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Hiraeth: Partition stories from 1947
What would you do if you were told you had minutes to leave your home? What would you take, what would you be thinking…?
This thought dominated the minds of millions who moved across the newly created borders in 1947. The place they called home was not a geographical zone but an emotion. Most just locked their doors and left as if they were going on a vacation. They ended up as refugees in a foreign land with a yearning for a home they could never return to. That yearning is what Hiraeth stands for.
The writer belongs to a family of such refugees. This short story collection is her tribute to them and to all refugees, on both sides of the border. These are the stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. It’s a chronicling of their spirit, their hard work and their resilience as they made peace with their past.
This thought dominated the minds of millions who moved across the newly created borders in 1947. The place they called home was not a geographical zone but an emotion. Most just locked their doors and left as if they were going on a vacation. They ended up as refugees in a foreign land with a yearning for a home they could never return to. That yearning is what Hiraeth stands for.
The writer belongs to a family of such refugees. This short story collection is her tribute to them and to all refugees, on both sides of the border. These are the stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. It’s a chronicling of their spirit, their hard work and their resilience as they made peace with their past.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2019
7 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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May 15, 2025
Having been raised in a family with roots that trace back to the 1947 partition of India, I was fortunate to be surrounded by elders who frequently shared vivid accounts of their lives before the partition and the challenges they faced during and after the migration.
I was (and am) always captivated by such narratives, and hence possess a sparkingly deep and lasting interest in modern Indian history, particularly the events surrounding the partition. This is what led me to pick up this book, off course after reading several insightful reviews from fellow GRs.
Coming to the book, I anticipated it to be deeply poignant, and while it certainly was to some extent, it didn't quite meet my expectations in the way I had hoped. This isn't to take away from the author, who undoubtedly put in considerable effort, conducting thorough research to create this work. However, for some reason, it didn't resonate with me as much—perhaps due to my high expectations or (whatever). The book comprises 24 stories, each witnessed firsthand by the families involved (read "inspired by true events", as mentioned in the synopsis), which I truly admire. I also appreciate the fact that the language of the book is kept veritably simple, and could be read by anyone. Still, given my tendency to expect a certain depth from such works, I feel that the book could have been even more impactful.
Rounding off my 3.6 star rating to 4
I was (and am) always captivated by such narratives, and hence possess a sparkingly deep and lasting interest in modern Indian history, particularly the events surrounding the partition. This is what led me to pick up this book, off course after reading several insightful reviews from fellow GRs.
Coming to the book, I anticipated it to be deeply poignant, and while it certainly was to some extent, it didn't quite meet my expectations in the way I had hoped. This isn't to take away from the author, who undoubtedly put in considerable effort, conducting thorough research to create this work. However, for some reason, it didn't resonate with me as much—perhaps due to my high expectations or (whatever). The book comprises 24 stories, each witnessed firsthand by the families involved (read "inspired by true events", as mentioned in the synopsis), which I truly admire. I also appreciate the fact that the language of the book is kept veritably simple, and could be read by anyone. Still, given my tendency to expect a certain depth from such works, I feel that the book could have been even more impactful.
Rounding off my 3.6 star rating to 4
May 10, 2022
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Being born and brought up in Bombay, with my parents originally coming from South India, I've never had access to any insider narrative about families who lost almost everything during the 1947 partition. Whatever I knew was based on some newspaper articles or movies. In my adulthood, I picked up "Train to Pakistan" by Khushwant Singh in order to gain a better perspective into the first-hand experience. But that book somehow didn't click with me. Today, I'm glad. I can finally say that I've read a great book on this topic.
Where knowledge is free;
Hiraeth is an anthology of 24 touching, heart-rending stories on the partition and its impact. Each story is inspired by true events, and that worsens the experience in a way, because you can't console yourself by saying, "Thank God this is only fiction." I initially assumed that 24 stories on the same topic means that they would overlap in ideas. But no, each story has a distinct setup and you find yourself drowning in the pathos of those dreary days.
"Hiraeth" is a Welsh word for a nostalgic kind of homesickness, thus it is a title that depicts this book aptly. Even the cover pic of the book is one of the best artistic renditions I have seen, not just for a book cover but also for the topic of the partition. It depicts the content of the book perfectly. Oh, and to connect it even more to the line above, the book is free on Kindle Unlimited India.
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Shivani Salil doesn't depict any kind of partiality in her storytelling. This isn't a book about torture against the Hindus, or torture against the Muslims, or torture against the Sikhs. This is a book about how your life can be ripped apart by situations not even in your control and you can be left without any anchor of stability. This is also a book about how circumstances can turn humans into demons, irrespective of their religious beliefs. As the author, Shivani effectively conveys the angst of every sufferer without any bias for or against the religious background of the perpetrators and the victims. Rather than using verbosity to convey her point, she uses simple and stark words that keep the stress where it is needed: on the story. The regular smattering of Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi words enhances the beauty and authenticity of the narrative.
I just wish there would have been a few stories focussing on those who decided to stay back in their hometown in spite of not belonging to the majority religion of the area. What happened to them? What were their struggles? It would have been nice to hear their perspectives too.
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
I felt that reading 24 similarly-themed stories at one go would be doing injustice to each story. So I limited myself to three stories a day and relished this book in tiny doses. This decision proved to be great as it helped me focus on each story without any boredom or emotional overload seeping in. It also gave me time to recover from the brutalities mentioned in some of the stories. We can't even imagine how harrowing those days would have been for the citizens affected by the idiotic politically-motivated decision.
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Hiraeth becomes the latest book to justify my newfound interest in contemporary Indian literature. If you want a tiny glimpse into the sad events that surrounded our country's political independence, pick up Hiraeth without any hesitation. It is a book that deserves to be read, because it contains stories that deserves to be told and it teaches us a lesson that deserves to be imparted: That it is high time we look beyond religion and caste! This is a book that goes beyond any rating and into the "Essential reading" category.
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Saadat Hasan Manto had once written, "Hindustan had become free. Pakistan had become independent soon after its inception but man was still slave in both these countries: slave of prejudice... slave of religious fanaticism... slave of barbarity and inhumanity." It's really sad how one ad-hoc line drawn on a map has created an endless stream of hatred. It would bode well for all to remember that a little more than seven decades ago, we belonged to the same country. Just to satisfy the egos of the leaders involved, an endless and needless rift has been created.
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action —
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
Let's not allow personal demarcators such as nationality or race or religion ever come in the way of our identity. We are humans first, and that's the only tag that matters. We must learn to strengthen our unity rather than focus on what divides us.
A much-recommended anthology for all Indians (and Pakistanis - our brethren from the days gone by.)
4.5 stars
(The highlighted words are from a poem titled "Where the mind is without fear" by Rabindranath Tagore, the first and only Nobel Laureate for Literature from India and one of our most talented writers. This work of his is one of my absolute favourites. While reading the anthology, the words of this poem were constantly hovering in my head, and as a result, my review spun itself around his beautiful and hopeful thoughts.)
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Being born and brought up in Bombay, with my parents originally coming from South India, I've never had access to any insider narrative about families who lost almost everything during the 1947 partition. Whatever I knew was based on some newspaper articles or movies. In my adulthood, I picked up "Train to Pakistan" by Khushwant Singh in order to gain a better perspective into the first-hand experience. But that book somehow didn't click with me. Today, I'm glad. I can finally say that I've read a great book on this topic.
Where knowledge is free;
Hiraeth is an anthology of 24 touching, heart-rending stories on the partition and its impact. Each story is inspired by true events, and that worsens the experience in a way, because you can't console yourself by saying, "Thank God this is only fiction." I initially assumed that 24 stories on the same topic means that they would overlap in ideas. But no, each story has a distinct setup and you find yourself drowning in the pathos of those dreary days.
"Hiraeth" is a Welsh word for a nostalgic kind of homesickness, thus it is a title that depicts this book aptly. Even the cover pic of the book is one of the best artistic renditions I have seen, not just for a book cover but also for the topic of the partition. It depicts the content of the book perfectly. Oh, and to connect it even more to the line above, the book is free on Kindle Unlimited India.
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Shivani Salil doesn't depict any kind of partiality in her storytelling. This isn't a book about torture against the Hindus, or torture against the Muslims, or torture against the Sikhs. This is a book about how your life can be ripped apart by situations not even in your control and you can be left without any anchor of stability. This is also a book about how circumstances can turn humans into demons, irrespective of their religious beliefs. As the author, Shivani effectively conveys the angst of every sufferer without any bias for or against the religious background of the perpetrators and the victims. Rather than using verbosity to convey her point, she uses simple and stark words that keep the stress where it is needed: on the story. The regular smattering of Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi words enhances the beauty and authenticity of the narrative.
I just wish there would have been a few stories focussing on those who decided to stay back in their hometown in spite of not belonging to the majority religion of the area. What happened to them? What were their struggles? It would have been nice to hear their perspectives too.
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
I felt that reading 24 similarly-themed stories at one go would be doing injustice to each story. So I limited myself to three stories a day and relished this book in tiny doses. This decision proved to be great as it helped me focus on each story without any boredom or emotional overload seeping in. It also gave me time to recover from the brutalities mentioned in some of the stories. We can't even imagine how harrowing those days would have been for the citizens affected by the idiotic politically-motivated decision.
