What do you think?
Rate this book
Never Mind Yaar
The coming of age of three young girls from different backgrounds in Mumbai, a city fraught with communal tensions. When long time friends Binaifer and Louella meet Shalini at Gyan Shakti College, gyan for knowledge and shakti for strength, a true friendship that transcends cultural and religious backgrounds is born. Louella is a Christian and Binaifer, a Parsi. Shalini is from a traditional Hindu family. She's been brought up to believe her parents and autocratic grandma will choose her life partner for her. On the very first day at college her eyes accidentally look into those of a young fellow student's and her heart is lost forever. She knows she must resist as her family won't allow a match with a mere student. But she has two unlikely cupids to contend with. Binaifer (Binny) and Louella (Lou) think Bhagu, the young student, is perfect for Shali. The girls go through four years of college together, facing many challenges on the one hand but also the comfort and reassurance on the other, of growing up in the cultural, political and bewildering mosaic that is Mumbai. The author admits there's a message - that of the curse of communalism (or racism). But first, the book is about the light hearted years of college and true friendship between the girls. This is how it all begins: Dr. Naakwaa of Gyan Shakti College couldn't help smiling to himself as he looked at the sea of eager, animated young faces. They all seemed to speak at once, or so it seemed to an old man like himself, their ceaseless chatter outdone only by sudden bursts of loud laughter. Even as they talked and laughed in their own groups, he saw their eyes covertly watching the others. An air of breathless expectancy hung about them, as if something momentous would sweep them up on a wing and fly them away to an unknown destination. Without exception, they all clamoured to go, even the ones standing at the periphery, hesitant and slightly lost though they appeared to be.
242 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2010
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 29, 2010
I like reading multicultural books where the setting is very different from my own. When a friend of mine was studying the Hindi language, we would watch countless long Indian movies together and I grew fond of this culture.
Never Mind Yaar is set in Mumbai, India, and it follows the lives of four close college friends of different ethnic backgrounds: Binaifer, Louella, Shalini and Bhagu, three girls and a boy. Author K. Mathur uses vivid descriptions of Indian life and scenery to immerse the reader in her story, showing her love for her country. I really enjoyed this about the book. I especially liked a wedding scene that reminded me of the one in Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood version of Pride and Prejudice.
When I first started reading, though, it was evident this was a self-published book from the quality of the editing, page and text layout, and book cover. The characters were superficial and there was no real action for the first fifty pages or so. I was getting frustrated. I felt I was reading about ten-year-olds and not the complex and intriguing teen persona. However, I persisted in reading. And the story becomes more interesting. The issue of economical differences and their implications became more apparent as upper-class Shalini falls in love with Bhagu, whom she knows will not be accepted by her family who have already planned an arranged marriage for her.
Banaifer and Louella now scheme to get Shalini to confess and to get the star-crossed lovers together. Shalini is clearly distraught since she doesn't want to marry the man her matriarch grandmother, Mem, sets up for her, and she does not have the courage to stand up to her and refuse the match. However, the two friends don't talk to Shalini about this very real issue and neither does Shalini. Besides having fun, I truly wondered what their friendship was based on. Later, when the relationship gets serious and Shalini is torn between openly choosing Bhagu and confronting her family or accepting the arranged marriage, she becomes more and more depressed. Shalini never talked to her friends about Bhagu. This is where, again, the girls' friendship could have helped her deal with her conflicting emotions and where I found the story lacked in depth.
Throughout much of the book the dialogue between the girls was redundant and they were always giggling or laughing. I longed to know what they really thought deep down inside as they lived momentous years of college life. What did they aspire in life? What did they like or hate? On the other hand, the youths in this story were a mix of the modern and old-fashioned teen and this could be seen when the issues of dress, arranged marriages and accepting ethnic differences were explored. This was a refreshing change.
I thought Mem and Bhagu were the best developed characters, since they were realistic. I really liked how well the author portrayed Mem's character and would have loved for her to play a major role. She was a strong female character and represented the traditional Indian woman. Only half-way through the book do the rose-colored lenses come off and we see the ugly side of the things happening in the city of Mumbai. The story gets interesting when Bhagu works to bring about change. He has a head on his shoulders and it showed. This topic of political and communal unrest could have been explored further since I felt it was an important issue.
