Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
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Book Name: Badlde Rang
Author: Inderjeet Kesar
Genre: Novel
Cost: Rs 700
Pages: 332
Publication House: Highbrow Publications, 78/11 Near Pahalwan Food Mall, Bari Brahmana, Jammu
A novel is defined as an extended work of fiction that presents a complex plot, developed characters and detailed settings. It is a literary form that reflects human experiences through imaginative storytelling. However, novel writing is a tedious job as it requires extraordinary skill because of the fact that developing a plot and interconnecting various characters meaningfully thus taking advantage of the sequences and circumstances tests not only the worth of the author but his sharp memory also. It is said in literary arena that writing a novel is the dream of every litterateur. In short stories or even plays, the details get compressed and many dimensions of the characters portrayed in the said fiction works don’t get explored. But in a novel, there is no binding and expressions get explored to the extent that even the author feels enchanted while penning down the plot and readers get addicted to enjoy the literary work. Dogri literature is blessed with quite a good novelists and Inderjeet Kesar is one among them.
About Author
Inderjeet Kesar is a veteran Dogri litterateur. It is pertinent to mention here that since 1998, he has been writing regularly and has made a significant contribution to Dogri literature having published 29 books including 28 original works and one edited volume. The published works include 10 novels, 13 poetry collections, 2 short story collections, 1 essay collection, 1 travelogue, 1 interview collection, and 1 children’s book. Bhagirath, a well acclaimed novel written by him was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2018. He is also the recipient of State Award for Dogri literature in 2024. In addition to original writing, the author has actively contributed to compilation and editing, including works on Dogri songs and Dogri one-act plays. The author has also translated Rabindranath Tagore’s children’s literature into Dogri in two parts. Several literary works of the author have been translated into other languages. He has been honored by numerous prestigious institutions including Dogri Sanstha Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Central Sanskrit University Kot Bhalwal, Dogri Department of Jammu University, Nami Dogri Sanstha Jammu, JK Channel Jammu and Team Jammu among others.
About Novel
BADLDE RANG is a novel that does not depend on big twists or dramatic events. Its strength lies in its simple storytelling and realistic approach. The novelist has succeeded in connecting with the readers through a well woven plot. The story doesn’t seem a story from another world but is a story of masses and relates to the aspirations and desperations of people around us. The story may seem quite simple initially but with every page turned over, the reader gets involved in the storyline and enjoys a ride of fiction packed with realistic content as the author has presented it in a very engaging way.
The plot of the novel revolves around three main characters Tarsem, Ravi and Namrata. Namrata, the female protagonist, is an important character whose life reflects the uncertainties of human relationships. Other characters like Mohan Lal, Koushalya, Bholu, Satya add depth to the story. The contrast between Ravi’s educated higher middle-class family and Tarsem’s struggling lower middle-class life clearly shows how financial and social positions influence thinking and behavior. The novel also beautifully presents emotional relationships. It shows that true love cannot be forced as it grows slowly through patience, understanding, and maturity. The conversations between Ravi and his mother, Professor Gayatri Dutta, highlight family values, social pressure, and generational differences. These scenes feel real, relatable and thought-provoking as well.
Another strong aspect of the novel is its description of Dogra wedding traditions and customs. The rituals, beliefs, and community practices are presented in a natural way. These scenes show how culture and faith guide people’s decisions and strengthen family bonds.
The language of the novel is simple and rich in Dogri expressions. It reflects everyday speech and carries the flavor of local culture. The slow pace of the story adds to its realism and allows readers to connect deeply with the characters.
The novel is recommended for those readers who wish to have a ride of fiction and realism thus encountering Dogra customs and beliefs. When we advocate for preserving and promoting our regional cultural heritage, then it becomes our foremost duty to appreciate the creating writing which brings us even closer to our traditions. We may contribute in this mission by developing a good habit of reading, as lack of readership in mother languages is a grave concern across globe. We should seek lesson from those countries, where in there is no dearth of readers and the authors get inspired to pen down more creative works thus exploring unique ideas.
While concluding, it may be said that BADALDE RANG is not just a story but a reflection of changing social values and middle-class life. It proves that Dogri as a language is fully capable of expressing serious and meaningful themes. The novel stands as an important contribution to modern Dogri literature. Many of the words are used artistically thus signifying the sweetness of the language. The author has succeeded in not only keeping pace and grip on the theme but has also explored the traditions of Duggar land through his literary pursuit. The title page is quite simple. The author has dedicated the novel in the everlasting loving memory of his father late Amarnath Ji Kesar. This novel has added another feather in the cap of the novelist, who already holds the record of having written maximum novels in Dogri language. It is expected that he will continue enriching Dogri literature with more creative writing in future and keep inspiring the younger writers to read good literature and thereafter contribute as a writer thus enriching mother tongue with unique ideas and expressions.
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