Indian Folktales are a big part of our culture.”Bijnis Woman” by Tanuja Chandra is a collection of such tales passed down through generations. The author describes them as, “stories of Uttar Pradesh told by Mausis, Buas, and Chachis. Tanuja Chandra, who directed movies like Dushman, Sangharsh and Sur, tells these stories in a simplistic way. As you read, you’ll find yourself transported to the charm of small-town life.
Summary
“Bijinis Woman” by Tanuja Chandra is a fun book with 14 short stories, mostly from different backgrounds. The book includes stories from places like Hathras, Lucknow, Allahabad, and other big and small towns. The characters are a bit strange but interesting. There’s a story about a blind teacher who falls in love with a woman, and his life takes a different turn. There’s another story about a lazy daughter-in-law with strange problem. Then, there’s a story about two cousins who are always together till death. There’s also a story about a boy who runs away, joins the army, and becomes a hero in his village. My favorite is the last story with the title, “Bijnis Woman” that tells an inspiring story of a poor woman and her entrepreneurial skills. Not every story is related to women entrepreneurs. Other stories are about myths, gossips, rules, traditions, incidents, rumors etc. The simplicity and warmth of the narratives make this book a pleasant and enjoyable read. Although, some stories could have been better. Since it’s written by a Bollywood director, it got a lot of attention.
Overall, it’s a book that can be read once. A decent set of short stories for those interested in an easy read!