Thursday 15 May 2014

Book Review: Sita’s Curse- The Language of Desire by Sreemoyee Piu Kundu

Somewhere, behind closed doors, in her solitary world; Somewhere, under the sheets with an indifferent lover; Somewhere, is a woman who will not be denied…
The author, Sreemoyee Piu Kundu has very well entwined two major events of recent era, i.e. scandalous of Sadhu and heavy rainfall in Mumbai. The author has also highlighted the harsh reality of Bollywood and has been portrayed   very well.




The author narrates the story in the context of Yosuf Ismaile, who is a resident of Pune, Maharashtra and comes to the city of dreams, Mumbai to become an actor. However, for him destiny has other choice which falls him to be in a profession which is a shame and immorality for all of us, let alone the victims of the profession of  a male prostitute.
It is a power pack-book, which showcases various amalgamations of events like actuality of Sadhus, the life of a Mumbai Chawl, sex in joint family where there are no enough space for a husband and wife, a tragedy of a woman suffering from the ends of her father and as well as husband. This book is all about envy, infidelity, acceptance, sexual fulfillment, soulless domesticity, forceful marriage, helplessness, sadness.   


The author has divided the book into two segments, where the first part deals when Meera reaches her puberty while the second half is about more maturity and struggle. Meera is a twin sister of his twin brother Kartik, after three miscarriages to her mother. Kartik, his brother is shown as her best friend of both good and bad times. When Meera reaches her puberty and started to know more about her body and its desires, Kartik is sent away for work from home to his uncle’s factory, where one particular day Kartik found dead. 

Then Meera gets married to Businessman in Mumbai, Mohan Patel, who is a decade older than Meera. There starts the second part of the book where Meera’s life takes many twists and turns. This is it, now I stop telling you more about the books and spoiling the climax of the story. So just grab this book and I assure you that you will not regret after reading it. A must read book for the Indian society.


The review:

the novel is an erotic one when is released and exposed to our conservative and orthodox Indian society. It is truly an eye-opener for the society like ours, as in this 21st century, we still holds the grounds the traditions. As we all live in 21st century and experiences the equal status of all males and females, but when it comes to sex, the definition of equality changes for women as we, the women in the society are looked upon and has been imposed with many restrictions on sexuality. Through the book, the author has brought out the reality of the Indian society, especially when talking about the typical Indian middle class family, woman’s desire for appreciation, affection, approval and sexual fulfillment. The author comprehensively gathers by following the Gujarati family; there are many typical Gujarati vocabulary used in the book. 


My Take:

The author has selected the title of every chapter very wisely like “Bhukhi Atma”, “Sukha Karela”. Also the conversation of Meera with her mother after the demises of her father is eye opening.   

Intriguing lines:

1. Outside it was flooded. Inside, I bled. – Page no. 23

2. Having a pretty face isn’t enough, you need strong ones. A woman’s body must be hardened to take what comes, be it pleasure or pain. – Page no. 74

3. Time to fly away, to a faraway place, somewhere beyond your own cage... there is a world out there you know... beyond the boundaries of your narrow Byculla lane. – Page no. 267      
  
The extol:

“Somewhere, behind closed doors, in her solitary world; Somewhere, under the sheets with an indifferent lover; Somewhere, is a woman who will not be denied…”
“Trapped for fifteen years in the stranglehold of a dead marriage and soulless household domesticity, the beautiful, full-bodied and passionate Meera Patel depends on her memories and her flights of fancy to soothe the aches that wrack her body; to quieten an unquenchable need. Until one cataclysmic day in Mumbai, when she finally breaks free…”
“Bold, brazen and defiant, Sita’s Curse looks at the hypocrisy of Indian society and tells the compelling story of a middle-class Indian housewife’s urgent need for love, respect, acceptance – and sexual fulfillment.”

Truly a highly recommended novel by Sreemoyee Piu Kundu which has highlighted the reality of Indian society. Grab this book from lelobooks, a leading online bookstore in India. Hurry now!

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