The topic of arranged marriages was very interesting and I wanted to know how Shalini, her family and Bhagu would deal with it. Shalini, who is very wealthy and chauffeured to school every morning had the unrealistic expectation of eloping with Bhagu, although he was currently a student, not employed and not in the same social status as her. She did not come across as very bright, only pretty and pampered. I did like the way things worked out in the end and it made me appreciate Bhagu's character. The whole incident with the chauffeur and its repercussions also gave me insight in the Indian way of thinking.
Clearly, Mathur has an important message to convey and her story would have shined through more forcefully had this book been professionally edited, however, this author has a bright future if she continues to bring to the fore topics at heart in a culture that is interesting and in need of much societal and political change.
Never Mind Yaar is set in Mumbai, India, and it follows the lives of four close college friends of different ethnic backgrounds: Binaifer, Louella, Shalini and Bhagu, three girls and a boy. Author K. Mathur uses vivid descriptions of Indian life and scenery to immerse the reader in her story, showing her love for her country. I really enjoyed this about the book. I especially liked a wedding scene that reminded me of the one in Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood version of Pride and Prejudice.
When I first started reading, though, it was evident this was a self-published book from the quality of the editing, page and text layout, and book cover. The characters were superficial and there was no real action for the first fifty pages or so. I was getting frustrated. I felt I was reading about ten-year-olds and not the complex and intriguing teen persona. However, I persisted in reading. And the story becomes more interesting. The issue of economical differences and their implications became more apparent as upper-class Shalini falls in love with Bhagu, whom she knows will not be accepted by her family who have already planned an arranged marriage for her.
Banaifer and Louella now scheme to get Shalini to confess and to get the star-crossed lovers together. Shalini is clearly distraught since she doesn't want to marry the man her matriarch grandmother, Mem, sets up for her, and she does not have the courage to stand up to her and refuse the match. However, the two friends don't talk to Shalini about this very real issue and neither does Shalini. Besides having fun, I truly wondered what their friendship was based on. Later, when the relationship gets serious and Shalini is torn between openly choosing Bhagu and confronting her family or accepting the arranged marriage, she becomes more and more depressed. Shalini never talked to her friends about Bhagu. This is where, again, the girls' friendship could have helped her deal with her conflicting emotions and where I found the story lacked in depth.
Throughout much of the book the dialogue between the girls was redundant and they were always giggling or laughing. I longed to know what they really thought deep down inside as they lived momentous years of college life. What did they aspire in life? What did they like or hate? On the other hand, the youths in this story were a mix of the modern and old-fashioned teen and this could be seen when the issues of dress, arranged marriages and accepting ethnic differences were explored. This was a refreshing change.
I thought Mem and Bhagu were the best developed characters, since they were realistic. I really liked how well the author portrayed Mem's character and would have loved for her to play a major role. She was a strong female character and represented the traditional Indian woman. Only half-way through the book do the rose-colored lenses come off and we see the ugly side of the things happening in the city of Mumbai. The story gets interesting when Bhagu works to bring about change. He has a head on his shoulders and it showed. This topic of political and communal unrest could have been explored further since I felt it was an important issue.
The topic of arranged marriages was very interesting and I wanted to know how Shalini, her family and Bhagu would deal with it. Shalini, who is very wealthy and chauffeured to school every morning had the unrealistic expectation of eloping with Bhagu, although he was currently a student, not employed and not in the same social status as her. She did not come across as very bright, only pretty and pampered. I did like the way things worked out in the end and it made me appreciate Bhagu's character. The whole incident with the chauffeur and its repercussions also gave me insight in the Indian way of thinking.
Clearly, Mathur has an important message to convey and her story would have shined through more forcefully had this book been professionally edited, however, this author has a bright future if she continues to bring to the fore topics at heart in a culture that is interesting and in need of much societal and political change.
August 10, 2011
Never Mind yaar is a very sweet book that I loved reading.Though the love between Shalini and Bhagu forms the core of the book, the author has depicted the beautiful friendship between the three girls, Shalini, Binny and Lou extremely well. The gang of three reminded me of my own gang during my college days. Khoty has to be commended for making all the three girls immensely likable . The love between Bhagu and Shalini has been handled in a balanced and sensitive manner. What really stole the show for me were the bits of story that take place in Jaipur,at the grandmas place and the friendship between the girls.Bhagu's activism provides the perfect opportunity for the author to talk about how the youth can make a lot of difference to the sad state of affairs in our country.
The writing is like a breath of fresh air and flows beautifully. The blurbs behind the book made me expect the book to base communal tension as backdrop to the story,but that really isn't the case. However, Khoty does address the issue of Mumbai being a melting pot of cultures and religions,thereby being a sitting duck for communal tensions. How secular really is the most cosmopolitan city in our country, it made me wonder. I liked way Khoty has provided detailed footnotes of not just Hindi words ,but also of customs, traditions and historical tidbits. I loved the note about the history of Parsis in Mumbai and also the stories Shalini's grandma,Mem shares. What was a little disconcerting was the use of paragraph titles that describe sections that follow.Though the titles were apt,i felt that they interrupted the flow and were fairly superfluous.
Want to read the full review ?. Head over to
http://hyphenatedsemicolons.blogspot....
The writing is like a breath of fresh air and flows beautifully. The blurbs behind the book made me expect the book to base communal tension as backdrop to the story,but that really isn't the case. However, Khoty does address the issue of Mumbai being a melting pot of cultures and religions,thereby being a sitting duck for communal tensions. How secular really is the most cosmopolitan city in our country, it made me wonder. I liked way Khoty has provided detailed footnotes of not just Hindi words ,but also of customs, traditions and historical tidbits. I loved the note about the history of Parsis in Mumbai and also the stories Shalini's grandma,Mem shares. What was a little disconcerting was the use of paragraph titles that describe sections that follow.Though the titles were apt,i felt that they interrupted the flow and were fairly superfluous.
Want to read the full review ?. Head over to
http://hyphenatedsemicolons.blogspot....
April 6, 2011
Never Mind Yaar by, `K. Mathur' takes the reader on a stunning journey. The four main characters are Binaifer, Louella, Shalini, and Bhagu - four close friends of different ethnic backgrounds. Set in Mumbai, India, the author communicates her love of this beautiful country by giving vivid detail when describing the surroundings. In reading this story I believe the author took great measures to develop these characters - quite realistic. Through her story, she gives the reader an understanding about what constitutes cultural identity - and how the various aspects of our worldview affect us. It is a story about true friendship, heartache, and the strong bond they share with one another. I felt a real connection with the character `Mem' (the matriarch of Shalini's family) as she represents the strength and love one must have in order to help sustain stability within the family unit. I highly recommend this brilliant work of literature, and look forward to reading more from this talented author known as, `K. Mathur'.
Read
September 23, 2011Really a nice one ...Thank you Smitha...
September 24, 2013
http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspo...
Book Review: Never Mind Yaar by K Mathur: 3 Friends, Poor-Rich Love, Communal Issues And Mumbai
Years back we had management training with a theme – how does it matter. Never Mind Yaar by K.Mathur is almost on the same lines in this debut attempt in fiction genre. Mathur has taken four youth in a college environment to project her plot. Lead characters in Never Mind Yaar are Binaifer Desai, Louella D’Costa, and Shalini Dayal. All are the new entrants to first year in Mumbai’s prestigious and one of the oldest college - Gyan Shakti College. Binnaifer and Louella get surprised and happy to see each other in the college on its opening day, as both had done their studies in the same school. Both of them had a small interaction with one of the most beautiful entrant in the same class – Shalini. The fourth main character in Never Mind Yaar is Bhagu – a student activist who falls in for Shalini having love at first sight.
The story of Never Mind Yaar is about Mumbai having a big heart to absorb different cultures within its heart with same love and warmth. Shalini belongs to a Hindu family, Louella is from a Christian family and Binnaifer belongs to a Parsi family. Having so many cultures in Mumbai is a drawback too, as it becomes culture and religion sensitive thereby giving space to conservatives and modern both together. As far as good part is concerned, reader gets an insight of various cultures (Hindu, Parsis and Christians in this case). This 214 pages novel is about the friendship of three girls and love in between Shalini and Bhagu. Bhagu is a student activist who is very clear in his mind about the current situation of the country and how youth can play a positive role in handling this situation and holding them becoming worse.
If you are able to cross the initial hurdle of 40-50 pages which are very slow and less constructive, you will start liking the story as it gradually moves on further. Bhagu falling in love with Shalini who belongs to an economically high stature family, faces a real life hurdle with a constraint of Shalini’s family not accepting this relationship. Shalini’s grandmother Mem is a good entry in the story. The later part of Never Mind Yaar becomes more interesting and you would like to check the end of this story. Author has tried to touch economical differences and political & communal scenario that has large impact on personal life of each individual of out country.
There are many shortfalls in this book. As far as cover of Never Mind Yaar is concerned, it is very basic, simple and comical – overall not too impressive and eye catching. Another drawback of this book is the too small font size that is painful to eyes and becomes a major factor to mar interest of the reader. Third drawback is the style of writing of K. Mathur. It is not at all connecting to its readers and gives an impression that it is a text book. The content looks to elaborative and extrapolated that it clearly seems the constraint writer had in mind to overcome the minimum words limit to complete a novel. That makes it a very slow read and probably becomes a burden for reader to carry on with boring parts of the story.
Book Review: Never Mind Yaar by K Mathur: 3 Friends, Poor-Rich Love, Communal Issues And Mumbai
Years back we had management training with a theme – how does it matter. Never Mind Yaar by K.Mathur is almost on the same lines in this debut attempt in fiction genre. Mathur has taken four youth in a college environment to project her plot. Lead characters in Never Mind Yaar are Binaifer Desai, Louella D’Costa, and Shalini Dayal. All are the new entrants to first year in Mumbai’s prestigious and one of the oldest college - Gyan Shakti College. Binnaifer and Louella get surprised and happy to see each other in the college on its opening day, as both had done their studies in the same school. Both of them had a small interaction with one of the most beautiful entrant in the same class – Shalini. The fourth main character in Never Mind Yaar is Bhagu – a student activist who falls in for Shalini having love at first sight.
The story of Never Mind Yaar is about Mumbai having a big heart to absorb different cultures within its heart with same love and warmth. Shalini belongs to a Hindu family, Louella is from a Christian family and Binnaifer belongs to a Parsi family. Having so many cultures in Mumbai is a drawback too, as it becomes culture and religion sensitive thereby giving space to conservatives and modern both together. As far as good part is concerned, reader gets an insight of various cultures (Hindu, Parsis and Christians in this case). This 214 pages novel is about the friendship of three girls and love in between Shalini and Bhagu. Bhagu is a student activist who is very clear in his mind about the current situation of the country and how youth can play a positive role in handling this situation and holding them becoming worse.
If you are able to cross the initial hurdle of 40-50 pages which are very slow and less constructive, you will start liking the story as it gradually moves on further. Bhagu falling in love with Shalini who belongs to an economically high stature family, faces a real life hurdle with a constraint of Shalini’s family not accepting this relationship. Shalini’s grandmother Mem is a good entry in the story. The later part of Never Mind Yaar becomes more interesting and you would like to check the end of this story. Author has tried to touch economical differences and political & communal scenario that has large impact on personal life of each individual of out country.
There are many shortfalls in this book. As far as cover of Never Mind Yaar is concerned, it is very basic, simple and comical – overall not too impressive and eye catching. Another drawback of this book is the too small font size that is painful to eyes and becomes a major factor to mar interest of the reader. Third drawback is the style of writing of K. Mathur. It is not at all connecting to its readers and gives an impression that it is a text book. The content looks to elaborative and extrapolated that it clearly seems the constraint writer had in mind to overcome the minimum words limit to complete a novel. That makes it a very slow read and probably becomes a burden for reader to carry on with boring parts of the story.
October 8, 2013
A book cover is always the first impression, this one lacks in that department a bit but let's not judge it by it. Though the elements used on the cover like a trio of girls sitting on a coffee table, talking reflected the real essence of the book, etc are quite apt but execution of elements could have been better, color scheme could have been more fun as this is book is fun carefree sorta.
Her big brown eyes and long lashes perfectly complemented a smooth, dusky complexion. ~ pg no 10
This is a story of three Girls Louella D’Costa aka Lou, Binaifer Desai aka Binny and Shalini Dayal aka Shali. Girls who met in one of the most reputed colleges of Bombay, Gyan shakti college in late 80's and early 90's. All hailing from different backgrounds and believes found common thread in each other and become best buddies. Their journey starts with their first year in college, the trio took me to my times when life was more carefree but also when I was learning new ways of life, adapting at many steps from friends and teachers. All three have something good to give to each other, they look out for each other and it's friendship that matters seems to be the base plot of the book. Another interesting element of the book was Bhagu, close friends with the trio and love interest of Shali, who is slightly at the protagonist side.
Shali hails from a family where everything depends on her grandmother Mem's permission, who is rather a hardcore traditional woman refusing to budge even with the changing times hence it is hard for Shali to confess her love to Bhagu. Bhagu later emerges as a social/student activist, his character showed the power of youth, how they can change the mindset, change the scenario if they will to.
Where Lou and Binny are trying to get Bhagu and Shali together, Shali's economically strong family is against the match. Their love faces numerous hurdles. And to top that Bombay is shattered to core by a horrific blast. Towards the climax story got more interesting with many twists and bit unexpected chain of events.
Though the beginning was a bit slow paced it kept on improving with each chapter, there were parts which could have been edited better but the writing style wasn't typical but refreshing. Choice of words and phrases were good but couple of times seemed like trying too hard, the character development of the story was good as each character learned a lot and changed a lot by the end which was a big plus point in the book. The side characters were etched thoughtfully like the Shali's Grandmother Mem, Chacha and the professor. The fusion of three backgrounds, Hindu family, christian family and Parsi family was reflecting the real essence of Bombay along with the challenges a friends has to go through.
Never mind yaar as name suggested is carefree light read, but there are elements of inspiration as well.
Her big brown eyes and long lashes perfectly complemented a smooth, dusky complexion. ~ pg no 10
This is a story of three Girls Louella D’Costa aka Lou, Binaifer Desai aka Binny and Shalini Dayal aka Shali. Girls who met in one of the most reputed colleges of Bombay, Gyan shakti college in late 80's and early 90's. All hailing from different backgrounds and believes found common thread in each other and become best buddies. Their journey starts with their first year in college, the trio took me to my times when life was more carefree but also when I was learning new ways of life, adapting at many steps from friends and teachers. All three have something good to give to each other, they look out for each other and it's friendship that matters seems to be the base plot of the book. Another interesting element of the book was Bhagu, close friends with the trio and love interest of Shali, who is slightly at the protagonist side.
Shali hails from a family where everything depends on her grandmother Mem's permission, who is rather a hardcore traditional woman refusing to budge even with the changing times hence it is hard for Shali to confess her love to Bhagu. Bhagu later emerges as a social/student activist, his character showed the power of youth, how they can change the mindset, change the scenario if they will to.
Where Lou and Binny are trying to get Bhagu and Shali together, Shali's economically strong family is against the match. Their love faces numerous hurdles. And to top that Bombay is shattered to core by a horrific blast. Towards the climax story got more interesting with many twists and bit unexpected chain of events.
Though the beginning was a bit slow paced it kept on improving with each chapter, there were parts which could have been edited better but the writing style wasn't typical but refreshing. Choice of words and phrases were good but couple of times seemed like trying too hard, the character development of the story was good as each character learned a lot and changed a lot by the end which was a big plus point in the book. The side characters were etched thoughtfully like the Shali's Grandmother Mem, Chacha and the professor. The fusion of three backgrounds, Hindu family, christian family and Parsi family was reflecting the real essence of Bombay along with the challenges a friends has to go through.
Never mind yaar as name suggested is carefree light read, but there are elements of inspiration as well.
September 27, 2013
Originally reviewed at
--> http://vps3361.blogspot.in/2013/09/bo...
The novel, set in late 80s and early 90s, begins with the first day at one of the most reputed colleges of Bombay, Gyan Shakti College. It is the start of a strong and inseparable friendship between Lou, Binny and Shali. Bonds strengthen between them as the usual affairs of college start, particularly the heavy lectures and the college canteen, which is the only place to liking of every student, offering carefree environment to hang out at amidst snacks and beverages.
And as it happens, a love angle starts between Shali and her class fellow Bhagu. They seem to develop a strong infatuation for each other as the time passes, but clearly oblivious to others as neither of them takes any step forward to initiate the talk. This is where rest of the gang, i.e., Lou and Binny, after careful observation start plotting how to bring the two face to face in the name of extra-curricular activities on the campus. Lou and Binny successfully play cupid while Shalini and Bhagu start getting to know each other for the better.
Amidst all this, cameos are played by the city's big secular (and cracking?) umbrella, and early 1990s bomb blasts which shook the city to the core, as well as the 'spirit of Bombay'. But the major draws are the big time feminine friendships and the efficient portrayal of ineffable flames of first love . Throw in a nice climax and a pleasing ending mixed with a tinge of contradictory emotions, and you get the feel of the author's journey into this debut novel of hers.
Read full review at --> http://vps3361.blogspot.in/2013/09/bo...
Connect with me here --> www.facebook.com/VPS.hitaishi
The novel, set in late 80s and early 90s, begins with the first day at one of the most reputed colleges of Bombay, Gyan Shakti College. It is the start of a strong and inseparable friendship between Lou, Binny and Shali. Bonds strengthen between them as the usual affairs of college start, particularly the heavy lectures and the college canteen, which is the only place to liking of every student, offering carefree environment to hang out at amidst snacks and beverages.
And as it happens, a love angle starts between Shali and her class fellow Bhagu. They seem to develop a strong infatuation for each other as the time passes, but clearly oblivious to others as neither of them takes any step forward to initiate the talk. This is where rest of the gang, i.e., Lou and Binny, after careful observation start plotting how to bring the two face to face in the name of extra-curricular activities on the campus. Lou and Binny successfully play cupid while Shalini and Bhagu start getting to know each other for the better.
Amidst all this, cameos are played by the city's big secular (and cracking?) umbrella, and early 1990s bomb blasts which shook the city to the core, as well as the 'spirit of Bombay'. But the major draws are the big time feminine friendships and the efficient portrayal of ineffable flames of first love . Throw in a nice climax and a pleasing ending mixed with a tinge of contradictory emotions, and you get the feel of the author's journey into this debut novel of hers.
Read full review at --> http://vps3361.blogspot.in/2013/09/bo...
Connect with me here --> www.facebook.com/VPS.hitaishi
November 21, 2013
It was good read, but a bit slow one! The best thing about the novel is that the author has caught every bit of Indian lifestyle, traditions and culture. She has written about almost everything from hierarchy in family to arrangement in marriage. While the plot is good, I felt it was way too slow in the beginning. Introductions were bit too lengthy which I thought should have been given when needed and not all of it clumped together in the beginning. I will say it is a must read for anyone who is interested in Indian culture.
October 12, 2013
"Never Mind Yaar" is a striking assortment of times gone by, enlightening information and a good-looking narrative spinned into an extraordinarily finely on paper work of fiction, motivated by a strapping spanking new and perceptive sequence of events enclosing subject matters applicable to modern-day Indian culture with reference to the conurbation and all its convolutions that matures and makes stronger all the way through the unqualified ought to be interpret paperback.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews