to move back to Jhang, and eventually on to Delhi after the Partition forms the basic plot of the book.
The introduction and the first chapter of the book remain the most interesting parts of the story for me, for they paint a vivid picture of what Balochistan looked and felt like at the turn of the 20th century. The sights and sounds, the clothes, the urban landscape, and most of all, the people, their traditions and ways of living. It was like a whole new window opened up in my world, taking me back into another time in a place far, far away from where I was born, and yet familiar in so many ways. Though my grandparents don't belong to Balochistan, I know their cultural roots, even language, are very similar to what Reena Nanda has so poignantly described in From Quetta to Delhi.
The plot is interwoven with a lot of insights into the mores and rather backward (even casteist) beliefs and practices of well-to-do upper-caste Punjabi families. She has also pointed out how the more educated men in the author's family countered those beliefs by inter-dining, forging lasting bonds with friends from other communities, and educating and empowering their daughters. I like the objective retelling of these dichotomies inherent to the Indian society, though at times I sensed an appeasement and justification underlining the author's depiction of these practices. The times we currently live in call for a brutally honest portrayal of age-old practices that have no place in the modern world. I'll admit I was left a bit disappointed.
The speed at which the plot moves also left a lot to be desired. There were times when I felt the story dragged on, and I found myself abandoning the book for several days at a time. It is possible that I may have been preoccupied with work at the moment, but I have often disregarded all work commitments for a book that forced me to - and this one certainly didn't.
From Quetta to Delhi is written in a simplistic style, and to me it seemed as if the author has yet to develop a unique style of her own. Given that it's non-fiction and a memoir, it could have been much more evocative and gripping. But a worthy read for its many merits nevertheless. At 170 pages, it's a really short book and is best read in one go.
One extraordinary thing that really struck me about From Quetta to Delhi was that the text has been proofread to the T. I didn't spot any errors (which is to say a lot, since I find SO MANY typos in even the best of books). And given how finicky I am about grammar and proofreading, this book was a delight on that count.
In a nutshell, a beautiful memoir that I have already recommended to a couple of my friends with an interest in Partition stories. I'll end my review with my favourite lines from the book. See if they strike an all-too-familiar chord?
"My family, and other West Punjabis, naturally considered their traumas and travails as unique. But in fact, they had joined the worldwide brotherhood of refugees. And they would not be the last. Future struggles for power and conflicts would continue to ruthlessly crush the ordinary people, who were helpless before their egomaniacal leaders. 'Refugee' would become the leitmotif not only of the twentieth century, but also of the twenty-first. In the anguished, hopeless faces of the Palestinians, Syrians, Kurds, and Yazidis, I see my grandparents and parents."
March 29, 2018
Title: From Quetta To Delhi
Author: Reena Nanda
Publisher: Bloomsbury India
Published On: 10th March 2018
Binding:Paperback
Pages: 168
ISBN:9789386643445
Ek palak me sabkuch fana ho gaya
Is khoobsurat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kahan laijayegi?
Kahan hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi yeh zindagi?
BLURB
The lilting rhythms of Punjabi folk songs, the Siapewalli, and Naani wailing about her bad kismet caused by the chudail and dain. Partition changed the old traditions of Punjabiyat but in the pages of this book they come alive ...
The invisible cost of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 - besides the violence, loss of life and property - was that it destroyed the psychic equilibrium of the displaced population. This is the story of one such woman, Shakunt, who rebuilt her life but could never get over the trauma of losing her homes in Quetta and Jhang - not just the loss of a physical space but of the language, culture and ethos that it had embodied. A syncretic culture of multilingualism - Urdu, Persian and Punjabi - and of multiple identities of caste, mohalla and religion.
But then there was the disaster of the Quetta Earthquake of l935, and of Partition, which tore the family apart because her father chose to remain in Quetta as a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.
Shakunt coped with her mental distress by escaping into the past, reliving the memories of her life in Quetta and Jhang. Hers was a feminine recall of the perhaps insignificant yet poignant details of daily lives which hinged on the drama of the trivial - on food, rituals and neighbourhood bonding. Of an agnostic father, a mother who was a devotee of Guru Nanak, of pilgrimages to Sufi shrines. This is Shakunt's story as recorded by her daughter.
COVER PAGE
The cover page of the book is very beautiful having images of the Balochistan's desert and Delhi's Jama Masjid to show the Partition of India and Pakistan. It is in yellow mustard colour and the title and author name written with black ink in bold letters. It is a very attractive cover page and I liked it a lot.
REVIEW
From Quetta To Delhi: A Partition story by Reena Nanda is an engaging book about her family during the time of India Pakistan Partition. This book is one of the best books I have read and it will always remain in the list of my favourites. I read this partition story with my grandparents, so I discussed a lot with them and a lot of their stories came up.
The book is written in a simple language and in a fluent manner revolving around Reena Nanda's family and a special focus is on her mother, Shakunt. She has talked about life before partition when there was no Pakistan and what happened after partition. The author has written the book beautifully and has talked about not just the violence and the loss of life and property but she went beyond that,the trauma that people faced just because of it.
The author took me back to that time that I was able to visualize the events very well and she has written each and every event in a detailed manner. The book is very gripping and moves at its own pace. I read the book quite slowly because I got so involved that I reread few pages and it was really hard for me to put it down. I really loved how the author has talked about the various Punjabi traditions, Punjabi language, trust of Punjabis on Guru Nanak Devji and especially, the friendship between the Hindus and Muslims that a Pathan stood up for his Punjabi Hindu friend to save him.A very interesting fact about the book is that author has put various couplets of Punjabi songs and poems and I loved them.
The book is emotional and I cried at some points also, but those emotions are so well written and heart-touching, the punjabi language that her Maanji used when she wailed for Quetta was very disheartening. The author clearly talked about the political conditions at that time also which made me think a lot whether the partition was a right decision or not. I was very well able to relate with her family because my grandparents kept on telling me about their own experiences.
Overall, I really cherished this book a lot filled with so many emotions. It is a very fine book and I highly recommend this book to everyone if you really want to read a Partition story.
* I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Bloomsbury India) in exchange of a review. Thank You.
Author: Reena Nanda
Publisher: Bloomsbury India
Published On: 10th March 2018
Binding:Paperback
Pages: 168
ISBN:9789386643445
Ek palak me sabkuch fana ho gaya
Is khoobsurat zindagi ka ek hissa tabah ho gaya
Nayi zindagi kahan laijayegi?
Kahan hoga hamara basera?
Kya gul dikhayegi yeh zindagi?
BLURB
The lilting rhythms of Punjabi folk songs, the Siapewalli, and Naani wailing about her bad kismet caused by the chudail and dain. Partition changed the old traditions of Punjabiyat but in the pages of this book they come alive ...
The invisible cost of the Partition of the Punjab in 1947 - besides the violence, loss of life and property - was that it destroyed the psychic equilibrium of the displaced population. This is the story of one such woman, Shakunt, who rebuilt her life but could never get over the trauma of losing her homes in Quetta and Jhang - not just the loss of a physical space but of the language, culture and ethos that it had embodied. A syncretic culture of multilingualism - Urdu, Persian and Punjabi - and of multiple identities of caste, mohalla and religion.
But then there was the disaster of the Quetta Earthquake of l935, and of Partition, which tore the family apart because her father chose to remain in Quetta as a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.
Shakunt coped with her mental distress by escaping into the past, reliving the memories of her life in Quetta and Jhang. Hers was a feminine recall of the perhaps insignificant yet poignant details of daily lives which hinged on the drama of the trivial - on food, rituals and neighbourhood bonding. Of an agnostic father, a mother who was a devotee of Guru Nanak, of pilgrimages to Sufi shrines. This is Shakunt's story as recorded by her daughter.
COVER PAGE
The cover page of the book is very beautiful having images of the Balochistan's desert and Delhi's Jama Masjid to show the Partition of India and Pakistan. It is in yellow mustard colour and the title and author name written with black ink in bold letters. It is a very attractive cover page and I liked it a lot.
REVIEW
From Quetta To Delhi: A Partition story by Reena Nanda is an engaging book about her family during the time of India Pakistan Partition. This book is one of the best books I have read and it will always remain in the list of my favourites. I read this partition story with my grandparents, so I discussed a lot with them and a lot of their stories came up.
The book is written in a simple language and in a fluent manner revolving around Reena Nanda's family and a special focus is on her mother, Shakunt. She has talked about life before partition when there was no Pakistan and what happened after partition. The author has written the book beautifully and has talked about not just the violence and the loss of life and property but she went beyond that,the trauma that people faced just because of it.
The author took me back to that time that I was able to visualize the events very well and she has written each and every event in a detailed manner. The book is very gripping and moves at its own pace. I read the book quite slowly because I got so involved that I reread few pages and it was really hard for me to put it down. I really loved how the author has talked about the various Punjabi traditions, Punjabi language, trust of Punjabis on Guru Nanak Devji and especially, the friendship between the Hindus and Muslims that a Pathan stood up for his Punjabi Hindu friend to save him.A very interesting fact about the book is that author has put various couplets of Punjabi songs and poems and I loved them.
The book is emotional and I cried at some points also, but those emotions are so well written and heart-touching, the punjabi language that her Maanji used when she wailed for Quetta was very disheartening. The author clearly talked about the political conditions at that time also which made me think a lot whether the partition was a right decision or not. I was very well able to relate with her family because my grandparents kept on telling me about their own experiences.
Overall, I really cherished this book a lot filled with so many emotions. It is a very fine book and I highly recommend this book to everyone if you really want to read a Partition story.
* I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Bloomsbury India) in exchange of a review. Thank You.
April 30, 2018
Sometimes a mere book can change your whole perspective towards a community. A community which is known for its loud music,dance,fighting skills,rich food and happy vibes. This book changed my perspective showed me the other side of coin.
I have fallen in love with Quetta and 'Punjabiyat' after reading the book.The author has did a splendid job of reviving the earthy smell of religious pluralism existing in Balochistan before Partition and the rich culture of bygone era.
The narrative completes full circle,the initial few chapters is dedicated to the migration period of Sawan Mal Malik's family from Quetta to Delhi and in the last few chapters we observe the migrants trying to cope up with their changed economic and social position.Trying to build up everything from a scratch. Lakhs of families suffered due to partition and the riots that followed which destroyed their lives and made them refuges of an unknown land.They lost their dear ones,their property and most importantly their Identity.Their riches to rags story stunned me.
The author takes us through the life of her mother and ancestors.Author has beautifully portrayed the rustic life of Jhang,the cosmopolitan society of Quetta and the modern changing Lahore.The people of different ethnicity - the Pathans,Baloch tribals, Brahuis,Muslims,Non-Muslims and Sikhs formed a society based on mutual respect and tolerance lined with principles of honor,hospitality,friendship and neighborliness.We come across the existence of multifaith followers in a family,the ancient rules of succha and jhoota,purity and pollution,the siapewalis, the concept of Sanjha Chulha and many other such things which formed important part of their way of life.Loved the way Shaukant's life changes due to her progressive father's thinking.The transformation of shy,retiring Shaukant into confident and fashionable woman indicates the increasing influence of western culture.
The narration is quite engaging and peppered with Punjabi couplets,short poems and proverbs.The story has its own moments of happiness and sadness.At many points,I could feel a small tear escaping the corner of my eye.The pace is quite slow which gives you enough time to savour the beautiful piece bits by bits.It raises some serious questions which the political heads overlooked during Partition.
Aab aab kar moyan bachya
Farsian ghar gale
Jae tu mangda bachiya pani
Mae bhar bhar daindi piyale
I would recommend the book to anyone who want to peek in the window of bygone era. I want to thank #Bloomsbury for the review copy received in exchange of honest review.
I have fallen in love with Quetta and 'Punjabiyat' after reading the book.The author has did a splendid job of reviving the earthy smell of religious pluralism existing in Balochistan before Partition and the rich culture of bygone era.
The narrative completes full circle,the initial few chapters is dedicated to the migration period of Sawan Mal Malik's family from Quetta to Delhi and in the last few chapters we observe the migrants trying to cope up with their changed economic and social position.Trying to build up everything from a scratch. Lakhs of families suffered due to partition and the riots that followed which destroyed their lives and made them refuges of an unknown land.They lost their dear ones,their property and most importantly their Identity.Their riches to rags story stunned me.
The author takes us through the life of her mother and ancestors.Author has beautifully portrayed the rustic life of Jhang,the cosmopolitan society of Quetta and the modern changing Lahore.The people of different ethnicity - the Pathans,Baloch tribals, Brahuis,Muslims,Non-Muslims and Sikhs formed a society based on mutual respect and tolerance lined with principles of honor,hospitality,friendship and neighborliness.We come across the existence of multifaith followers in a family,the ancient rules of succha and jhoota,purity and pollution,the siapewalis, the concept of Sanjha Chulha and many other such things which formed important part of their way of life.Loved the way Shaukant's life changes due to her progressive father's thinking.The transformation of shy,retiring Shaukant into confident and fashionable woman indicates the increasing influence of western culture.
The narration is quite engaging and peppered with Punjabi couplets,short poems and proverbs.The story has its own moments of happiness and sadness.At many points,I could feel a small tear escaping the corner of my eye.The pace is quite slow which gives you enough time to savour the beautiful piece bits by bits.It raises some serious questions which the political heads overlooked during Partition.
Aab aab kar moyan bachya
Farsian ghar gale
Jae tu mangda bachiya pani
Mae bhar bhar daindi piyale
I would recommend the book to anyone who want to peek in the window of bygone era. I want to thank #Bloomsbury for the review copy received in exchange of honest review.
June 19, 2018
A story written out of resentment towards partition by an author who was two years old when migrated from Pakistani to India.
I picked the book out of my love for Quetta, hoping to know the history of ‘migration’ from Quetta to Delhi. However, to my disappointment the book is more of a commentary on Punjabi culture and author’s ancestors. It is loaded with weak translations of Punjabi folk songs and phrases.
The headings of the chapters are misleading, and wouldn’t offer you much on what the chapter was supposed to be about. For instance, chapter ‘1935 Earthquake’ immediately starts with the unfortunate even and the next 40 pages give you just a stream of other events that were again a commentary on the culture.
The author shows strong resentment towards Jinnah and somewhere criticized Gandhi, but failed to do proper homework before writing the book. She mentions 10,000 muslims attacking non-muslims but no where talks about the massacre of Muslims. I don’t disagree with her but in my opinion writing a book on such topics shouldn’t be one-sided.
Then at times one also finds that terms like ‘choora, choori’ and myths were normalized. And yes, not forgetting a part where it is mentioned that before partition the drinking water in public would be labeled as ‘mulsim’ and ‘hindu’ because Hindus way of drinking public water was hygienic than Muslims. It was mentioned that Muslims would put their mouth to the tap.
You do get to know about places that still exist in Quetta and its culture, but nothing quite positive about the residents. The author mentions that her father’s friends were Pathans but talk nothing in detail about how they helped them but focused more on how they turned against them.
If you are interested in learning about Sikhs and their culture then it’s an interesting read for you, but do not expect to get much about partition. This book is more of a praise to author’s family.
#fromquettatodelhi #reenananda #bookreview
I picked the book out of my love for Quetta, hoping to know the history of ‘migration’ from Quetta to Delhi. However, to my disappointment the book is more of a commentary on Punjabi culture and author’s ancestors. It is loaded with weak translations of Punjabi folk songs and phrases.
The headings of the chapters are misleading, and wouldn’t offer you much on what the chapter was supposed to be about. For instance, chapter ‘1935 Earthquake’ immediately starts with the unfortunate even and the next 40 pages give you just a stream of other events that were again a commentary on the culture.
The author shows strong resentment towards Jinnah and somewhere criticized Gandhi, but failed to do proper homework before writing the book. She mentions 10,000 muslims attacking non-muslims but no where talks about the massacre of Muslims. I don’t disagree with her but in my opinion writing a book on such topics shouldn’t be one-sided.
Then at times one also finds that terms like ‘choora, choori’ and myths were normalized. And yes, not forgetting a part where it is mentioned that before partition the drinking water in public would be labeled as ‘mulsim’ and ‘hindu’ because Hindus way of drinking public water was hygienic than Muslims. It was mentioned that Muslims would put their mouth to the tap.
You do get to know about places that still exist in Quetta and its culture, but nothing quite positive about the residents. The author mentions that her father’s friends were Pathans but talk nothing in detail about how they helped them but focused more on how they turned against them.
If you are interested in learning about Sikhs and their culture then it’s an interesting read for you, but do not expect to get much about partition. This book is more of a praise to author’s family.
#fromquettatodelhi #reenananda #bookreview
December 8, 2018
The book which says it upfront that Punjabis are more than “Balle Balle” or “Tandoori Chicken” .
Story is a leisure stroll through History of Punjabis. One can know a lot about the customs , culture ,superstitions and various beliefs of a punjabi family.
An informative book which shares a lot of fact regarding Balochistan.
Towards the end ,the condition of the people of Independent India after partition is also talked about.
When country was partitioned, thousands of punjabis had to fled from Punjab to Delhi because they saw their wife’s and sisters getting raped , children’s being murdered and had to leave their home to save themselves from the same faith . But on reaching delhi ,Mahatma Gandhi further admonished them by saying that they should have stayed in Punjab and by coming to Delhi they have proved themselves to be cowards.
Partition destroyed the psychological equilibrium of innumerable people.
The most important thing which I grasped from this book was that people had not only lost their home or land during the partition but they had also lost their culture.
Story is a leisure stroll through History of Punjabis. One can know a lot about the customs , culture ,superstitions and various beliefs of a punjabi family.
An informative book which shares a lot of fact regarding Balochistan.
Towards the end ,the condition of the people of Independent India after partition is also talked about.
When country was partitioned, thousands of punjabis had to fled from Punjab to Delhi because they saw their wife’s and sisters getting raped , children’s being murdered and had to leave their home to save themselves from the same faith . But on reaching delhi ,Mahatma Gandhi further admonished them by saying that they should have stayed in Punjab and by coming to Delhi they have proved themselves to be cowards.
Partition destroyed the psychological equilibrium of innumerable people.
The most important thing which I grasped from this book was that people had not only lost their home or land during the partition but they had also lost their culture.
May 21, 2018
Born and lived my whole life in Quetta. I cried tears of anguish for Maanji and Shakunt and Sawan Mal for their loss. Thank God I stumbled upon this gem of a book about my home town and about the people that once lived here. Beautiful narration. clear and simple and at times heart warming while at others, heart wrenching especially i couldn't hold back my tears when Maanji starts crying on a plane from Quetta to Dehli " Hae mera kota(Quetta) chala gaya".I feel connected to Reena ji and her ancestors through a common bond of land. and by God its a strong one. I have nothing but love and respect for our separated Quettawallahs. we are still bonded! I think.
September 3, 2021
Most personal narrations on partition have been from Punjab . This is a rare account which shows the life & traditions of a Punjabi family living in Quetta. The book very well illustrates the attachment of the family with its culture and homeland ,from it was cruelly uprooted in 1947. Must read for anyone who is curious about knowing more on partition and the impact it had on millions of lives... millions of such stories remain to be told..
June 2, 2025
Brings the pathos of partition to light through a very personal narrative. The accompaning anecdotes remind everyone that has read of similar stories told to them by thier mothers and parents. It also very clearly shows that communities lived harmonously together as friends and neighbours, irrespective of religion, protecting each other until the gundas and politics tore them apart. A moving story of the triumph of humanity told through the pen and ears of a daughter.
April 10, 2022
Violence after partition of Sub-Continent made Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs migrants to live their entire lives with post traumatic stress & broken souls that didn't spare their next generation. This region has suffered a lot. The best monument is to work for the prosperity of our countries, excel in every field, with friendly bonds of Pakistanis and Indians.
March 20, 2021
One of the worst and historically inaccurate book on partition. Anyone wanting to read with regards to quetta will find nothing relating to it. The book is basically a poorly compiled biography with contradictions within its chapter. The writer is confused what she is writing about.
January 25, 2020
Worth reading.
May 25, 2021
I read the first 35 pages. I stopped reading after that. The book is well written but it maybe of interest to the author's family and friends.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews