Reviews, Vol. I, Issue I
Ri – Homeland of Uncertainity by Paulami
Duttagupta is an adaptation of the movie Ri.
‘Ri’,
is a Khasi word, which means country or say, homeland. This novel is a story
about journey back to homeland. Literary speaking, we all are wanderers who are
wandering around in order to locate our real roots, which are actually deeply
located back in our homelands. Every single individual has his own perception
for finding roots; it may be looking for satisfaction in professional life,
happiness with family members or may be looking for some purpose in an aimless
life. This story is about – ‘Ri’.
Based
on the backdrop of terrorism in north eastern states and set in 2000s, the book
makes an intelligent start with an introduction to the very concept of ‘north
eastern sates’. I am confident that many of us know nothing about this region
except a few names such as Shillong or Darjeeling or Cheerapunji.
The
author sets the mood and tone of the story with a beginning laced with
familiarizing the readers with the region; its geographical and cultural
aspects – both beautiful and majestic. Then, she makes a twist and directs the
attention towards a social menace – ‘Terrorism’. Yes, even these states were
also grief stricken with an ‘inside-outside’ war. Like Kashmir, the youth were
diverted towards the wrong routes in the name of freedom. Inadvertently, they
stood against their own men in dress, their countrymen – their saviors. Within
this gloomy situation prevails the uncertainty of homeland.
The
author makes an attempt to highlight the plight (the uncertainty) of people in
north east states through the story of Kyndiah (SP in Policeforce) and Manbha
(a ‘so-called’ freedom fighter). She sensitizes on the aspect that how war,
which the people claim to fight, becomes senseless, thus, seeking freedom from
undesired bondage.
The
characters are really strong and they are not merely the protagonists of the
story rather they are the faces to the numerous thoughts and the mindsets of
people out there! Kyundiah is a result-oriented and committed police officer
who has left behind his family to serve his country. He heads his team and
cares about his men like his own family. Contrastingly, is Manbha, who is
actually a young blood vouching for responsibility, belongingness and
recognition (just like any other young lad) but unknowingly, becomes a
committed member of an outfit group, and is set on a mission.
She balances the story by incorporating the
media outlook in the equation. She touches upon how media probes deeper into
the issues but glorifies the plight. Indeed, a perfect example of shallow
journalism. Starting from the blocked roads of Shillong, it traverses through
India-Bangladesh border, Meghalaya and it ends up in openness of Church,
located in Jowai, Meghalaya.
Reading
this novel was a perception changing experience for me. It made me re-think if
we should ever try to justify why terrorist groups are growing? It was
frightening to learn how we (we all) debate about terrorism on a global scale
but actually we have NO IDEA of what is happening in our own state. How the
influencers make use of ‘Fight for freedom’ and ‘terrorism’ interchangeably for
their own benefit at the cost of the commoners. What runs in the minds while
performing inhumane tasks?
Read
the story to learn how these issues affect the lives of the commons and the
culprits alike and how the author suggests an alternate approach in the voice
of Emika! Who is she? A Freedom fighter or a terrorist? The uncertainty
prevails!
About the book
Ri
– Homeland of Uncertainity – “People from this state sacrificed their lives for
the sake of freedom for India but who knows about them? These selected
chronicles of selected parts of the country, India, has always excluded us, and
it hasn’t become self-sufficient yet. For half a century, independent India has
only waited for some miracle to happen… and you still have hope?”
Trapped
in the limbo between ideology and conscience, Manbha finds himself part of a
terror outfit. An unexpected opportunity, anger, squalor and disillusionment
–followed by armed combat and injury lead to the soul – searching that form the
substance of this moving tale.
About
the Author
Born
in Shillong, many moons ago, with schooling at Loreto Convent, and an English
Honors from St. Edmunds Collage, Paulami started her career with ‘All India
Radio Shillong’. She wrote and also gave her voice to a few shows there. Later,
she came down to Kolkata and got a post graduate degree in Comparitive
Literature from Jadavpur University. She had also taken a fancy to learning
Spanish, but today confesses that she has forgotten most of it.
In
the past, she has written for ‘The Times of India’ in the ‘Guwahati – Shillong
Plus’ edition and also ‘The Shillong Times’. Television had always attracted
her and was connected to the Bangla TV industry for about 6 years. She was
associated with ETV – Bangla, Akash Bangla and Sony Aath in this period.
Having
left her day job in 2012, Paulami took up full time writing. Her first novel
‘Pinjar’ released in early 2012. She has also contributed to ‘Minds@work’
anthology in 2013. Her second novel ‘Unplanned Destiny’ released in 2014. She
is also the screenplay writer of the National Award winning film – Ri Homeland
of Uncertainty.
When
she is not writing or watching movies, Paulami is either reading biographies or
classic pieces of literature. Cricket, food, cinema, books and music are an
integral part of her life.
About
the Book
Title:
Ri, - Homeland
of Uncertainty
Author:
Paulami
Duttagupta
Publisher:
Fablery
Publications
ISBN:
9788192893730
Pages:
127
Reviewed by Priyanka Batra Harjai, Book Blogger cum Book Reviewer.
No comments:
Post a Comment