Retsamadhi by Gitanjali Shree

Tomb of Sand (originally titled Ret Samadhi, Hindi: रेत समाधि) is a 2018 Hindi-language novel by Indian author Geetanjali Shree. It was translated into English by U.S. translator Daisy Rockwell. In 2022, the book became the first novel translated from an Indian language to win the International Booker Prize.

The story begins with two women characters. In the very first scene, we find death, and then the story begins. The description of the mother's character's room is quite colloquial.

The word you're looking for, which represents a sound with meaning but no proof, is "grief." It reflects the emotions of a person on their deathbed who no longer desires to live. It's as if they tear themselves away from life. Perhaps, the question arises, why isn't there a door that can be torn open, where the strength to endure and support can increase?

The very idea of a threshold brings forth uncertainty because it's challenging to decide what's better, the past inside or the future outside.

The metaphor of the road is famous, representing life's journey from where it begins to where it ends, an unknown destination. This notion also reflects that sons often become the primary support for parents in later life, while daughters don't always fulfill this role. Even the affection sons have for their parents in their youth can fade over time.

In childhood, we may love some habits of children, but as they grow, the same habits can become irritating. This mirrors human behavior. When daughters are denied freedom in childhood, it may be accepted, but when they resist societal rules and restrictions in the future, it can be hard to accept. Additionally, when daughters run away from home, their treatment and society's double standards come into question.

"एक को अपराध बौध हों की मेने नहीं निभाया और इसीलिए पलट के वापिस आ गयी" (daughter) और "दूसरे को अश्वस्ती हो की बहुत निभाया इसीलिए निकल गयी।" (daughter-in-law).

#Riboke is used here as an exquisite symbol of freedom, showing how women learn to assert their freedom. In every family, there's often a boy who encourages the women to rebel against patriarchy, as Gitanjali portrays. Human nature is insatiable; it always desires something more, like the ugly desiring beauty, Bharat wanting Pakistan, the blind desiring sight, and the unemployed seeking jobs.

Accidental incidents are significant in life, whether they bring good or disaster. It's challenging to find complete satisfaction in life due to the world's unending demands, consumerism, and fake culture. There's an allusion to Julius Caesar, and it's hard to smile when one is well aware of the world's harsh realities. Lavish parties organized by the upper class are also discussed, along with the exploitation of government officers' servants.

The mother's pension after the father's death is central for her children, leading to conflicts and attempts to forge her signature. Environmental issues like droughts and tsunamis are briefly mentioned. The presence of numerous deity idols and regular family puja rituals is highlighted as part of Indian culture.

"Kalptaru" is known as a divine tree that fulfills wishes, including evil ones. In the story, mother is considered a "Kalptaru," and people come to her to ask for their wishes. These wishes, in reality, often revolve around marriage, education, money, reflecting class struggles.

"जल समाधि और रेत समाधि के आध्यात्मिक प्रकाश पुंज ने उनके चेहरे को उजवलित कर दिया।" The story of Bodhisattva reflects the spiritual journey of Buddha. Broken idols are considered ominous. The difficulty in developing Israel and Italy is discussed, highlighting the harsh reality of these countries and their focus on excavation rather than development. Developed countries take advantage of these third-world countries, as portrayed.

A new stick given to Ma disappears, and Ma herself vanishes. The symbol of the new stick represents a fresh start for her. After a long period of estrangement, she elopes, but her destination is unknown. Later, coincidentally, Ma returns home.

The story challenges the traditional notion that parents should not live with their daughters. Mother is recovering from her ill-health, and the relationship between Sunrays and Mother symbolizes her recovery and renewed desire to live. However, her sudden presence disrupts her daughter's life, and the daughter struggles to adjust.

The sound of Mother's bangles, typically melodious, becomes symbolic of interference in the daughter's life. The daughter longs for her space, leading to inner chaos. Meanwhile, Mother seems to grow younger day by day, causing jealousy in her daughter. The daughter feels alienated by decisions made without her input.

"कार्य देवी झांकती है। डर जाती है। यहां तो बड़ा मोजोगुल है। हम तो विरानी की देवी है। पतली गली से खिसक लेते है।" The daughter's profession is writing, and this change affects her professional life, leading to an identity crisis. Frequent appearances of rainbows and direct narration are connected to Mother's desire to regain her zest for life.

The book satirizes various contemporary issues through discussions, including language, race, differing opinions, El Niño, La Niña, and more. The story also portrays the mother's repeated hospital visits, with her son primarily concerned about signing checks in case of her death.

"अपने से अलग भागा भी नही जा सकता।" Sentences like these constantly reflect the daughter's inner turmoil. "घंटी सिटी लेखन" is connected with those who manage their work throughout the day. The character of Rosy Bua is quite peculiar, and the daughter harbors jealousy towards her.

Additionally, scenes describing the exploration of nature are interspersed. Rosy's death disturbs Mother, and she experiences isolation once again, but this time, she has a different plan: to go to Pakistan. "अस्सी साल पे मां स्वार्थी हो गई।"

Mother decides to fulfill Rosy's desire to go to Pakistan. There's a scene at the Wagah Border, where one writer expresses a dilemma: "मेरे अंदर जमाने और जमीन अस्तव्यत है। कभी कभी बिल्कुल पता नही चलता की कहा किस जग में हूं। "

Furthermore, in the later part of the book, we encounter the horror of the partition of India and Pakistan. The background and misery of that time are reflected with horrifying descriptions. Mother embarks on a journey to explore Pakistan, and there are references to Rudyard Kipling's "Kim." She meticulously follows all of Rosy's instructions, even down to the choice of sweets, illustrating the strong bond between Mother and Rosy.

The kidnapping of women and their stories, initially horrifying, is later revealed to be an act of saving them from an evil man. The story has its share of ups and downs. In the end, two star-crossed lovers, Mother and Arnab, come together. One can witness the horrors of partition and its impact on individual lives.

In a way, this book deserves the Booker Prize. It's a worthwhile read.

Thank you for reading.