Heart Gripping Story from India's Red Corridor
A government officer sent as an Election Observer in the explosive Naxal region of Chhatisgarh, brings back alive, the explosive and heart-wrenching state of affairs in this Naxal belt, through the eyes of a young adivasi girl who rebelled against tradition, turned a Naxalite and then came back to her docile self as domestic help. Dudiya is the name of this very engaging book that is sure to grip you through all of the 220 pages. Read on...
The personal life of Dudiya, how she rebelled against a tradition and steered into Naxalism is heroic and remarkable
When a work of fiction is scripted on the basis of a real life scenario, after getting a ring side view, the genre of the book is, faction. And when the author is a celebrated Sahitya Academy Awardee, having written several best seller books, mostly on history and clinched 40 literary awards, one would expect a powerful work of literature. And so it is.
Vishwas Patil, the renowned author, has for the second time, scripted a book based from his place of his official posting. The first award winning book was Jhadajhadti (Dirge for the Damned), when as a Collector, he had to deal with the problems of the rehabilitation of the poor due to construction of a dam. This novel showcased the tender heart of Patil who won acclaim due to the emotions and trauma of the displaced poor, which he so powerfully potrayed.
His latest book, Dudiya is a heart wrenching story of not only the lady protagonist named as Dudiya, but the entire turbulent scenario of the Naxal movement in Chhattisgarh, the peace movement that had blossomed and brought hope to the Adivasis who lead a life of cruelty by the naxals but foiled and; the apathy of our law enforcing authorities.
The personal life of Dudiya, how she rebelled against a tradition and steered into Naxalism is heroic and remarkable. It's horrifying to note that in this modern India, girls like her who get married have to strip off their blouses on the fourth day of marriage and remain blouseless so ever after. Dudiya, defying her father's warnings runs away from home. "I got up in the middle of the night and instantly took to the jungle track. I had no fear of the dark, no fear of ghosts and demons. With the courage of a solitary traveller, I swam across the river and reached the friend's village of Dhilarparna,'' says Dudiya. From then on, she adorns the role of a Naxalite, brutal in her actions, as dictated by her bosses.
From there to her frustration as her family members were eliminated in mine explosions and gun shots by Naxalites, she suddenly gives up and becomes a domestic cook. That's where the book starts from. Dilip Pawar, the government officer, relishes the dish made out of fish and compliments the orderly. Who then says, "Sir, this is Dudiya. Very skilful hands she has. She is the one who cooked the fish today. Big officials like the collector and the commissioner regularly enjoy Dudiya's cooking, but during a time gone past, this girl has fed big time terrorists too." That's when Pawar begins to investigate into her story and the book, Dudiya took shape.
- Publisher: Niyogi Books
- Pages: 220
- Publication: 2023
- Price: Rs 395
The several instances of bloodshed are horrific and Patil's intense descriptions are a literary feat. As an author, he has captured the entire essence, the ringside view of the Naxal region through deep research and investigation within the several weeks of his tenure as an Election Observer. Patil's observations of people are fascinating and manifest in his writing.
After reading the book, one feels the pangs of distress and anguish. Of how our own brothers and sisters are sandwiched between two evils. The book is written with much honesty which requires courage. The last chapter is awesome as Patil walks the talk and witnesses a horrid scene of mine explosion and escapes by the whisker.
It is indeed a must read book by even corporate persons as some are managers of factories around the Red Corridor of India.