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Hiraeth becomes the latest book to justify my newfound interest in contemporary Indian literature. If you want a tiny glimpse into the sad events that surrounded our country's political independence, pick up Hiraeth without any hesitation. It is a book that deserves to be read, because it contains stories that deserves to be told and it teaches us a lesson that deserves to be imparted: That it is high time we look beyond religion and caste! This is a book that goes beyond any rating and into the "Essential reading" category.
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Saadat Hasan Manto had once written, "Hindustan had become free. Pakistan had become independent soon after its inception but man was still slave in both these countries: slave of prejudice... slave of religious fanaticism... slave of barbarity and inhumanity." It's really sad how one ad-hoc line drawn on a map has created an endless stream of hatred. It would bode well for all to remember that a little more than seven decades ago, we belonged to the same country. Just to satisfy the egos of the leaders involved, an endless and needless rift has been created.
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action —
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
Let's not allow personal demarcators such as nationality or race or religion ever come in the way of our identity. We are humans first, and that's the only tag that matters. We must learn to strengthen our unity rather than focus on what divides us.
A much-recommended anthology for all Indians (and Pakistanis - our brethren from the days gone by.)
4.5 stars
(The highlighted words are from a poem titled "Where the mind is without fear" by Rabindranath Tagore, the first and only Nobel Laureate for Literature from India and one of our most talented writers. This work of his is one of my absolute favourites. While reading the anthology, the words of this poem were constantly hovering in my head, and as a result, my review spun itself around his beautiful and hopeful thoughts.)
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
July 2, 2022
The implications of the partition of India in 1947 continues to be felt till this day. The rationale and the aspired goals of such a partition were poorly explained even then and let loose heart-rending violence and tragedy. Many of the questions it raised continue to fester unresolved, as the author points out in the foreword. As the author’s family was personally impacted, all the stories have a very authentic feel.
This book has a set of very short & painful stories – all of which deal with people who had to leave abruptly, the place they called home since long. Even in the midst of resilience to survive, there was inevitably tragedy – painful decisions and loss of near and dear ones. While stories carry hope, they also carry a deep sense of loss and pain. I liked the writing style which is poignant with the emotional turmoil the characters go through being under-stated. The only drawback is that the stories are far too short, and hence characters sketchy, leading to poor recall once you finish reading them.
A tribute to people who have faced unimaginable tragedy and pain in their lives by moving to a new place to rebuild.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
This book has a set of very short & painful stories – all of which deal with people who had to leave abruptly, the place they called home since long. Even in the midst of resilience to survive, there was inevitably tragedy – painful decisions and loss of near and dear ones. While stories carry hope, they also carry a deep sense of loss and pain. I liked the writing style which is poignant with the emotional turmoil the characters go through being under-stated. The only drawback is that the stories are far too short, and hence characters sketchy, leading to poor recall once you finish reading them.
A tribute to people who have faced unimaginable tragedy and pain in their lives by moving to a new place to rebuild.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
September 1, 2019
These are words, emotions, and lives of people who had to flee; escape, run away, hide, and try their best to survive when 'some higher authorities' decided to divide their land. A land that was theirs belonged no more to them.
Tears, pain, agony, uncertainty, questions, betrayal, depression, murder, death, and venom ruled the land that was ruthlessly broken into two.
Amidst the overwhelming darkness were rays of light- friends who defined the relationship, families that provided a helping hand, strangers who became family.
Thousands of families perished; thousands survived, barely. Disjointed, destroyed, and desolate, they picked up the wrecked pieces of their lives in a feeble attempt to move on.
Some made it big, some lost it all. Either side cried for their misfortune even as the governments assured things would be better.
How can things be better? Relocating wasn't a choice. It was a compulsion. It was an order.
Years later, when they talk about the partition, tears fill those eyes. Voices choke with burdened emotions. Hands tremble as the memories of those dreadful days rake up the old wounds that never healed.
The book has 24 stories- of the past and present. Most with a hopeful ending; the rest dealing with the harsh realities one cannot, should not deny.
As long as one lives and even after, the stories have to be told. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren show know.
Read them when one gets old enough to realize what had happened. Read them again to understand how a single word was more than enough to destroy lives.
It has been long since I read a book that moved me as much as this one did. The partition has occurred long before I was born. But, somewhere in the corner of my heart, I cried for what had happened. The tears made their way back to my eyes when I started reading Hiraeth.
Shivani, thank you for writing the book. She is a friend and a fellow writer I admire. Her stories don't hit readers in the face. Instead, the words silently creep and crawl, filling the reader with unexplainable emotions. Hiraeth is no exception. It is proof of how simple words can break your heart.
The book uses regional languages to retain the authenticity of the stories. Each of those words and phrases has been explained in the footnotes of the same page. Hiraeth is a book I would recommend others to read.
Tears, pain, agony, uncertainty, questions, betrayal, depression, murder, death, and venom ruled the land that was ruthlessly broken into two.
Amidst the overwhelming darkness were rays of light- friends who defined the relationship, families that provided a helping hand, strangers who became family.
Thousands of families perished; thousands survived, barely. Disjointed, destroyed, and desolate, they picked up the wrecked pieces of their lives in a feeble attempt to move on.
Some made it big, some lost it all. Either side cried for their misfortune even as the governments assured things would be better.
How can things be better? Relocating wasn't a choice. It was a compulsion. It was an order.
Years later, when they talk about the partition, tears fill those eyes. Voices choke with burdened emotions. Hands tremble as the memories of those dreadful days rake up the old wounds that never healed.
The book has 24 stories- of the past and present. Most with a hopeful ending; the rest dealing with the harsh realities one cannot, should not deny.
As long as one lives and even after, the stories have to be told. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren show know.
Read them when one gets old enough to realize what had happened. Read them again to understand how a single word was more than enough to destroy lives.
It has been long since I read a book that moved me as much as this one did. The partition has occurred long before I was born. But, somewhere in the corner of my heart, I cried for what had happened. The tears made their way back to my eyes when I started reading Hiraeth.
Shivani, thank you for writing the book. She is a friend and a fellow writer I admire. Her stories don't hit readers in the face. Instead, the words silently creep and crawl, filling the reader with unexplainable emotions. Hiraeth is no exception. It is proof of how simple words can break your heart.
The book uses regional languages to retain the authenticity of the stories. Each of those words and phrases has been explained in the footnotes of the same page. Hiraeth is a book I would recommend others to read.
August 15, 2020
My grandfather used to talk about the months and days leading upto the happy occasion of Independence Day along with the unavoidable sorrow that the partition of the country brought. His neighbours in Mumbai were Sindhis who had fled from Lahore at the time, forced to leave everything behind. Apart from history lessons and television, these were my only direct sources of knowledge of this event that is described as the 'largest exodus of human beings in history'.
It was a no brainer therefore, to pick up this collection of stories that talks about the experiences of people who experienced this traumatic event and its effects years later on both countries.
What runs as a common thread through all the stories is the utter bewilderment and helplessness of the common people on both sides of the border who were directly affected by this decision.
They had lived together, often going back generations and most were so confident that no one could force them to leave their homes. Unfortunately, mob violence, riots and some truly misguided souls shattered this illusion of theirs and they had to flee, leaving behind possessions, heirlooms, property, everything they owned, to save their lives. So many people lost family members through death and worse, by getting separated in the melee and thus wondering for the rest of their lives whether the person they missed would come back alive or not!
It is difficult to read about this time without a lump in the throat and words are not enough to express the myriad emotions. Reading about the profound loss and sorrow of those who were forced to migrate to either side really gives a perspective about personal troubles that seem so monumental to us but are ultimately solvable.
A line drawn arbitrarily to divide a country, its location decided by foreigners who had already taken so much from it is the cruelest parting shot of the British. Then and now, it continues to trouble both countries.
Left to themselves the people of both nations connect so harmoniously as in some of these stories, realizing that they have so much in common. Hearing someone speak a language that united before the country was divided is such a joyous thing. Technological progress being instrumental in reuniting people who got separated decades ago but never lost hope, brings happy tears.
The use of words from dialects and languages spoken in united India at the time and India and Pakistan now, is something I loved. That makes them very personal. The focus on what individuals felt, how they helped their friends irrespective of religion and the suffering they went through during the journey and as refugees on both sides, instead of who was right or wrong or more unjust is something I liked about these stories.
Most of all, these stories really bring to the fore the need to remember that at our core we are all the same.
It was a no brainer therefore, to pick up this collection of stories that talks about the experiences of people who experienced this traumatic event and its effects years later on both countries.
What runs as a common thread through all the stories is the utter bewilderment and helplessness of the common people on both sides of the border who were directly affected by this decision.
They had lived together, often going back generations and most were so confident that no one could force them to leave their homes. Unfortunately, mob violence, riots and some truly misguided souls shattered this illusion of theirs and they had to flee, leaving behind possessions, heirlooms, property, everything they owned, to save their lives. So many people lost family members through death and worse, by getting separated in the melee and thus wondering for the rest of their lives whether the person they missed would come back alive or not!
It is difficult to read about this time without a lump in the throat and words are not enough to express the myriad emotions. Reading about the profound loss and sorrow of those who were forced to migrate to either side really gives a perspective about personal troubles that seem so monumental to us but are ultimately solvable.
A line drawn arbitrarily to divide a country, its location decided by foreigners who had already taken so much from it is the cruelest parting shot of the British. Then and now, it continues to trouble both countries.
Left to themselves the people of both nations connect so harmoniously as in some of these stories, realizing that they have so much in common. Hearing someone speak a language that united before the country was divided is such a joyous thing. Technological progress being instrumental in reuniting people who got separated decades ago but never lost hope, brings happy tears.
The use of words from dialects and languages spoken in united India at the time and India and Pakistan now, is something I loved. That makes them very personal. The focus on what individuals felt, how they helped their friends irrespective of religion and the suffering they went through during the journey and as refugees on both sides, instead of who was right or wrong or more unjust is something I liked about these stories.
Most of all, these stories really bring to the fore the need to remember that at our core we are all the same.
September 12, 2022
Hiraeth is a Welsh word roughly translating to "Longing for home" and this story depicts exactly that. Right before Indian independence the country was divided by an imaginary line on a huge swath of land and in no time 2 new countries were born. But the implications this imaginary line had on the mankind was enormous and not in the best sense. This imaginary line gave birth to what is described as one of the greatest exodus in history where people had to decide which side to go to. Where would their loyalties lie?
I am from the South of India and probably the effect of partition was much lower here as compared to the North, East and Western parts of India, especially Punjab. I haven't heard any stories of struggles during partition from my family and unfortunately I haven't even read any books on this topic. This book hit my emotions with all the pain the people went through during the exodus
A poignant anthology of 24 stories, this book talks and depicts the horrors and pain of picking sides, moving, leaving behind everything that was of value to you. The thoughts of a shaky future and surviving through the whole saga is pictured beautifully. The author herself is from a family who was affected by this and her writing depicts the pain and the stories shows the raw emotions.
Fluid story telling, beautiful prose and the liberal sprinkling of Hindi and Urdu words makes the writing very beautiful. And the icing on the cake is the cover. Kudos to the artist for coming up with such a innovative cover which depicts the book very well.
One of my gripe is that 2-3 stories are short due to which it might end up being forgotten soon after you read. And couple of stories felt like a space filler. Those stories could have been either avoided.
Overall, a wonderful book with lot of feelings and emotions. I highly recommend this book.
I rate this book at 4.25
I am from the South of India and probably the effect of partition was much lower here as compared to the North, East and Western parts of India, especially Punjab. I haven't heard any stories of struggles during partition from my family and unfortunately I haven't even read any books on this topic. This book hit my emotions with all the pain the people went through during the exodus
A poignant anthology of 24 stories, this book talks and depicts the horrors and pain of picking sides, moving, leaving behind everything that was of value to you. The thoughts of a shaky future and surviving through the whole saga is pictured beautifully. The author herself is from a family who was affected by this and her writing depicts the pain and the stories shows the raw emotions.
Fluid story telling, beautiful prose and the liberal sprinkling of Hindi and Urdu words makes the writing very beautiful. And the icing on the cake is the cover. Kudos to the artist for coming up with such a innovative cover which depicts the book very well.
One of my gripe is that 2-3 stories are short due to which it might end up being forgotten soon after you read. And couple of stories felt like a space filler. Those stories could have been either avoided.
Overall, a wonderful book with lot of feelings and emotions. I highly recommend this book.
I rate this book at 4.25
August 28, 2019
#BOOKREVIEW #LONGPOSTALERT #HIRAETH
Ever tried pouring fragrant chamomile tea into a dainty bone china cup, only to have it overflow the rim and pool in the saucer? What did you do then? I bet you picked up the cup but drank from the saucer first!
Well, that is what #HIRAETH felt like.
HIRAETH is neither a book nor a compilation of short stories. NO! HIRAETH is a river of emotions that gently flows into the crevices of your heart. It seeps in through the open pores of your skin and it envelopes you like a gossamer veil. It stays with you like a haunting melody that keeps niggling.
If you intend to pick this book up to read in passing, then I suggest you do not. That is not the way to read it. You cannot just pick up a volume of it and read it like a novel.
NO!
Like I mentioned above, HIRAETH is a brimming cup of fragrant tea that you have to enjoy with your inner senses. Just like you would close your eyes to take a whiff of the calming aroma of chamomile, HIRAETH should be enjoyed in solitude. Pick this up as a companion on a particularly long flight. Treat it as a duvet to wrap yourself with on a lonely night. Or, just sink into it but, savor it for every story here is the tale of a family. It is inspired by their struggle and the least we can do is honor them by reading the book in the spirit in which it is penned.
There are some lines of this book that shall forever stay with me. I reproduce them here.
1. Page 5 (story title alfaaz) – //She could only utter one word, “Veer ji...,” before she dissolved into tears. A long silence later came a cautious voice from the other side, “Shanno...”
2. Page 13 (story title Beaaz) - //morning turned to late afternoon when finally, the two tired men staggered back. As the grown-ups exchanged glances, kartar’s eyes fell on a familiar book that Bauji was clutching hard.//
3. Page 41 (story title Hireath) – //There was a nip in the air signaling that winter was knocking their doors – except that there were no doors now.//
I could continue because there are many such sentences littered throughout the book that touched me deeply. But, I believe this is a book that everyone must read by themselves. They must interpret the roiling emotions that this arouses on their own and finally emerge changed for the better.
All I can say is - Shivani Salil, thank you for writing this.
Purchase link - https://www.amazon.in/Hiraeth-Parti…/...…
July 14, 2022
Hiraeth
Dr. Shivani Salil
4.25⭐
August 1947. A nation on tenterhooks. Rumours flying fast of a division. A line that would be etched in blood across one nation, rendering it into two. The chaos and bloodshed that ensued left lasting imprints on the minds of those who witnessed the horrors. Trains full of corpses, fields rotting with ravaged bodies of women. Women immolating themselves, men cutting up each other like feral beasts. But among these stories there were also stories of humanity. Of complete strangers helping each other, of relationships established with a glance, of hands that held and supported. Of generosity of spirit and kindness of heart. Hiraeth by Shivani Salil is about these stories, stories of survival, stories of hope, of pain, loss and longing. About a place that no longer exists, and hence those who long for it, can only mourn and cherish the precious few fond memories that they have.
Written in a simple stark style and sprinkled generously with Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi words, the authentic flavour of these tales hits hard. The author has put the limelight on the stories instead of stealing it with her prose. The people, their impossible situation and their struggles make for a bitter reading but there are also that are poignant and some that shine with hope.
The balance that comes across in the stories is commendable. One community isn't painted as the culprit and she deftly shows that all communities faced the toughest times of their lives, as one. There were both good people and bad people in every faith, who did what they felt they had to do. I did feel that some stories could have been structured better to highlight the end, for a greater effect. But that doesn't take away from the poignancy of the book whatsoever. The cover deserves a special mention for depicting the soul of the book perfectly.
In short, a well written, balanced book, with stories that shed light on the darkest period of the Indian nation without prejudice but a lot of pain. But then, when you pick a book called Hiraeth, you can't hope to escape that.
Dr. Shivani Salil
4.25⭐
August 1947. A nation on tenterhooks. Rumours flying fast of a division. A line that would be etched in blood across one nation, rendering it into two. The chaos and bloodshed that ensued left lasting imprints on the minds of those who witnessed the horrors. Trains full of corpses, fields rotting with ravaged bodies of women. Women immolating themselves, men cutting up each other like feral beasts. But among these stories there were also stories of humanity. Of complete strangers helping each other, of relationships established with a glance, of hands that held and supported. Of generosity of spirit and kindness of heart. Hiraeth by Shivani Salil is about these stories, stories of survival, stories of hope, of pain, loss and longing. About a place that no longer exists, and hence those who long for it, can only mourn and cherish the precious few fond memories that they have.
Written in a simple stark style and sprinkled generously with Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi words, the authentic flavour of these tales hits hard. The author has put the limelight on the stories instead of stealing it with her prose. The people, their impossible situation and their struggles make for a bitter reading but there are also that are poignant and some that shine with hope.
The balance that comes across in the stories is commendable. One community isn't painted as the culprit and she deftly shows that all communities faced the toughest times of their lives, as one. There were both good people and bad people in every faith, who did what they felt they had to do. I did feel that some stories could have been structured better to highlight the end, for a greater effect. But that doesn't take away from the poignancy of the book whatsoever. The cover deserves a special mention for depicting the soul of the book perfectly.
In short, a well written, balanced book, with stories that shed light on the darkest period of the Indian nation without prejudice but a lot of pain. But then, when you pick a book called Hiraeth, you can't hope to escape that.
January 24, 2020
I have a belief, and I know that it sounds like mumbo-jumbo, but I believe that there are some certain times that, because they are witness to great suffering or great joy, become imprinted on our souls. As a result, the stories that are told about these times, are universal, because irrespective of one's nationality/religion/race etc, one is able to identify some essential truths in them; and timeless, because these truths hold across dimensions of time and space.
Hiraeth, by Dr Shivani Salil, is an anthology of 24 such stories. Inspired by real people and their own experiences of the Partition these stories tug at the heartstrings and I was often moved to tears. The author herself, has ancestors who were displaced by the Partition and this makes the book that much more personal.
Shivani is able to situate the reader in the emotional time and space of the characters, bringing alive their hopes and fears for us. There is a clarity to her writing, that makes her writing empathetic, while eschewing melodrama.
What I especially appreciate is that while she has given expression to the pain and the horror of the Partition, what we take away, again and again, are messages of love and hope. Of people standing up for each other. And on both sides of the border --a reminder that India and Pakistan were equally hurt, that there too, there are human souls and not just the boogeymen that our politicians would have us fear.
It is difficult for me to pick out favourites from among these stories, as they are all so well written. However, some of the stories that really moved me in this collection are, Beaaz, Chinh, Ghiza, Izzat, Jazbaat, Musavvir, Radcliffe Line, Tadbeer, and Zakhm.
A bit of praise for the cover as well. The cover, which so beautifully captures the tragedy of the Partition-- the intact roots of a tree split by lightning saying everything; was painted by Dr Pratishtha Banga Chaudhuri, a friend of the author, and the granddaughter of a person who moved from Lahore to Alwar during the Partition.
I'd purchased my copy of the book ages ago, but for a variety of reasons, never got around to reading it till now. I needed to be in a certain frame of mind to process this book. I couldn't have read it at a better time.
Now, more than ever, we need these stories.
So do pick up a copy of Hiraeth. I promise you, that you will not regret it.
I leave you with these lines from the story Zakhm, which we must reflect on:
//I have understood that no one is interested in treating these wounds. Left like this, they will never heal, they will just fester. Maybe that is how many would prefer it to be.//
Hiraeth, by Dr Shivani Salil, is an anthology of 24 such stories. Inspired by real people and their own experiences of the Partition these stories tug at the heartstrings and I was often moved to tears. The author herself, has ancestors who were displaced by the Partition and this makes the book that much more personal.
Shivani is able to situate the reader in the emotional time and space of the characters, bringing alive their hopes and fears for us. There is a clarity to her writing, that makes her writing empathetic, while eschewing melodrama.
What I especially appreciate is that while she has given expression to the pain and the horror of the Partition, what we take away, again and again, are messages of love and hope. Of people standing up for each other. And on both sides of the border --a reminder that India and Pakistan were equally hurt, that there too, there are human souls and not just the boogeymen that our politicians would have us fear.
It is difficult for me to pick out favourites from among these stories, as they are all so well written. However, some of the stories that really moved me in this collection are, Beaaz, Chinh, Ghiza, Izzat, Jazbaat, Musavvir, Radcliffe Line, Tadbeer, and Zakhm.
A bit of praise for the cover as well. The cover, which so beautifully captures the tragedy of the Partition-- the intact roots of a tree split by lightning saying everything; was painted by Dr Pratishtha Banga Chaudhuri, a friend of the author, and the granddaughter of a person who moved from Lahore to Alwar during the Partition.
I'd purchased my copy of the book ages ago, but for a variety of reasons, never got around to reading it till now. I needed to be in a certain frame of mind to process this book. I couldn't have read it at a better time.
Now, more than ever, we need these stories.
So do pick up a copy of Hiraeth. I promise you, that you will not regret it.
I leave you with these lines from the story Zakhm, which we must reflect on:
//I have understood that no one is interested in treating these wounds. Left like this, they will never heal, they will just fester. Maybe that is how many would prefer it to be.//
March 19, 2022
Hiraeth: Partition stories from 1947
Author-Dr. Shivani Salil
Publications-ArtoonsInn room9 Publications
Language-English
ISBN-8194132622
Rating-4.5/5
The book, a collection of 24 stories, is set in the tumultuous backdrop of partition, with mobs—both Hindus and Muslims grappling with the brutal realities of abandoning their home.
There are communal riots, people are being butchered, land and valuables pillaged and plundered, women raped, and children persecuted and tortured. The air crackles with intense horror; the sight and odor of deceit, duplicity, and betrayal are rampant as men crumble to the ground in gnarled clusters.
The earth they called their mother—their native land suddenly becomes fraught with dangers, brimming with adversaries out for blood. Amidst the tumult, however, there is tenderness, kindness, tolerance, and warmth only if one looks deep enough.
This thread makes the frail yet complex fabric for Dr. Salil’s poignant, rich and memorable stories.
Inspired by true events, narrated with subtle finesse and keen perception, these stories have their roots entrenched deep in the soil at the border of India and Pakistan. Like tree boughs growing simultaneously in different directions, the characters and their life stories thrust out, criss-cross, and end up in refugee camps, railway stations, deserted, dilapidated bungalows, and places of worship.
The protagonists, Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims, in the equal majority, grace the stories with delicate poise, bringing a unique color and cultural nuance. Dr. Salil sketches her characters with tragic vulnerability, flaws, and shortcomings, making them endearing and realistic.
Gracious use of sublime Urdu and Sikh poetry and gorgeous Poshto, Punjabi, Hindi dialogues accentuate the local flavor. The stories are tastefully titled, ranging alphabetically from A to Z, denoting a spectrum of emotions: melancholy, yearning for the homeland, grief, joy, and even bliss.
Some stories cut deeper than a scalpel, and there are those which heal, inspire, and unite.
My favorite pieces are Hiraeth, Izzat, Jazbaat, Ghiza, Kulfat, and Quam.
The review of the book will remain incomplete if I don’t mention the stunning cover.
Designed by Dr. Banga, the cover image depicts an intense lightning bolt splitting a tree trunk in two, severing and tearing it apart from the inside out. The strike runs vertically, ending just above the ground, leaving the roots untouched. However, the damage is done; the tree will survive but remain scarred for life—destined to decay and decline with time, just like some of the characters in the book.
Long after finishing the stories, I gawked at the cover, expecting it somehow to quieten the vortex of emotions the stories churned. And as if on cue, the image morphed right before my eyes, revealing layers I didn’t know existed.
The tree’s branches that I thought looked like split maps of India and Pakistan transformed into silhouettes of teary-eyed people facing each other. The first thought it evoked was how neighbors had become sworn enemies, ripped apart by a sudden, catastrophic disaster they couldn’t control; they are the same yet different. Close yet so far apart.
The image is powerful, unsettling, and melancholic, speaking volumes about the stories tucked in its seams.
Rewarding, heart-rending, vivid, and visual.
Dr. Salil takes you back in time and plunges you right in the middle of riveting tension, contrived hatred, and monstrous villainy. The stories break something inside you and make you want to curl up and cry a little.
Highly recommended.
The insight into human nature—the display of exceptional courage, unapologetic dignity, and steely nerves in the face of absolute devastation makes for a moving narrative.
Author-Dr. Shivani Salil
Publications-ArtoonsInn room9 Publications
Language-English
ISBN-8194132622
Rating-4.5/5
The book, a collection of 24 stories, is set in the tumultuous backdrop of partition, with mobs—both Hindus and Muslims grappling with the brutal realities of abandoning their home.
There are communal riots, people are being butchered, land and valuables pillaged and plundered, women raped, and children persecuted and tortured. The air crackles with intense horror; the sight and odor of deceit, duplicity, and betrayal are rampant as men crumble to the ground in gnarled clusters.
The earth they called their mother—their native land suddenly becomes fraught with dangers, brimming with adversaries out for blood. Amidst the tumult, however, there is tenderness, kindness, tolerance, and warmth only if one looks deep enough.
This thread makes the frail yet complex fabric for Dr. Salil’s poignant, rich and memorable stories.
Inspired by true events, narrated with subtle finesse and keen perception, these stories have their roots entrenched deep in the soil at the border of India and Pakistan. Like tree boughs growing simultaneously in different directions, the characters and their life stories thrust out, criss-cross, and end up in refugee camps, railway stations, deserted, dilapidated bungalows, and places of worship.
The protagonists, Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims, in the equal majority, grace the stories with delicate poise, bringing a unique color and cultural nuance. Dr. Salil sketches her characters with tragic vulnerability, flaws, and shortcomings, making them endearing and realistic.
Gracious use of sublime Urdu and Sikh poetry and gorgeous Poshto, Punjabi, Hindi dialogues accentuate the local flavor. The stories are tastefully titled, ranging alphabetically from A to Z, denoting a spectrum of emotions: melancholy, yearning for the homeland, grief, joy, and even bliss.
Some stories cut deeper than a scalpel, and there are those which heal, inspire, and unite.
My favorite pieces are Hiraeth, Izzat, Jazbaat, Ghiza, Kulfat, and Quam.
The review of the book will remain incomplete if I don’t mention the stunning cover.
Designed by Dr. Banga, the cover image depicts an intense lightning bolt splitting a tree trunk in two, severing and tearing it apart from the inside out. The strike runs vertically, ending just above the ground, leaving the roots untouched. However, the damage is done; the tree will survive but remain scarred for life—destined to decay and decline with time, just like some of the characters in the book.
Long after finishing the stories, I gawked at the cover, expecting it somehow to quieten the vortex of emotions the stories churned. And as if on cue, the image morphed right before my eyes, revealing layers I didn’t know existed.
The tree’s branches that I thought looked like split maps of India and Pakistan transformed into silhouettes of teary-eyed people facing each other. The first thought it evoked was how neighbors had become sworn enemies, ripped apart by a sudden, catastrophic disaster they couldn’t control; they are the same yet different. Close yet so far apart.
The image is powerful, unsettling, and melancholic, speaking volumes about the stories tucked in its seams.
Rewarding, heart-rending, vivid, and visual.
Dr. Salil takes you back in time and plunges you right in the middle of riveting tension, contrived hatred, and monstrous villainy. The stories break something inside you and make you want to curl up and cry a little.
Highly recommended.
The insight into human nature—the display of exceptional courage, unapologetic dignity, and steely nerves in the face of absolute devastation makes for a moving narrative.
September 28, 2020
The book is full of emotions.We were not there at that time but we can visualize that scenes by reading this book.Thanks for writing this book in such a impressive and interesting way.
October 29, 2020
There are some books that are too personal. Stories that are an emotion. Hiraeth: Partition Stories From 1947 by Dr. Shivani Salil is one such book.
Both the title and the cover are a perfect prelude to the stories within. Hiraeth is a Welsh word that means “yearning for home”. There could not be more apt a title. The cover with a bolt of lighting dividing the country but with common roots is indeed true for the people of Punjab on both sides of the border. Political borders may have been drawn, but we share our language, food, and culture.
The book is a collection of twenty-four standalone short stories. Each story has an Urdu title. A fascinating language and one that was a language of Punjab. Back then, Urdu was not considered a Muslim language. There is a generous dose of the colloquial that adds to the narrative. There are stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Heartbreaking stories of loss. Stories that leave you with a lump in your throat. There are also uplifting stories of hope. This is not the kind of book you read in one sitting. The stories make you introspect. And often shock you when you realize they are true.
The writing style is lucid. Although a debut author, Dr. Shivani has mastered the art of storytelling. You are transported to the streets of Punjab, the lanes of refugee camps, and can almost smell the sense of loss and yearning.
I cannot recommend the book enough. You don’t need to belong to a family of refugees to pick up the book. If you enjoy reading human stories, this is the book for you.
Both the title and the cover are a perfect prelude to the stories within. Hiraeth is a Welsh word that means “yearning for home”. There could not be more apt a title. The cover with a bolt of lighting dividing the country but with common roots is indeed true for the people of Punjab on both sides of the border. Political borders may have been drawn, but we share our language, food, and culture.
The book is a collection of twenty-four standalone short stories. Each story has an Urdu title. A fascinating language and one that was a language of Punjab. Back then, Urdu was not considered a Muslim language. There is a generous dose of the colloquial that adds to the narrative. There are stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Heartbreaking stories of loss. Stories that leave you with a lump in your throat. There are also uplifting stories of hope. This is not the kind of book you read in one sitting. The stories make you introspect. And often shock you when you realize they are true.
The writing style is lucid. Although a debut author, Dr. Shivani has mastered the art of storytelling. You are transported to the streets of Punjab, the lanes of refugee camps, and can almost smell the sense of loss and yearning.
I cannot recommend the book enough. You don’t need to belong to a family of refugees to pick up the book. If you enjoy reading human stories, this is the book for you.
March 7, 2020
The times we are living in where people are fighting over religion and spreading hatred, Hiraeth is a must read. It takes you on an emotional ride, you will feel the pain people had gone through during partition. It makes you realise how happy they were together without any discrimination of caste and religion. And how dreadful it was for them when suddenly a line was drawn between them and their homes. They were given no choice but to leave. Their abode, their belongings, their friends and a piece of their heart and soul. Grab this book and read it to your children too. An excellent job done by the author. Doesn't look like a work of a debut author as it has all the ingredients of an entertaining book. Every story is crafted with love and truckload of emotions with simple language and smooth narration. It will stay with me for a long long time.
September 18, 2021
Hiraeth, by Dr. Shivani Salil, is like a soothing balm in our divisive times. The stories are beautiful, with a melange of melancholic and joyous endings. But every story is one that of love, hope, resilience, and inclusiveness with an underlying ‘unity in diversity’ theme.
We need more such secular messages in mainstream art and literature today. The book is also a grim reminder of what humanity can come to if we fall for the trap called nationalism.
Hiraeth is a must-read without a doubt. Even though the stories are brief, I’d recommend reading it in 2-3 sittings to let the essence of the stories and its emotions sink in.
You can read my full review here: https://thetinaedit.com/2020/01/08/bo...
We need more such secular messages in mainstream art and literature today. The book is also a grim reminder of what humanity can come to if we fall for the trap called nationalism.
Hiraeth is a must-read without a doubt. Even though the stories are brief, I’d recommend reading it in 2-3 sittings to let the essence of the stories and its emotions sink in.
You can read my full review here: https://thetinaedit.com/2020/01/08/bo...
September 1, 2019
Hi Shivani,
I must thank you for giving us such a nice book (Hiraeth). Great material to read and to share. I talked about its background to my students, they requested me to read out the stories to them. You know, none of them knew about it. They were dumbstruck to listen how much their grandparents had faced. Even one girl said " तभी तो जब भी हम पाकिस्तान की बुराई करते हैं, दादी रोने लग जाती है" . Even I imagined how would the book of 'Mir' look or how was the chinh marked (Parsee ka makaan).
Pls accept my heartful gratitude to bring us such a golden piece of literature.
May your writings keep flourishing !
I must thank you for giving us such a nice book (Hiraeth). Great material to read and to share. I talked about its background to my students, they requested me to read out the stories to them. You know, none of them knew about it. They were dumbstruck to listen how much their grandparents had faced. Even one girl said " तभी तो जब भी हम पाकिस्तान की बुराई करते हैं, दादी रोने लग जाती है" . Even I imagined how would the book of 'Mir' look or how was the chinh marked (Parsee ka makaan).
Pls accept my heartful gratitude to bring us such a golden piece of literature.
May your writings keep flourishing !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2021
Borrowed the book from my mother who was gifted it by the author herself.
I’m a sucker for historical stories - the World Wars and the Indian independence movement being my time periods (incidents?) of choice. Bonus: both sets of my grandparents came over to India during the partition.
This book is sure to take you back in time, even if you’re not like me. It reminds you of the horrors and tragedy that our ancestors faced in that turbulent time. I know that sounds unappealing, but I say read it - remember the atrocities committed (on all humanity) in the name of religion so we may never repeat it.
Quick short read - 1.5hrs.
I’m a sucker for historical stories - the World Wars and the Indian independence movement being my time periods (incidents?) of choice. Bonus: both sets of my grandparents came over to India during the partition.
This book is sure to take you back in time, even if you’re not like me. It reminds you of the horrors and tragedy that our ancestors faced in that turbulent time. I know that sounds unappealing, but I say read it - remember the atrocities committed (on all humanity) in the name of religion so we may never repeat it.
Quick short read - 1.5hrs.
October 16, 2019
This is an amazing Book. Very good style of writing. One really feels as if he is visualizing the events. The agony of partition events are really touching.
I look forward to read more books by Dr.Shivani Salil
I look forward to read more books by Dr.Shivani Salil
October 19, 2020
Hiraeth. A Welsh word that almost cannot be explained, because it is an experience, an emotion that must be felt from within. A feeling of longing, of homesickness. Could there be a better title for this book by Dr.Shivani Salil on the Indo-Pak partition of 1947? 26 stories that take you back to the reality, the misery, the betrayal, the sense of loss and at the same time of hope, that this unfortunate historic event triggered.
What a painful period that was! And what gut wrenching tragedies the book makes you privy to. Imagining the plight of those trapped in it sent shivers down my spine. The world's history has some moments that can only be looked back upon with regret and the partition is undoubtedly one of them! As Dr.Salil puts it - "A random line that was drawn across a nation, by the powers to be, dictated its people to take sides....There were no goodbyes to the places he loved or to the friends he never met again."
The author has captured the essence of this pain so magnificently in her work that it is frankly quite devastating! If 'Alfaaz' and 'Yaadein' brought happy tears to my eyes, 'Beaaz' and 'Saans' made me feel like a dagger had been plunged into my heart. Where 'Chinh' made me believe in miracles, 'Dhokha' left my heart shattered. 'Izzat' made me numb, yet 'Pairahan' and 'Vatani' filled with a strange sense of exhilaration. Every single story, inspired by real incidents, touches you in ways that only a gifted writer's words can.
What's also worth mentioning is the title to every story, an Urdu word that sets the tone for the story itself. Clearly, it is a book with much thought behind it. Such is the visual imagery the writing possesses, such is the depth of emotions coursing through this book that the stories leave their imprint on your mind and soul for a long, long time!
Hiraeth. An emotion, not a book, much like the word itself. Pick this book, for these are stories of the generation behind us that are worth being told and repeated to for all generations to come!
What a painful period that was! And what gut wrenching tragedies the book makes you privy to. Imagining the plight of those trapped in it sent shivers down my spine. The world's history has some moments that can only be looked back upon with regret and the partition is undoubtedly one of them! As Dr.Salil puts it - "A random line that was drawn across a nation, by the powers to be, dictated its people to take sides....There were no goodbyes to the places he loved or to the friends he never met again."
The author has captured the essence of this pain so magnificently in her work that it is frankly quite devastating! If 'Alfaaz' and 'Yaadein' brought happy tears to my eyes, 'Beaaz' and 'Saans' made me feel like a dagger had been plunged into my heart. Where 'Chinh' made me believe in miracles, 'Dhokha' left my heart shattered. 'Izzat' made me numb, yet 'Pairahan' and 'Vatani' filled with a strange sense of exhilaration. Every single story, inspired by real incidents, touches you in ways that only a gifted writer's words can.
What's also worth mentioning is the title to every story, an Urdu word that sets the tone for the story itself. Clearly, it is a book with much thought behind it. Such is the visual imagery the writing possesses, such is the depth of emotions coursing through this book that the stories leave their imprint on your mind and soul for a long, long time!
Hiraeth. An emotion, not a book, much like the word itself. Pick this book, for these are stories of the generation behind us that are worth being told and repeated to for all generations to come!
March 25, 2020
I had until now steered clear from reading any accounts on Partition (except for Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan, which I had decided would be the only book I read on this subject).
But what I had run away from a fellow writer and author, Dr. Shivani Salil, handed over to me in my hands. I immediately put the book away, not even wanting to look at it. The cover image itself is so arresting and powerful that it immediately gives you a sense of what the book will take you through. And just in case you don’t get a strong enough hint, the Preface will do the rest.
‘Some were looted on the way, some lost their dear ones to mindless violence, pestilence, and circumstances. We’re still reeling from the hostility, suspicion, and violence that followed in its wake.’
There was no doubt in my mind then that this book would do what I had managed to avoid for years – reduce me to a breathless bawling mess of a person. And, it did.
The collection of stories are varied and creatively titled on objects and emotions that have immense value in human life – words, books, meal, luck, clothes, etc. The first story is titled ‘Words’ and the collection ends with ‘Memories’ and ‘Words’. It was reading the list of Contents itself that caused a lump in my throat.
Hence, you can imagine my state when I actually began reading the stories. By Page 3, my eyes were wet. By the time, the story ended, I, much like the protagonist Shano, had dissolved into tears. The first story, aptly titled Alfaaz, left me speechless.
I knew then with even more surety than before what I was in for and prepared myself for a more tearful next few hours. The rest of the stories are equally impactful and heart-wrenching, but this is definitely not a book to be read in one sitting.
Shivani Salil, I cannot thank you enough for writing this one, and more importantly, for giving me this book to read.
But what I had run away from a fellow writer and author, Dr. Shivani Salil, handed over to me in my hands. I immediately put the book away, not even wanting to look at it. The cover image itself is so arresting and powerful that it immediately gives you a sense of what the book will take you through. And just in case you don’t get a strong enough hint, the Preface will do the rest.
‘Some were looted on the way, some lost their dear ones to mindless violence, pestilence, and circumstances. We’re still reeling from the hostility, suspicion, and violence that followed in its wake.’
There was no doubt in my mind then that this book would do what I had managed to avoid for years – reduce me to a breathless bawling mess of a person. And, it did.
The collection of stories are varied and creatively titled on objects and emotions that have immense value in human life – words, books, meal, luck, clothes, etc. The first story is titled ‘Words’ and the collection ends with ‘Memories’ and ‘Words’. It was reading the list of Contents itself that caused a lump in my throat.
Hence, you can imagine my state when I actually began reading the stories. By Page 3, my eyes were wet. By the time, the story ended, I, much like the protagonist Shano, had dissolved into tears. The first story, aptly titled Alfaaz, left me speechless.
I knew then with even more surety than before what I was in for and prepared myself for a more tearful next few hours. The rest of the stories are equally impactful and heart-wrenching, but this is definitely not a book to be read in one sitting.
Shivani Salil, I cannot thank you enough for writing this one, and more importantly, for giving me this book to read.
January 27, 2021
Growing up as a child of the British Empire when India was partitioned in 1947 I was aware from the newspapers of the time that there was much associated communal strife and loss of life. But this was all occurring in a country many thousands of kilometres away and the numbers of casualties were so large as to be beyond comprehension. Even later, after reading more detailed and comprehensive histories of Partition, it remained difficult to appreciate the enormity of the peoples’ suffering.
This book is a collection of events of the time based on the recollections of the actual experiences of ordinary Indian families caught up in that maelstrom of hatred and violence. But now since everything happening is described at an individual or family level, it is much easier to relate to the forced migration from ancestral homes to new locations in distant foreign places, to the sheer terror as a baying mob invaded the tranquillity of a family neighbourhood, to the worry about a missing child or to the anguish following the murder of a family member. I read each of these unrelated stories sequentially at first but then realised that they deserve to be read individually, so as to dwell longer on each and thus to better visualise and contextualise what happened. Vivid images remained in my mind and still recurred many days afterwards.
By recording these stories of actual events Dr Shivani has made an important contribution to the history of a momentous event. Her book well supplements the scholarly writing of professional historians and she is to be congratulated for her initiative and skill in writing it. I do hope she continues to collect more family stories before time overtakes that opportunity.
This book is a collection of events of the time based on the recollections of the actual experiences of ordinary Indian families caught up in that maelstrom of hatred and violence. But now since everything happening is described at an individual or family level, it is much easier to relate to the forced migration from ancestral homes to new locations in distant foreign places, to the sheer terror as a baying mob invaded the tranquillity of a family neighbourhood, to the worry about a missing child or to the anguish following the murder of a family member. I read each of these unrelated stories sequentially at first but then realised that they deserve to be read individually, so as to dwell longer on each and thus to better visualise and contextualise what happened. Vivid images remained in my mind and still recurred many days afterwards.
By recording these stories of actual events Dr Shivani has made an important contribution to the history of a momentous event. Her book well supplements the scholarly writing of professional historians and she is to be congratulated for her initiative and skill in writing it. I do hope she continues to collect more family stories before time overtakes that opportunity.
September 22, 2020
Book Review
Hiraeth by Dr.Shivani Salil
Being an avid student of history, Partition has always held a lot of meaning for me. This book came highly recommended in a writer's group and I got intrigued. Short stories of varied hues and colors form a beautiful tapestry of a very vividly imaginative book. The stories tug at your heart, some make you bleed, some make you question.
Every story is deeply etched, characters poignant. I loved all of them although Qaum (Nation) and Lahore are my favorites. Partition is a truth although few talk about it now. Few care about the millions that died on both side of the man made, flimsy border. But the truth is buried under the blood soaked earth, under layers of mundane.
The author has used the local dialect and words beautifully in her story that only add to the essence of the stories. I was mesmerized with the language, simple yet so profound. Such a delicate subject has been dealt with such a remarkable finesse that at the end of it you don't feel bad for a particular religion or region, instead you feel bad for everyone involved. For a girl who is killed by her father to save her honor, for a shop owner with bustling business or for a wife who just can't cry when she learns of her husband's death. The stories make you question the sanity of the men involved, who pounced upon innocent and unleashed unspeakable horrors. Sometimes even neighbors or acquaintances. It makes you realize that what truly matters is courage to fight and survive. Nothing else.
What a gorgeous little book!
Hiraeth by Dr.Shivani Salil
Being an avid student of history, Partition has always held a lot of meaning for me. This book came highly recommended in a writer's group and I got intrigued. Short stories of varied hues and colors form a beautiful tapestry of a very vividly imaginative book. The stories tug at your heart, some make you bleed, some make you question.
Every story is deeply etched, characters poignant. I loved all of them although Qaum (Nation) and Lahore are my favorites. Partition is a truth although few talk about it now. Few care about the millions that died on both side of the man made, flimsy border. But the truth is buried under the blood soaked earth, under layers of mundane.
The author has used the local dialect and words beautifully in her story that only add to the essence of the stories. I was mesmerized with the language, simple yet so profound. Such a delicate subject has been dealt with such a remarkable finesse that at the end of it you don't feel bad for a particular religion or region, instead you feel bad for everyone involved. For a girl who is killed by her father to save her honor, for a shop owner with bustling business or for a wife who just can't cry when she learns of her husband's death. The stories make you question the sanity of the men involved, who pounced upon innocent and unleashed unspeakable horrors. Sometimes even neighbors or acquaintances. It makes you realize that what truly matters is courage to fight and survive. Nothing else.
What a gorgeous little book!
August 2, 2020
Books on partition have always piqued my curiosity, more so because I grew up listening to tales of partition from my maternal grandparents who came to India from Pakistan. I have read many books on forced migration, but this book particularly caught my attention. What intrigued me the most was the title 'Hiraeth' which means an emotion that cannot be translated and the cover painting which is a beautiful expression of the essence of this book.
The book is set in the days of India-Pakistan partition in 1947 and events that followed in many people's lives. It is a collection of stories of people on both sides of the border and the emotional and physical turmoil they went through during those times. It tells beautiful tales of people who were forced to leave everything they knew behind, to come to a new land, and start afresh. As I read the book, there were many times when my eyes welled up, such is the honesty and conviction with which the author has communicated the feelings of those people. Some stories took me back to memory lanes, they were so similar to what my Naani would tell me. This is not just a book, it is an emotion that is heartwarming but at the same time, it makes you feel little melancholy reading the explicit reality of the partition.
Dear Shivani, please keep writing with the same veracity and sincerity. Your words have the power to entice the reader, and I am certain you will go places with your powerful writing.
The book is set in the days of India-Pakistan partition in 1947 and events that followed in many people's lives. It is a collection of stories of people on both sides of the border and the emotional and physical turmoil they went through during those times. It tells beautiful tales of people who were forced to leave everything they knew behind, to come to a new land, and start afresh. As I read the book, there were many times when my eyes welled up, such is the honesty and conviction with which the author has communicated the feelings of those people. Some stories took me back to memory lanes, they were so similar to what my Naani would tell me. This is not just a book, it is an emotion that is heartwarming but at the same time, it makes you feel little melancholy reading the explicit reality of the partition.
Dear Shivani, please keep writing with the same veracity and sincerity. Your words have the power to entice the reader, and I am certain you will go places with your powerful writing.
Read
September 14, 2020HIRAETH
Hiraeth - लेखिका - डॉ. शिवानी सलिल
पुस्तक हातात घेतल्यापासून एक कुतुहल जागृत झालं मनात, अगदी पुस्तकाच्या नावाच्या उच्चारापासून ते अर्थापर्यंत. लेखिका माझ्या जवळच्या मैत्रिणींपैकी एकीची सून. त्यामुळे कौतुक तर होतेच. पुस्तक एक कथासंग्रह आहे. तरीही एकदा वाचायला सुरुवात केल्यावर पुस्तक पूर्ण वाचून झाल्याशिवाय हातातून खाली ठेववत नाही. लेखिका डॉक्टर असल्याने इंग्रजी भाषेवर तिचे प्रभुत्व आहे. तरीही क्लिष्ट किंवा बोजड शब्द न वापरता साधे सोपे शब्द आणि ओघवती भाषा वापरली आहे त्यामुळे पुस्तक मनाची पकड घेते. पुस्तक भारत पाकिस्तान फाळणीच्या वेळी दोन्ही बाजूच्या लोकांना ज्या प्रसंगातून जावे लागले, ज्या यातना भोगाव्या लागल्या त्यावर आहे. सत्यघटनांवर आधारित छोट्या छोट्या कथा लिहून लेखिकेने जणू ते प्रसंग आपल्या समोर जिवंत केले आहेत. पुसतकाचे मुखपृष्ठ हि अतिशय बोलके आहे. मला किंवा माझ्या सारख्या किती तरी जणांना फाळणीच्या प्रत्यक्ष झळा सोसाव्या लागल्या नाहीत. तरीही लहानपणापासून ज्या गोष्टी ऐकल्या किंवा जे सिनेमा पाहिले त्यावरून फाळणी हा शब्द जरी ऐकला तरी अंगावर काटा येतो. अशा फाळणीच्या वेळी जे लोक स्थलांतरित झाले त्यापैकी एक होते लेखिकेच्या कुटुंबातील सदस्य. त्यामुळे लेखिकेचे मन ह्या बाबतीत हळवे असणे अतिशय स्वाभाविक आहे. ज्यांना ते भोगावे लागले, त्यांना आज इतक्या वर्षांनी पुन्हा त्या विषयावर बोलते करणे म्हणजे त्यांच्या जखमेवरची खपली काढण्यासारखे आहे. तरीही लेखिकेने हे शिवधनुष्य समर्थपणे पेलले आहे.
डॉ. शिवानीला तिच्या पुढील प्रवासासाठी खूप खूप शुभेच्छा.
तिच्या कडून असेच खूप लिखाण होवो हीच सदिच्छा.
स्मिता चित्रे.
Hiraeth - लेखिका - डॉ. शिवानी सलिल
पुस्तक हातात घेतल्यापासून एक कुतुहल जागृत झालं मनात, अगदी पुस्तकाच्या नावाच्या उच्चारापासून ते अर्थापर्यंत. लेखिका माझ्या जवळच्या मैत्रिणींपैकी एकीची सून. त्यामुळे कौतुक तर होतेच. पुस्तक एक कथासंग्रह आहे. तरीही एकदा वाचायला सुरुवात केल्यावर पुस्तक पूर्ण वाचून झाल्याशिवाय हातातून खाली ठेववत नाही. लेखिका डॉक्टर असल्याने इंग्रजी भाषेवर तिचे प्रभुत्व आहे. तरीही क्लिष्ट किंवा बोजड शब्द न वापरता साधे सोपे शब्द आणि ओघवती भाषा वापरली आहे त्यामुळे पुस्तक मनाची पकड घेते. पुस्तक भारत पाकिस्तान फाळणीच्या वेळी दोन्ही बाजूच्या लोकांना ज्या प्रसंगातून जावे लागले, ज्या यातना भोगाव्या लागल्या त्यावर आहे. सत्यघटनांवर आधारित छोट्या छोट्या कथा लिहून लेखिकेने जणू ते प्रसंग आपल्या समोर जिवंत केले आहेत. पुसतकाचे मुखपृष्ठ हि अतिशय बोलके आहे. मला किंवा माझ्या सारख्या किती तरी जणांना फाळणीच्या प्रत्यक्ष झळा सोसाव्या लागल्या नाहीत. तरीही लहानपणापासून ज्या गोष्टी ऐकल्या किंवा जे सिनेमा पाहिले त्यावरून फाळणी हा शब्द जरी ऐकला तरी अंगावर काटा येतो. अशा फाळणीच्या वेळी जे लोक स्थलांतरित झाले त्यापैकी एक होते लेखिकेच्या कुटुंबातील सदस्य. त्यामुळे लेखिकेचे मन ह्या बाबतीत हळवे असणे अतिशय स्वाभाविक आहे. ज्यांना ते भोगावे लागले, त्यांना आज इतक्या वर्षांनी पुन्हा त्या विषयावर बोलते करणे म्हणजे त्यांच्या जखमेवरची खपली काढण्यासारखे आहे. तरीही लेखिकेने हे शिवधनुष्य समर्थपणे पेलले आहे.
डॉ. शिवानीला तिच्या पुढील प्रवासासाठी खूप खूप शुभेच्छा.
तिच्या कडून असेच खूप लिखाण होवो हीच सदिच्छा.
स्मिता चित्रे.
August 12, 2020
This book shows us that when life puts you in the worst circumstances, then courage becomes your inherent quality which is accompanied by survival instinct. The human loss due to Partition of India was the most heart wrenching. The price we paid for our independence was immense it brought along with the tragedy of Partition. So many families separated and lives lost is something that could never be compensated. People had to leave their homes in the middle of night just with a few essential items. Imagine if you had to do it? People were brought down from riches to basic sustenance level as refugees. How horrific had it been on witnessing riots, families seperated while crossing the border, losing every little possession you had and especially losing you identity? In a moment a person's status changes from being born an Indian and dying as a refugee? And yet they strived hard to for creating a better future for their children! This shows that sheer grit, determination and will to survive in the most difficult situations makes human beings " Survivors". I will not call them refugees but "Survivor", the people who sacrificed everything and still worked hard to make a new India. History teaches us lessons of life and I hope that our younger generation remembers this sad reality of Partition. Freedom is precious.
August 13, 2020
Hiraeth - It is such a soul-filling book, that I can't put it down. Thank you so much, my friend, for this gem of a book, in starting I was a little skeptical as whenever I hear about the partition, my mind always fills with war, violence, and anger.
However,Hiraeth: Partition stories from 1947Hiraeth: Partition stories from 1947 the moment I lay down my eyes on the cover and slowly one page after another, this book starts growing on me with each story, so much strength and resilience of all the courageous people fill my heart with love and eyes with tears, the whole time I was feeling grateful to be alive in this time, how much we can be disconnected to our nation and yet it needs just a simple awakening to realize the heritage and our strong roots.
Each story is a journey of people just like us and author Dr. Shivani Salil has done such a marvelous and breathtaking job to make them alive in our minds, I was on my toes till I reach the end of the book, even though it is painful but we must understand and carry on the legacy of all the sacrifices and things that had been done.
Hands down, Hiraeth is a must-read and a book that should be passed on to coming generations, as one of the most authentic and reliable stories from the time of partition. Looking forward to more books by Dr. Shivani Salil
However,Hiraeth: Partition stories from 1947Hiraeth: Partition stories from 1947 the moment I lay down my eyes on the cover and slowly one page after another, this book starts growing on me with each story, so much strength and resilience of all the courageous people fill my heart with love and eyes with tears, the whole time I was feeling grateful to be alive in this time, how much we can be disconnected to our nation and yet it needs just a simple awakening to realize the heritage and our strong roots.
Each story is a journey of people just like us and author Dr. Shivani Salil has done such a marvelous and breathtaking job to make them alive in our minds, I was on my toes till I reach the end of the book, even though it is painful but we must understand and carry on the legacy of all the sacrifices and things that had been done.
Hands down, Hiraeth is a must-read and a book that should be passed on to coming generations, as one of the most authentic and reliable stories from the time of partition. Looking forward to more books by Dr. Shivani Salil
November 12, 2020
Hiraeth is a sensitive, sincere and an honest attempt at cataloging emotions that people felt during the Partition era. The stories that the author narrates have been recounted to her in interviews. They talk about the lived experiences of real people. The emotions are tangible especially because they do not at all seem like remote premises that can only belong in books.
Hiraeth will leave you in tears and then again it will infuse you with tremendous hope. You may not be able to read it back to back in one sitting; I know because I couldn’t. I have closed the book many times to blankly stare at the wall in front of me. The stories of Hindu-Muslim antagonism and then some of the most overpowering friendships amidst all the madness have touched me deeply. The Urdu and Hindi used, enhance the authenticity of the narrative greatly. Most of it is generic that is easy to comprehend if you've watch Bollywood films. For the others, there are helpful footnotes.
It has been said time and again by friends who read and other reviewers that this anthology of Partition stories is an excellent piece of work. There is little doubt that this emotional and enlightening book has the ability to develop empathy for the ‘others’ as also helps build more bridges between us and them. I highly recommend Hiraeth with complete impartiality. And thank you so much Shivani for writing it!
Hiraeth will leave you in tears and then again it will infuse you with tremendous hope. You may not be able to read it back to back in one sitting; I know because I couldn’t. I have closed the book many times to blankly stare at the wall in front of me. The stories of Hindu-Muslim antagonism and then some of the most overpowering friendships amidst all the madness have touched me deeply. The Urdu and Hindi used, enhance the authenticity of the narrative greatly. Most of it is generic that is easy to comprehend if you've watch Bollywood films. For the others, there are helpful footnotes.
It has been said time and again by friends who read and other reviewers that this anthology of Partition stories is an excellent piece of work. There is little doubt that this emotional and enlightening book has the ability to develop empathy for the ‘others’ as also helps build more bridges between us and them. I highly recommend Hiraeth with complete impartiality. And thank you so much Shivani for writing it!
April 29, 2022
#hiraeth #natashareviews
When I was reading, ‘Hiraeth’ by Dr. Shivani Salil, a paragraph from the poet, Nida Fazli’s poem. ‘Yahan Bhi Wahan Bhi’ floated in my mind, and I quote.
Insaan mein haiwaan yahan bhi hai wahan bhi
Allah nigehbaan yahan bhi hai wahan bhi
(The monster resides within humans – here and there, too
Allah watches over us – here and there, too.)
India-Pakistan Partition–a living, breathing ghost that still haunts the consciousness of those who lived it– firsthand or through words of their loved ones. ‘Hiraeth’ captures twenty-four of their unspoken anguish and puts it on paper for all to read and experience. Maybe, cry.
Dr. Shivani, like the doctor she is, is impartial in her treatment of stories–each of the three religions affected the most, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs play both the victims and the perpetrators.
There is no disparity in their actions – they are both – villains and heroes in someone’s lives. The use of local languages and dialects to express the characters’ angst, pain, and anger is sensitively handled and at no point appears forced.
Each of the twenty-four stories (especially, Quam, Lahore) is like a tiny spear to your heart–each as potent as the last strike. One knows what one is getting into when one picks the book up, drawn by the magnificent cover, and when one turns the last page (proverbially, in my case), the urge to reflect and cry is immediate.
What were they thinking? What was their most pertinent thought? was what I thought when I gazed unseeing at my Kindle. Dr. Shivani does an excellent job of trying to answer that.
The book is a reflection of our history, a peek into the lives, we as Indians and Pakistanis, had lived and lost, and like all partition stories, I would urge you to read it.
The voices of the victims, and their stories need to be heard. Listen to them.
When I was reading, ‘Hiraeth’ by Dr. Shivani Salil, a paragraph from the poet, Nida Fazli’s poem. ‘Yahan Bhi Wahan Bhi’ floated in my mind, and I quote.
Insaan mein haiwaan yahan bhi hai wahan bhi
Allah nigehbaan yahan bhi hai wahan bhi
(The monster resides within humans – here and there, too
Allah watches over us – here and there, too.)
India-Pakistan Partition–a living, breathing ghost that still haunts the consciousness of those who lived it– firsthand or through words of their loved ones. ‘Hiraeth’ captures twenty-four of their unspoken anguish and puts it on paper for all to read and experience. Maybe, cry.
Dr. Shivani, like the doctor she is, is impartial in her treatment of stories–each of the three religions affected the most, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs play both the victims and the perpetrators.
There is no disparity in their actions – they are both – villains and heroes in someone’s lives. The use of local languages and dialects to express the characters’ angst, pain, and anger is sensitively handled and at no point appears forced.
Each of the twenty-four stories (especially, Quam, Lahore) is like a tiny spear to your heart–each as potent as the last strike. One knows what one is getting into when one picks the book up, drawn by the magnificent cover, and when one turns the last page (proverbially, in my case), the urge to reflect and cry is immediate.
What were they thinking? What was their most pertinent thought? was what I thought when I gazed unseeing at my Kindle. Dr. Shivani does an excellent job of trying to answer that.
The book is a reflection of our history, a peek into the lives, we as Indians and Pakistanis, had lived and lost, and like all partition stories, I would urge you to read it.
The voices of the victims, and their stories need to be heard. Listen to them.
August 27, 2020
#HiraethTurnsOne
#PartitionStories
A collection of stories- some heart wrenching, some heart warming, all tugging at your heart strings!
I love the concept of each story titled from A-Z and them being named after emotions, after materials that were significant in the partition story itself and that the titles are taken from different languages.
Each story wraps you around in emotions without ever dwindling to sentimentality. The pangs of separation from family, friends, from 'home'. Sacrifice and generosity shone through even when atrocities had become normal.
Alfaaz and Chihn were 2 of my favourite stories.
Shivani Salil, what a brilliant debut.
Special mention for the book cover. The roots stay connected on either side of the border, even if the tree is split in two. This was echoed in a webinar I recently attended by Third Culture Cooks, featuring Asma Khan, who has family in all the 3 countries affected by partition.
Book- Hiraeth- Partition stories from 1947
Author- Dr.Shivani Salil
Genre-#ShortStories #Anthology
Publisher- Artoonsinn Publications
My Rating-4⭐
#PartitionStories
A collection of stories- some heart wrenching, some heart warming, all tugging at your heart strings!
I love the concept of each story titled from A-Z and them being named after emotions, after materials that were significant in the partition story itself and that the titles are taken from different languages.
Each story wraps you around in emotions without ever dwindling to sentimentality. The pangs of separation from family, friends, from 'home'. Sacrifice and generosity shone through even when atrocities had become normal.
Alfaaz and Chihn were 2 of my favourite stories.
Shivani Salil, what a brilliant debut.
Special mention for the book cover. The roots stay connected on either side of the border, even if the tree is split in two. This was echoed in a webinar I recently attended by Third Culture Cooks, featuring Asma Khan, who has family in all the 3 countries affected by partition.
Book- Hiraeth- Partition stories from 1947
Author- Dr.Shivani Salil
Genre-#ShortStories #Anthology
Publisher- Artoonsinn Publications
My Rating-4⭐
September 9, 2020
Dr.Shivani Salil's book HIRAETH relates stories based on the true events of partition in1947.
I feel that the book is going to possess the reader for a long time and funnily enough, the essence of the book for me is the transience of our possessions.
Each story seems to equip us with a way to let go of anxiety and accept the certainty of uncertainty.We feel that we must learn to overcome the fear of inevitable. And when we do, what will prevail would be EQUANIMITY.
When you read about their losses, you end up praying for a balanced head over strong shoulders with a peaceful soul.
William Blake's poem- 'Do what you will, Life is a fiction,so full of contradiction', appears at the back of mind every now and then. And then flash Yeats' words- 'Horse man, Pass by'
It is really a beautiful book.Writing comes naturally to the writer and I'm sure tgat the reader would enjoy the flow of writer's consciousness.
Some of the stories like Tadbir, Yadein, Hiraeth, Naseeb and many more may interest and inspire the children as well.
Wish you all Success.
I feel that the book is going to possess the reader for a long time and funnily enough, the essence of the book for me is the transience of our possessions.
Each story seems to equip us with a way to let go of anxiety and accept the certainty of uncertainty.We feel that we must learn to overcome the fear of inevitable. And when we do, what will prevail would be EQUANIMITY.
When you read about their losses, you end up praying for a balanced head over strong shoulders with a peaceful soul.
William Blake's poem- 'Do what you will, Life is a fiction,so full of contradiction', appears at the back of mind every now and then. And then flash Yeats' words- 'Horse man, Pass by'
It is really a beautiful book.Writing comes naturally to the writer and I'm sure tgat the reader would enjoy the flow of writer's consciousness.
Some of the stories like Tadbir, Yadein, Hiraeth, Naseeb and many more may interest and inspire the children as well.
Wish you all Success.
September 18, 2020
One line by Radcliffe. And how it changed things. Yes, the past is to be remembered, not forgotten. Yet, work on the present for a better future. So easy to say, but takes an extraordinary will to execute. Whether the past is about a sibling losing the other while catching a train; or the future revisiting the past as a young woman visits her ancestral property in a country which didn't exist less than a century ago, the stories of love and bonding amidst bloodbaths and hatred.... If I could feel a mix of emotions right from choking pains in my throat to tears of joy just by reading the book... What would be her experience while talking to and connecting with people across both sides of the borders and compiling such wonderfully articulated narrations... Hats off to you Shivani Salil... For your book is not just a book... It's a compilation of feelings and experiences that generations to come should not forget... Remember, yet live with compassion and hope, not hatred.
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