“All languages, large and small, have a lot to contribute to our common
humanity.”
— Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Pali, Urdu, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Maithili, Persian, Bhojpuri, Hindi,
Bajjika, Magahi, Angika, and English — all these languages and the works in
these languages, writers and translators are all part of this book and
eventually come together under the huge Bodhi tree of Bihari literature,
where all these profound scholars are strong branches in their own language.
It is a book of stories and poems, totally 61 pieces in various regional
languages, translated into English, with a few pieces originally in English,
from the state of Bihar. Around 360 pages, edited by Abhay K., the book opens
up a new perspective of leading a rural life, especially in Bihar.
The stories range from various time periods, from ancient to recent
times. There are clean footnotes with explanations for all the words that are
perfect in their original language, helping the readers with their meaning and
leaving them with a cute chance to learn a few words from the regional dialects
of Bihari literature.
The book is of a class apart, with a selection of stories from a wide range
of authors from almost 11 languages within the state. The book brings out a
treasure which otherwise would have been a hidden one to readers who cannot
read all these languages of that particular state.
There is a warm change in the style, narration, language, theme, message
and the plot, with every story or a poem. Though the medium is English, the
touch and the rural effects and the regional substance linger throughout the
book.
The rural life obviously turns first towards farmers, crops, their way
of life depending on weather and their beliefs, caste system in rural regions,
marital life, rural system and the need to be bound to it. The role of weather
in their lives, food, occupation and especially how women are succumbed to the
congested way of life, with no freedom, are all brought out through the
stories.
Religion's interference and nature — birds, animals, insects, plants and
flowers — and their use and support to sustain life also find their place.
Hardships and politics, and how they interfere in the lives of the uneducated,
are very well penned, with tough decisions and strong will to overpower these.
Relationships, money and many facets of human lives are intertwined on
many occasions in the stories. And above all, in any language, LOVE finds a
subtle space and gets into the lives of humans in many abstract forms. The
book is no exception. Love poems and stories leave a soothing touch in the
readers' thoughts.
The idea of combining short stories in between with poems is a
presentation that brings together two different literary forms. It gives a little
twist and a quick balance, like a cyclist on a mountain road, where an
excellent view keeps coming up in sequence.
Finally, this anthology shows how literature can preserve a way of
life. This is an invitation to look at Bihar through its many literary
voices—and to discover how many languages, cultures and experiences can grow
together under one enormous literary Bodhi tree.
Do grab a copy of the book and delve into the literary landscape of Bihar.
(This blogpost is a part of Blogchatter's Half marathon from a team member of Piyush plotter's. Details here : https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/the-blogchatter-half-marathon-2026-version-2)
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