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Tamas
Set in a small-town frontier province in 1947, just before Partition, Tamas tells the story of a sweeper named Nathu who is bribed and deceived by a local Muslim politician to kill a pig, ostensibly for a veterinarian. The following morning, the carcass is discovered on the steps of the mosque and the town, already tension-ridden, erupts. Enraged Muslims massacre scores of Hindus and Sikhs, who, in turn, kill every Muslim they can find. Finally, the area's British administrators call out the army to prevent further violence. The killings stop but nothing can erase the awful memories from the minds of the survivors, nor will the various communities ever trust one another again.
The events described in Tamas are based on true accounts of the riots of 1947 that Sahni was a witness to in Rawalpindi, and this new and sensitive translation by the author himself resurrects chilling memories of the consequences of communalism which are of immense relevance even today.
The events described in Tamas are based on true accounts of the riots of 1947 that Sahni was a witness to in Rawalpindi, and this new and sensitive translation by the author himself resurrects chilling memories of the consequences of communalism which are of immense relevance even today.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
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June 10, 2022
Books are India's partition and communal riots are hard to read, and certainly harder to write. Bhisham Sahni's Tamas (meaning 'darkness') opens with Nathu, a lower-class tanner, trying his best to kill a pig asked for by his upper-caste boss. Little does he know that this very pig will be used to incite a riot and kill hundreds of people. The scene then jumps to a group of Congress workers from all religions gathering for a morning march and chatting and joking among themselves, until the first signs of communal tension show up. From here on a large part of Tamas is focused on the rising tension between the different communities before the riot breaks out. There is no protagonist in Tamas. The story moves between many people, from different religions, and social and political classes, the only unifying factor between them being the brewing riot. Then of course the riot begins, and it's violent and haunting and heartbreaking to read. The sudden burst of violence between neighbors in the story might sound unbelievable, but unfortunately, most of us even today have seen some evidence of this sort of violence at least on TV making it scarily easy to believe. The brilliance of Tamas is in its unbiased storytelling. Sahni is not partial to any religion. There are zealots on both sides, and so are the victims. There are people on both sides capitalizing on the riot for their political gains, and of course, there are the indifferent British rulers to whom the communal riots were of little consequence beyond being a means for keeping Indians from focusing on Independence. The characters are multilayered, just like the reasons behind such horrific incidents. In the last chapters after the riot has ended, people from different religions gather together to form a peace committee and they again chat and joke among themselves. The brilliant scene is taut with tension, at the same time it shows the inevitability of communal cohabitation in a society like ours. Tamas is haunting, more so in the parts without active violence. It is truly a tale of a dark time and the darkness of human souls.
January 2, 2015
विभाजन कि त्रासदी कहती अमृता प्रीतम की ‘पिंजर’ हो,खुशवंत सिंह की ‘ट्रेन टू पाकिस्तान’,मंटो की कहानियाँ हों, गुलजार की ‘रावी पार’ या भीष्म साहनी की ‘तमस’, इन्हे पढ़ना कभी आसान नहीं होता। भीष्म साहनी की ‘तमस’ मैंने लगभग तीन या चार बार पढ़ी होगी। ,पर हर बार पढ़ के दिल उतना ही बेचैन होता है,जैसे पहली बार पढने पे हुआ था। समयकाल आज़ादी से पहले का,बस पांच दिन की कहानी,पर जेहन में हमेशा जिंदा रहने वाली,सदियों से प्रासंगिक। अभी जब इस महामारी के संकट के बीच भी धार्मिक वजहों से हुई हिंसा कि खबरें सुनता हूँ तो फिर लगने लगता है कि हालात अब भी वैसे ही हैं। कहानी मे एक जगह एक अंग्रेज पात्र कहता है “हुकूमत करनेवाले यह नहीं देखते कि प्रजा में कौन-सी समानता पायी जाती है, उनकी दिलचस्पी तो यह देखने में होती है कि वे किन-किन बातों में एक-दूसरे से अलग हैं।’’ हुकूमत करने वाले जरूर बदल गए पर उनका फ़लसफ़ा अब तक वही है,और कारगर भी है।
आपस में सदियों से साथ रहने वाले, एक दूसरे के साथ हँसने बोलने वाले, साथ साथ बड़े होने वाले,बचपन के,संग पढे लिखे दोस्त कैसे बस एक अफवाह से, एक छोटी सी घटना से खून के प्यासे हो जाते हैं? ये सदियों,पीढ़ियों के संस्कार हैं या खून में ही ऐसा कुछ है,जो एक कौम को दूसरे पे भरोसा नही करने देता,एक अनजान सी नफरत पलती रहती है,कहीं दबी हुई.सह्द्र्यता,सदभाव,या भाईचारे के आवरण में,जो मौका मिलते ही उभर आती है। एक दृश्य में एक मुस्लिम अपने हिन्दू मित्र के मुस्लिम मोहल्ले में घर छोड़ते वक़्त छूट गये जेवर लाने जाता है, तब जाने किस अदृश्य प्रेरणा से, एक हिन्दू नौकर को मार देता है,बस क्यूंकि वो एक हिन्दू था। पूरी पुस्तक में कई ऐसे प्रसंग है, जो आप को सोचने के लिए मजबूर कर देंगे। कहानी पुरानी है,पर आज के दौर में जब धर्म व्यवसाय हो चुके हैं,और लोगों की नाजुक भावनाएं छोटी छोटी बातों पे आहत हो जाती है,ये और भी भयावह लगती है।
पहले मुझे लगता था,कि कहानी के लिए नायक नायिका,या एक खलनायक का होना जरुरी है,पर इसका नायक इसकी कहानी है,एक छोटा सा गाँव है,जो गवाह है,हमेशा सदभाव से सभी धर्मों के व्यक्तियों का एक छोटी इस घटना से एक दुसरे के दुश्मन बन जाने का। पूरे उपन्यास में कोई बुरा नही,कोई गलत नही है,पर कोई सही नही है,काल,भय,अफवाहें,शक,शुबहा और विभिन्न घटनाओ को जन्म देते रहता है,और हर इंसान ये जानते और मानते हुए कि वो गलत कर रहा है,विवश हो जाता है। लेखक ने बहुत ही खूबी से विभिन्न द्रश्यों से एक गंभीर कहानी कही है.सजीव चित्रण क्या होता है,इसका सजीव उदहारण है ये उपन्यास। एक अवश्य पढ़ा जाने वाला उपन्यास,कालजयी.अद्भुत
आपस में सदियों से साथ रहने वाले, एक दूसरे के साथ हँसने बोलने वाले, साथ साथ बड़े होने वाले,बचपन के,संग पढे लिखे दोस्त कैसे बस एक अफवाह से, एक छोटी सी घटना से खून के प्यासे हो जाते हैं? ये सदियों,पीढ़ियों के संस्कार हैं या खून में ही ऐसा कुछ है,जो एक कौम को दूसरे पे भरोसा नही करने देता,एक अनजान सी नफरत पलती रहती है,कहीं दबी हुई.सह्द्र्यता,सदभाव,या भाईचारे के आवरण में,जो मौका मिलते ही उभर आती है। एक दृश्य में एक मुस्लिम अपने हिन्दू मित्र के मुस्लिम मोहल्ले में घर छोड़ते वक़्त छूट गये जेवर लाने जाता है, तब जाने किस अदृश्य प्रेरणा से, एक हिन्दू नौकर को मार देता है,बस क्यूंकि वो एक हिन्दू था। पूरी पुस्तक में कई ऐसे प्रसंग है, जो आप को सोचने के लिए मजबूर कर देंगे। कहानी पुरानी है,पर आज के दौर में जब धर्म व्यवसाय हो चुके हैं,और लोगों की नाजुक भावनाएं छोटी छोटी बातों पे आहत हो जाती है,ये और भी भयावह लगती है।
पहले मुझे लगता था,कि कहानी के लिए नायक नायिका,या एक खलनायक का होना जरुरी है,पर इसका नायक इसकी कहानी है,एक छोटा सा गाँव है,जो गवाह है,हमेशा सदभाव से सभी धर्मों के व्यक्तियों का एक छोटी इस घटना से एक दुसरे के दुश्मन बन जाने का। पूरे उपन्यास में कोई बुरा नही,कोई गलत नही है,पर कोई सही नही है,काल,भय,अफवाहें,शक,शुबहा और विभिन्न घटनाओ को जन्म देते रहता है,और हर इंसान ये जानते और मानते हुए कि वो गलत कर रहा है,विवश हो जाता है। लेखक ने बहुत ही खूबी से विभिन्न द्रश्यों से एक गंभीर कहानी कही है.सजीव चित्रण क्या होता है,इसका सजीव उदहारण है ये उपन्यास। एक अवश्य पढ़ा जाने वाला उपन्यास,कालजयी.अद्भुत
September 1, 2013
Partially based on true events that Sahni himself witnessed in the communal riots during India's Partition in 1947, the novel follows the life of people from both communities - Hindu and Muslim, and from various classes and backgrounds, as tensions in cities build up. Like most Partition fiction, Tamas (meaning Darkness) too identifies the complex nature humanity and inhumanity that drives people to massacre each other. Eschewing grossly simplifying explanations for these murderous rages, the novel looks into the multiple simultaneous drives that lead people to kill others, and yet, save some others they were supposed to kill.
Rather than following a single person's fate during the riots, as Train to Pakistan did, Tamas takes a bird's-eye view of the communal tensions raging through India, and how they were inextricably mingled with politics, economics and lies, not just on the part of the British who followed the policy of divide-and-rule, but also on the part of both communities. The motivations of murder were far more complex than simplistic narratives of religious clashes - the latter being stereotyped - not that religion wasn't involved - but that it was not the only thing of consequence involved.
It is difficult to write a review of a book like this. Partition is not something I can elatedly talk about, nor are the style/narrative/stylistic features a consideration in an issue like this.
Only, next time, I'd rather read it in Hindi - the English translation is often clumsy, and not effective.
Rather than following a single person's fate during the riots, as Train to Pakistan did, Tamas takes a bird's-eye view of the communal tensions raging through India, and how they were inextricably mingled with politics, economics and lies, not just on the part of the British who followed the policy of divide-and-rule, but also on the part of both communities. The motivations of murder were far more complex than simplistic narratives of religious clashes - the latter being stereotyped - not that religion wasn't involved - but that it was not the only thing of consequence involved.
It is difficult to write a review of a book like this. Partition is not something I can elatedly talk about, nor are the style/narrative/stylistic features a consideration in an issue like this.
Only, next time, I'd rather read it in Hindi - the English translation is often clumsy, and not effective.
October 9, 2018
This was one of those few books that I pick up every year to impress my mother :) and then I gradually pick them up to read myself. I started reading this last weekend as we had to travel back to our home town for a family function, I actually picked it to check the public's reaction on a very old, acclaimed and that too a Hindi book. And I must say not only the book blew my mind off but the way I got superb response from people upwards of 45 years + age, it was simply amazing. A South Indian uncle sitting right opposite our berth going from Pune to Ujjain on a pilgrimage trip spoke so much about the story with such passion (without giving out any spoilers as he realized I was midways into the book). He was delighted to say that I have an amazing taste in literature :), of-course I didn't confess to him that I was doing it for my mother. Now after reading the book while travelling back to back for three days and wrapping the last 20 pages this morning after reaching home, I am totally speechless. As the period and the drama that this book covers is totally unbelievable. Written in the mid 70's, based on a time period which is like a few months before of India's independence and subsequent partition, the way story progresses for a poignantly open ending, it just felt like someone removed the rug below my feet.
My last read was "A Tale of Two Nights" based on Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) and Babri Masjid demolition of early 90's which again spoke about Hindu Muslim relations and differences in great detail again in a heart touching story. But as if I didn't have enough of it already, I got this one which tells exactly the same story which was happening 50 years prior to Babri Masjid episode. The religious divide which comes in picture at the drop of a hat between the three sects (Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs) time and again, earlier at one point of time they lived like brothers otherwise. And on top of that we have Britisher's who were ruling us at that point of time, the dilemma that the Deputy Commissioner of the town faces with these three groups raring to kill each other in the name of religion and what not, was totally mind-blowing. The entire story is so smartly written, which almost never gives out the name of the place it all is happening as well as the time it is actually taking place. But the way things are going, I could do the math to timeline it and by almost the ending the Author decides to give out the names of the places :) which again is something you need to read the book to experience it. Totally unpredictable I will say.
I just couldn't believe how easily a Hindu will kill a Muslim just because a little political move by the top shots changes the equation. Even when they have lived in the same area for generations and pretty well know that they can never be enemies of each other neither will/should harm each in any circumstance. The way a human turns into an animal or for that matter even worse than an animal was simply shocking. Especially the way quite a few settle their own scores like killing the weaker ones as they couldn't kill the stronger ones or raping the females they couldn't lay their hands on otherwise, unbelievably inhuman and what toll it takes on the readers in-expectant mind. Again as I am never too ashamed to confess as it happens quite a few times with me, here too I had no idea what actually "Tamas" meant, till I finished the book this morning and called my mother to ask what it meant in the context of the book? she said only one word "Darkness", Wow, Hats off to you Mr. Sahni, you just got a fan for life. How apt.
Unfortunately these days I do not read much of Hindi literature, all thanks to the availability in the stores I go book shopping and a little to blame myself that I always rate foreign writers higher than our own. Plus I believe no contemporary writer is writing in Hindi anymore they all are writing in English, further killing Hindi literature.
I know that my blabber makes no sense and does no justice to the terrific writing of Mr. Bhisham Sahni, having said that I will say that each one of us has to read this book and that too in Hindi, its original language (if you can) to get its gravity. Have you read Tamas or seen its TV adaptation or the critically acclaimed movie made by Govind Nihalani on it? Do let me know how you liked it and if you haven't watched or read, I will say read you must first. You are totally going to love it.
My last read was "A Tale of Two Nights" based on Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) and Babri Masjid demolition of early 90's which again spoke about Hindu Muslim relations and differences in great detail again in a heart touching story. But as if I didn't have enough of it already, I got this one which tells exactly the same story which was happening 50 years prior to Babri Masjid episode. The religious divide which comes in picture at the drop of a hat between the three sects (Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs) time and again, earlier at one point of time they lived like brothers otherwise. And on top of that we have Britisher's who were ruling us at that point of time, the dilemma that the Deputy Commissioner of the town faces with these three groups raring to kill each other in the name of religion and what not, was totally mind-blowing. The entire story is so smartly written, which almost never gives out the name of the place it all is happening as well as the time it is actually taking place. But the way things are going, I could do the math to timeline it and by almost the ending the Author decides to give out the names of the places :) which again is something you need to read the book to experience it. Totally unpredictable I will say.
I just couldn't believe how easily a Hindu will kill a Muslim just because a little political move by the top shots changes the equation. Even when they have lived in the same area for generations and pretty well know that they can never be enemies of each other neither will/should harm each in any circumstance. The way a human turns into an animal or for that matter even worse than an animal was simply shocking. Especially the way quite a few settle their own scores like killing the weaker ones as they couldn't kill the stronger ones or raping the females they couldn't lay their hands on otherwise, unbelievably inhuman and what toll it takes on the readers in-expectant mind. Again as I am never too ashamed to confess as it happens quite a few times with me, here too I had no idea what actually "Tamas" meant, till I finished the book this morning and called my mother to ask what it meant in the context of the book? she said only one word "Darkness", Wow, Hats off to you Mr. Sahni, you just got a fan for life. How apt.
Unfortunately these days I do not read much of Hindi literature, all thanks to the availability in the stores I go book shopping and a little to blame myself that I always rate foreign writers higher than our own. Plus I believe no contemporary writer is writing in Hindi anymore they all are writing in English, further killing Hindi literature.
I know that my blabber makes no sense and does no justice to the terrific writing of Mr. Bhisham Sahni, having said that I will say that each one of us has to read this book and that too in Hindi, its original language (if you can) to get its gravity. Have you read Tamas or seen its TV adaptation or the critically acclaimed movie made by Govind Nihalani on it? Do let me know how you liked it and if you haven't watched or read, I will say read you must first. You are totally going to love it.
July 26, 2024
A classic peep into the traumatic period of India’s partition. In many ways the novel is a true reflection of the modern times as well. While reading the novel I remembered Frank Kafka’s quote- ‘One idiot is one idiot. Two idiots are two idiots. Then thousand idiots are a political party’. Like the novel Pinjar, it captures a period, where as a bystander who watch helplessly as poor innocent people find themselves trapped in a hopeless situation created by a few with vested interests. The novel is a strong commentary on how greed and politics corrupts absolutely.
May 23, 2015
On a moonlit night in a 1940s Punjab torn by communal riots, a Muslim woman leads an elderly Sikh couple whom she's briefly sheltered to what may be safety. As they creep out of the village and along a dried riverbed, they see flames reaching up into the sky from a burning village on one bank of the river. Then, "पेड़ों के झुरमुट में पीर की सफ़ेद क़ब्र उन्हे नज़र आई। उस पर दीया नहीं जल रहा था। आज के रोज़ उस पर दीया जलाना लोग भूल गए थे।" ("In a copse of trees, they saw the white grave of a saint. No lamp was burning on it. On this night, people had forgotten to light a lamp here.")
A poignant and ironic reflection on what was going on: people were too busy burning homes, too busy killing each other—and that too in the name of religion—to think of lighting a lamp at the otherwise revered grave of a saint.
This is what makes Bisham Sahni's Tamas (Darkness) such an unforgettable story about the horror that was Partition. Sahni does weave together the touching, horrifying stories of various people—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, even a British Deputy Commissioner and his bored, alcoholic wife—but more than that, he makes this a story of more than just violence and carnage.
Tamas is about the man who, ignorant of why he's been asked to kill a pig, sparks off communal violence in a town and is then, when he realizes what he's caused, racked by guilt and fear. It is about people driven mad by terror and grief at the loss of their loved ones, their homes and their possessions. It is about people who lose everything and yet remain human; it is also about people who will give up all they have—their faith, their families, everything—just to stay alive.
Here we see Ranvir, fifteen years old but already brainwashed by a communal rabble-rouser into murdering any vulnerable Muslim he can find. And Jasbeer, hanging on to her kirpaan while trying to think of a way to escape sure murder—or worse. Bakshiji and Devdutt and their ilk, politicians trying in their own way (and with their own motives) to halt the violence, to bring peace to the towns and villages. Richard, so interested in India, its culture and history, that he's filled his house with artefacts and even plans to write a book on this pet subject—but who, eventually, does not care enough to try and stop the violence that is erupting in his district.
This is a brilliantly written, vivid and poignant story, of hatred and humanity. Of cold-blooded murder and sudden murderous rages that cause bloodshed. Of mankind gone berserk and men calculating enough to plan for profits from strife. Of bonds forged and bonds broken. Of bigotry and broad mindedness, of cowardice and bravery, of simple human emotion.
And the writing is impeccable: Sahni uses words sparingly, his dialogues are very believable (and he switches effortlessly between Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English, but always providing enough by way of translation to allow understanding). Plus, the way he steers clear of actually articulating philosophy was something that appealed to me. He never writes that this is good or that is bad: he speaks, instead, through his characters and their actions.
Highly recommended.
A poignant and ironic reflection on what was going on: people were too busy burning homes, too busy killing each other—and that too in the name of religion—to think of lighting a lamp at the otherwise revered grave of a saint.
This is what makes Bisham Sahni's Tamas (Darkness) such an unforgettable story about the horror that was Partition. Sahni does weave together the touching, horrifying stories of various people—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, even a British Deputy Commissioner and his bored, alcoholic wife—but more than that, he makes this a story of more than just violence and carnage.
Tamas is about the man who, ignorant of why he's been asked to kill a pig, sparks off communal violence in a town and is then, when he realizes what he's caused, racked by guilt and fear. It is about people driven mad by terror and grief at the loss of their loved ones, their homes and their possessions. It is about people who lose everything and yet remain human; it is also about people who will give up all they have—their faith, their families, everything—just to stay alive.
Here we see Ranvir, fifteen years old but already brainwashed by a communal rabble-rouser into murdering any vulnerable Muslim he can find. And Jasbeer, hanging on to her kirpaan while trying to think of a way to escape sure murder—or worse. Bakshiji and Devdutt and their ilk, politicians trying in their own way (and with their own motives) to halt the violence, to bring peace to the towns and villages. Richard, so interested in India, its culture and history, that he's filled his house with artefacts and even plans to write a book on this pet subject—but who, eventually, does not care enough to try and stop the violence that is erupting in his district.
This is a brilliantly written, vivid and poignant story, of hatred and humanity. Of cold-blooded murder and sudden murderous rages that cause bloodshed. Of mankind gone berserk and men calculating enough to plan for profits from strife. Of bonds forged and bonds broken. Of bigotry and broad mindedness, of cowardice and bravery, of simple human emotion.
And the writing is impeccable: Sahni uses words sparingly, his dialogues are very believable (and he switches effortlessly between Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English, but always providing enough by way of translation to allow understanding). Plus, the way he steers clear of actually articulating philosophy was something that appealed to me. He never writes that this is good or that is bad: he speaks, instead, through his characters and their actions.
Highly recommended.
September 15, 2022
"তমস" শব্দের অর্থ হলো নিকষ অন্ধকার। মানুষের মনের অন্ধকার। যে-সমাজে মানুষ বসবাস করে সেই সমাজের অন্ধকার।
এমনিতে বলা হয়, মানুষ নাকি সামাজিক প্রাণী। সৌভাতৃত্ব, সামাজিকতা, সহানুভূতি, সাম্য, সহযোগিতা, সম্প্রীতি— এরকম অনেক শব্দ তুলসীপাতার মতো ধুয়ে ধুয়ে রাখা হয়। কিন্তু এই শব্দগুলো এতোটাই ঠুনকো যে সামান্য অভিঘাতেই এরা ভেঙে চুরমার হয়ে যায়। এই শব্দগুলো নিয়ে মানুষ যখন বড় বড় বাতচিত করে, আড়ালে দাঁড়িয়ে ইতিহাস মুচকি মুচকি হাসে।
উপমহাদেশের ইতিহাসে দেশভাগ শুধু যে একটা দুঃখজনক ঘটনা ছিলো তা-ই নয়, এটা ছিলো একটা হতবাক করে দেওয়ার মতো ঘটনা। দীর্ঘদিন-যাবৎ পাশাপাশি বসবাস করা শান্তিপ্রিয় প্রতিবেশীরা যখন পরস্পরকে বুভুক্ষু শেয়াল-কুকুরের মতো আক্রমণ করে, শুধুমাত্র আরেকটা ঠুনকো শব্দের দোহাই দিয়ে, যে-শব্দটার নাম "ধর্ম", তখন হতবাক হওয়া ছাড়া আর উপায় থাকে না।
এমনিতে তো ধর্মের উপকারিতা, ধর্মের শক্তি, ধর্মের কল্যাণ, ধর্মের উপযোগিতার খুব একটা প্রমাণ পাওয়া যায় না। কিন্তু দেশভাগের মতো ঘটনায় বেশ বুঝতে পারা গেছিলো, হ্যাঁ... হেব্বি পাওয়ারফুল জিনিস বটে ধর্ম!
ভীষ্ম সাহনির এই আইকনিক হিন্দি উপন্যাসটি খুব সোজাসাপটা ভঙ্গিতে রচিত। ঘটনাস্থল : অবিভক্ত পাঞ্জাব প্রদেশের একটি ছোটো শহর। আসন্ন দেশভাগের প্রেক্ষাপটে ঘটমান সাম্প্রদায়িক-দাঙ্গার বিভৎসতায়, মানুষের পাশবিকতায়, তিনি দার্শনিকতা কিংবা কার্যকারণসূত্র খোঁজার চেষ্টা করেননি। শুধুই নির্বিকার বর্ণনা দিয়ে গেছেন। এই নিস্পৃহ শৈলীই বোধহয় এই উপন্যাসটি জনপ্রিয় হওয়ার সবচেয়ে বড় কারণ। এই উপন্যাসের আরো একটা উল্লেখযোগ্য বৈশিষ্ট্য হলো, লেখক কোনো একটি বিশেষ পক্ষ অবলম্বন করেননি।
নিকষ অন্ধকারে সব পক্ষের মুখই তমসাবৃত হয়ে যায়। যাদের নিয়ে কাহিনি রচিত হয় তাদের মুখ। যিনি সেই কাহিনি রচনা করেন তাঁর মুখ। যারা সেই কাহিনি পাঠ করেন, সেই পাঠকদের মুখও। সব্বার মুখ। দেশভাগ বিষয়ে যেকোনো ভাষায় লেখা বইয়ের মধ্যে সম্ভবত সবচেয়ে বেশি পঠিত এবং আলোচিত উপন্যাস এটি। পরিচালক গোবিন্দ নিহালানি একটি চমৎকার টেলিফিল্মও তৈরি করেছিলেন এই উপন্যাসের গল্পকে অবলম্বন করে। মূল হিন্দি থেকে উপন্যাসটি বাংলায় অনুবাদ করেছেন কবি সুভাষ মুখোপাধ্যায়। অবশ্যপাঠ্য একটি উপন্যাসের সাবলীল অনুবাদ!
এমনিতে বলা হয়, মানুষ নাকি সামাজিক প্রাণী। সৌভাতৃত্ব, সামাজিকতা, সহানুভূতি, সাম্য, সহযোগিতা, সম্প্রীতি— এরকম অনেক শব্দ তুলসীপাতার মতো ধুয়ে ধুয়ে রাখা হয়। কিন্তু এই শব্দগুলো এতোটাই ঠুনকো যে সামান্য অভিঘাতেই এরা ভেঙে চুরমার হয়ে যায়। এই শব্দগুলো নিয়ে মানুষ যখন বড় বড় বাতচিত করে, আড়ালে দাঁড়িয়ে ইতিহাস মুচকি মুচকি হাসে।
উপমহাদেশের ইতিহাসে দেশভাগ শুধু যে একটা দুঃখজনক ঘটনা ছিলো তা-ই নয়, এটা ছিলো একটা হতবাক করে দেওয়ার মতো ঘটনা। দীর্ঘদিন-যাবৎ পাশাপাশি বসবাস করা শান্তিপ্রিয় প্রতিবেশীরা যখন পরস্পরকে বুভুক্ষু শেয়াল-কুকুরের মতো আক্রমণ করে, শুধুমাত্র আরেকটা ঠুনকো শব্দের দোহাই দিয়ে, যে-শব্দটার নাম "ধর্ম", তখন হতবাক হওয়া ছাড়া আর উপায় থাকে না।
এমনিতে তো ধর্মের উপকারিতা, ধর্মের শক্তি, ধর্মের কল্যাণ, ধর্মের উপযোগিতার খুব একটা প্রমাণ পাওয়া যায় না। কিন্তু দেশভাগের মতো ঘটনায় বেশ বুঝতে পারা গেছিলো, হ্যাঁ... হেব্বি পাওয়ারফুল জিনিস বটে ধর্ম!
ভীষ্ম সাহনির এই আইকনিক হিন্দি উপন্যাসটি খুব সোজাসাপটা ভঙ্গিতে রচিত। ঘটনাস্থল : অবিভক্ত পাঞ্জাব প্রদেশের একটি ছোটো শহর। আসন্ন দেশভাগের প্রেক্ষাপটে ঘটমান সাম্প্রদায়িক-দাঙ্গার বিভৎসতায়, মানুষের পাশবিকতায়, তিনি দার্শনিকতা কিংবা কার্যকারণসূত্র খোঁজার চেষ্টা করেননি। শুধুই নির্বিকার বর্ণনা দিয়ে গেছেন। এই নিস্পৃহ শৈলীই বোধহয় এই উপন্যাসটি জনপ্রিয় হওয়ার সবচেয়ে বড় কারণ। এই উপন্যাসের আরো একটা উল্লেখযোগ্য বৈশিষ্ট্য হলো, লেখক কোনো একটি বিশেষ পক্ষ অবলম্বন করেননি।
নিকষ অন্ধকারে সব পক্ষের মুখই তমসাবৃত হয়ে যায়। যাদের নিয়ে কাহিনি রচিত হয় তাদের মুখ। যিনি সেই কাহিনি রচনা করেন তাঁর মুখ। যারা সেই কাহিনি পাঠ করেন, সেই পাঠকদের মুখও। সব্বার মুখ। দেশভাগ বিষয়ে যেকোনো ভাষায় লেখা বইয়ের মধ্যে সম্ভবত সবচেয়ে বেশি পঠিত এবং আলোচিত উপন্যাস এটি। পরিচালক গোবিন্দ নিহালানি একটি চমৎকার টেলিফিল্মও তৈরি করেছিলেন এই উপন্যাসের গল্পকে অবলম্বন করে। মূল হিন্দি থেকে উপন্যাসটি বাংলায় অনুবাদ করেছেন কবি সুভাষ মুখোপাধ্যায়। অবশ্যপাঠ্য একটি উপন্যাসের সাবলীল অনুবাদ!
November 6, 2020
Tamas is an intense and a dark read about the communal riots taking place in India, a few months before the Independence. It can be a disturbing read and yet it's difficult to put this one down. This is one of the gems of Hindi literature and cannot be missed.
August 12, 2018
साम्प्रदायिकता की भीषण अग्नि में धधकते समाज का कैसा मार्मिक चित्रण किया है भीष्म साहनी ने। यह उस अंधकारपूर्ण दौर की दास्तान है जब कि विवेक , सहिष्णुता और सद्भाव के सूर्य को राहु लग चुका है। इस उपन्यास को पढ़े एक दशक से अधिक हो गया लेकिन आज भी इसका सार हृदय में अंकित है।
June 7, 2025
Just finished reading Tamas — and I’m genuinely devastated.
This isn’t just a novel; it’s a punch to the gut. Set in pre-Partition India under British rule, Tamas explores the religious riots between Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities, sparked by a single disturbing event involving a Dalit laborer.
Bhisham Sahni starts slow, almost observational, introducing us to many everyday lives. But as the story builds, the narrative grows darker, more visceral — and brutally honest. It grips you, unsettles you, and forces you to face the madness of communal hatred.
What makes it even more remarkable is the subtle yet sharp layer of satire running through it.
This is not a light read, but it's an essential one — especially if you're into historical fiction that doesn't flinch.
Highly recommended.
An english translation is also available from Penguin.
अभी-अभी तमस पढ़कर खत्म किया और सच में अंदर से हिल गया हूँ।
यह सिर्फ एक उपन्यास नहीं है, बल्कि एक ऐसा अनुभव है जो झकझोर कर रख देता है। तमस की पृष्ठभूमि है ब्रिटिश राज के तहत बंटवारे से पहले का भारत, जहाँ हिंदू, मुस्लिम और सिख समुदायों के बीच दंगे भड़क उठते हैं। कहानी की शुरुआत होती है एक दलित मजदूर की एक रात से — और उसी रात की एक घटना कैसे धीरे-धीरे पूरे शहर को हिंसा में झोंक देती है।
भीष्म साहनी की लेखनी शुरुआत में धीमी और विवरणात्मक लगती है, लेकिन जैसे-जैसे कहानी आगे बढ़ती है, लेखन तीखा, कड़वा और दिल दहला देने वाला हो जाता है।
हर पन्ना आपको बेचैन करेगा, और इस देश की सांप्रदायिक सच्चाई से रुबरु कराएगा। साथ ही, लेखन में मौजूद व्यंग्य की परत इसे और भी प्रभावशाली बनाती है।
अगर आप इतिहास पर आधारित गंभीर साहित्य पढ़ना पसंद करते हैं, तो तमस जरूर पढ़िए।
ज़रूरी किताब है।
This isn’t just a novel; it’s a punch to the gut. Set in pre-Partition India under British rule, Tamas explores the religious riots between Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities, sparked by a single disturbing event involving a Dalit laborer.
Bhisham Sahni starts slow, almost observational, introducing us to many everyday lives. But as the story builds, the narrative grows darker, more visceral — and brutally honest. It grips you, unsettles you, and forces you to face the madness of communal hatred.
What makes it even more remarkable is the subtle yet sharp layer of satire running through it.
This is not a light read, but it's an essential one — especially if you're into historical fiction that doesn't flinch.
Highly recommended.
An english translation is also available from Penguin.
अभी-अभी तमस पढ़कर खत्म किया और सच में अंदर से हिल गया हूँ।
यह सिर्फ एक उपन्यास नहीं है, बल्कि एक ऐसा अनुभव है जो झकझोर कर रख देता है। तमस की पृष्ठभूमि है ब्रिटिश राज के तहत बंटवारे से पहले का भारत, जहाँ हिंदू, मुस्लिम और सिख समुदायों के बीच दंगे भड़क उठते हैं। कहानी की शुरुआत होती है एक दलित मजदूर की एक रात से — और उसी रात की एक घटना कैसे धीरे-धीरे पूरे शहर को हिंसा में झोंक देती है।
भीष्म साहनी की लेखनी शुरुआत में धीमी और विवरणात्मक लगती है, लेकिन जैसे-जैसे कहानी आगे बढ़ती है, लेखन तीखा, कड़वा और दिल दहला देने वाला हो जाता है।
हर पन्ना आपको बेचैन करेगा, और इस देश की सांप्रदायिक सच्चाई से रुबरु कराएगा। साथ ही, लेखन में मौजूद व्यंग्य की परत इसे और भी प्रभावशाली बनाती है।
अगर आप इतिहास पर आधारित गंभीर साहित्य पढ़ना पसंद करते हैं, तो तमस जरूर पढ़िए।
ज़रूरी किताब है।
August 15, 2021
"بنتو۔۔۔ رب راکھا"
تمس (تاریکی) کو منظرِ عام پر آنے کے لیے تقریباً چھبیس سال کا عرصہ لگا۔ ان چھبیس سالوں میں دونوں طرف بہت کچھ بیت چکا تھا۔ جنگیں ہوچکی تھیں۔ قومی ترانے آچکے تھے۔ لیگ اور کانگریس کی شناخت و منشور بدل چکے تھے۔ جرنیل آچکے تھے۔ آئین ترتیب دیئے جا چکے تھے جن میں اقلیتیں اپنی جگہ ڈھونڈ رہی تھیں۔ ٹیگور کی بولی بولنے والی عورتوں کو قومی سپوت اسی برسات میں روند چکے تھے جس کے بارے قرۃالعین حیدر لکھتی ہیں کہ "برسات کے لیے ٹیگور اور سارے بنگالی شاعر شاعری کرتے کرتے مرجاتے ہیں۔" تقسیم سے پہلے جہاں انگریز رچرڈز تھے وہاں تقسیم کے بعد سیکنڑوں رچرڈز آئے اور ان کی خدمت کے لیے سینکڑوں مراد علی نے جنم پایا۔ کئی دیہاڑی داروں کو چھرا گھونپا گیا ، کئی ہرنام سنگھ گھر بدر ہوئے اور کئی جسبیر کنووں کی تاریک گہرائی کا حصہ بنیں۔ اب کہ ان حادثوں کا شور عمیق تھا۔ اب کہ مسلمان ، مسلمان کی عزت لوٹ رہا تھا، گھر بدر کر رہا تھا۔ اب کہ مینا بھی گونگی ہو چکی تھی جس کو "بنتو, رب راکھا" پکارنا تھا۔ اور زندگی کی حیثیت؟ پھر یہاں میرزا ادیب یاد آتے ہیں کہ ایک "صورتِ حال یہ ہو گئی تھی کہ موت - موت رہی نہیں تھی۔ کسی شخص کا مر جانا ایک عام خبر بن گئی تھی جیسے سائیکل کی گھنٹی بجتے بجتے بند ہوجائے یا تانگہ چلتے چلتے رُک جائے۔"
یہ کہانی روالپنڈی، سیدپور کے علاقے ایک مسجد کے سامنے سور پھینکنے کے واقعے سے شروع ہوتی ہے۔ یہ واقعہ اس وقت پیش آتا ہے جب کانگریس کے کچھ ہندو اور مسلمان ارکان پربھات پھیری پر نکلے ہوتے ہیں۔ واقعہ کے پیش آتے ہی محلوں کے مسلمان افراد میں غیظ و اضطراب کی کیفیت جنم لیتی ہے۔ دوسری طرف مسلمان بدلے کی آڑ میں گائے کو ڈنڈے مار کر ہلاک کر دیتے ہیں۔ انگریز حکمران رچرڈ کے پاس وفد کرفیو لگانے کی عرضی لے کر جاتا ہے مگر لوٹا دیا جاتا ہے۔ ایک کردار بخشی صاحب یہ کہتے سنائے دیتے ہیں کہ لگتا ہے آج شہر میں چیلیں اڑیں گی۔ انسانوں کی مارکاٹ شروع ہوتی ہے۔ بلوائی لوٹ کھسوٹ کر رہے ہیں۔ گھر نذر آتش ہو رہے ہیں۔ عورتوں کو استحصال کا نشانہ بنایا جا رہا ہے۔ ہمسایہ ، ہمسائے سے دبک کے بیٹھا ہے۔ جہاں ایک طرف فرقہ وارانہ اختلافات ہیں ادھر ہی کچھ لوگ امن اور اتحاد کی کوششوں میں سرگرم عمل ہیں۔ مستزاد یہ کہ کہانی کے مختلف اور بے شمار کردار ہیں۔ مختلف کردار اس وقت کی مختلف سیاسی پارٹیوں و نظریوں کی نمائندگی بھی کرتے نظر آتے ہیں۔ آخر میں انگریز حکومت کی طرف سے ایک جہاڑ قصبے پر اڑایا جاتا ہے جس سے خوف زدہ ہو کر ساری خونی کاروائی روک دی جاتی ہے۔ رچرڈ کی ترقی ہوجاتی ہے۔ رفیوجی کیمپ لگا دیا جاتا ہے۔ مالی وجانی نقصان کی فہرست تیار کی جاتی ہے۔ معلوم پڑتا ہے کہ جتنے ہندو مارے گئے ہیں اتنے ہی مسلمان موت کے گھاٹ اتارے گئے ہیں۔ امن کمیٹی کا قیام عمل میں آتا ہے۔ کارکن امن بس کے ذریعے رفیوجی کیمپ میں مسلمان اور ہندووں کی خبرگیری و خیرسگالی کے لیے پہنچتے ہیں۔ امن بس کو چلانے والا اور کوئی نہیں وہی مراد علی ہوتا ہے جس کے کہنے پر نتھو سور ہلاک کرتا ہے۔
ہر کردار کی اپنی کہانی ہے۔ مگر ان میں ایک قدر مشترک ہے۔ الم، دکھ اور کرب کی۔ یہ اس معصومیت کا دکھ ہے جس کے تحت ہمسایہ ، ہمسائے کے ہاتھ امانتیں رکھوا کر ہجرت کرتا ہے کہ ہفتہ بھر میں لوٹ آئیں گے۔ یہ اس پنہاں جذبے کا دکھ ہے جس سے سرشار جسبیر سکھ خواتین کے گروہ سمیت کنویں میں چھلانگ دیتی ہے۔ یہ ان کرداروں کا دکھ ہے جو امن کراتے جان کھو بیٹھتے ہیں۔ یہ آنکڑوں کا دکھ نہیں کہ کتنے لوگ دربدر ہوئے، کتنے جان سے گئے۔ یہ کہانی کا دکھ ہے۔ زیدی سمتھ لکھتی ہے کہ "دکھ کا دکھ ہونا ہی جان لیوا ہے۔" یہ کس کا دکھ ہے اس سے فرق نہیں پڑتا۔ فرق پڑتا ہے تو دکھ کے ہونے سے۔ کیوں ؟ قرۃالعین حیدر کے الفاظ کیونکہ "کرب پیہم ہے." ؟ یا پھر میلان کنڈیرا کے الفاظ کے "صرف کرب ہی ایک سچا جذبہ ہے " ؟
سماجی، معاشی، نفسیاتی اور سیاسی حقائق پر مبنی ناول کو گووند نہالانی نے 1988 میں ٹیلی ویژن فلم کی زینت بخشی۔ فلم کے گیت ونراج بھاٹیا نے کمپوز کئے۔ اوم پوری نے نتھو اور کالج کی گولڈ میڈلسٹ دیپا ساہی نے نتھو کی بیوی کا کردار ادا کیا۔ ناول میں جہاں کوئی مرکزی کردار نہیں سوائے الم اور کرب کے، فلم کے اندر نتھو کو مرکزی کردار کی حیثیت حاصل ہے ۔ فلم میں ہرنام سنگھ کا کردار بھیشم ساہنی نے خود ادا کیا ہے۔ فلم کا ایک منظر ہے جس میں نتھو کی بیوی کو انتظار کرتا دکھایا گیا ہے۔ نتھو ضمیر کی کشمکش میں مبتلا ایک دن سے لاپتہ ہے۔ اگلے دن جیسے ہی وہ لوٹتا ہے ، بیوی کی دیکھتے ہی ایک درد بھری آہ نکلتی ہے اور آنکھوں سے آنسو ٹپک پڑتے ہیں۔ بےجا نہ ہوگا اگر کہا جائے کہ ہمارے سماج کی عورت کی محظ یہی شناخت اور حقیقت ہے۔ فقط، اک آہ!
تمس اپنی نوع کی انوکھی تصنیف ہے۔ بھیشم ساہنی لکھتے ہوئے کہیں بھی کسی فرقے کی جانب جھکاؤ نہیں رکھتے۔ کسی کردار کی طرف داری نہیں کرتے۔ کچھ حضرات کو لگتا ہے کہ انہوں نے اس غم کے ساتھ سلوک نہیں کیا۔ ایک لکھاری کی عظمت یہی ہے کہ وہ جذبات کی رَو میں بہہ بغیر تاریخی شعور سے کام لے۔ ناول کا اردو ترجمہ شہلا نقوی نے کیا ہے۔
تمس (تاریکی) کو منظرِ عام پر آنے کے لیے تقریباً چھبیس سال کا عرصہ لگا۔ ان چھبیس سالوں میں دونوں طرف بہت کچھ بیت چکا تھا۔ جنگیں ہوچکی تھیں۔ قومی ترانے آچکے تھے۔ لیگ اور کانگریس کی شناخت و منشور بدل چکے تھے۔ جرنیل آچکے تھے۔ آئین ترتیب دیئے جا چکے تھے جن میں اقلیتیں اپنی جگہ ڈھونڈ رہی تھیں۔ ٹیگور کی بولی بولنے والی عورتوں کو قومی سپوت اسی برسات میں روند چکے تھے جس کے بارے قرۃالعین حیدر لکھتی ہیں کہ "برسات کے لیے ٹیگور اور سارے بنگالی شاعر شاعری کرتے کرتے مرجاتے ہیں۔" تقسیم سے پہلے جہاں انگریز رچرڈز تھے وہاں تقسیم کے بعد سیکنڑوں رچرڈز آئے اور ان کی خدمت کے لیے سینکڑوں مراد علی نے جنم پایا۔ کئی دیہاڑی داروں کو چھرا گھونپا گیا ، کئی ہرنام سنگھ گھر بدر ہوئے اور کئی جسبیر کنووں کی تاریک گہرائی کا حصہ بنیں۔ اب کہ ان حادثوں کا شور عمیق تھا۔ اب کہ مسلمان ، مسلمان کی عزت لوٹ رہا تھا، گھر بدر کر رہا تھا۔ اب کہ مینا بھی گونگی ہو چکی تھی جس کو "بنتو, رب راکھا" پکارنا تھا۔ اور زندگی کی حیثیت؟ پھر یہاں میرزا ادیب یاد آتے ہیں کہ ایک "صورتِ حال یہ ہو گئی تھی کہ موت - موت رہی نہیں تھی۔ کسی شخص کا مر جانا ایک عام خبر بن گئی تھی جیسے سائیکل کی گھنٹی بجتے بجتے بند ہوجائے یا تانگہ چلتے چلتے رُک جائے۔"
یہ کہانی روالپنڈی، سیدپور کے علاقے ایک مسجد کے سامنے سور پھینکنے کے واقعے سے شروع ہوتی ہے۔ یہ واقعہ اس وقت پیش آتا ہے جب کانگریس کے کچھ ہندو اور مسلمان ارکان پربھات پھیری پر نکلے ہوتے ہیں۔ واقعہ کے پیش آتے ہی محلوں کے مسلمان افراد میں غیظ و اضطراب کی کیفیت جنم لیتی ہے۔ دوسری طرف مسلمان بدلے کی آڑ میں گائے کو ڈنڈے مار کر ہلاک کر دیتے ہیں۔ انگریز حکمران رچرڈ کے پاس وفد کرفیو لگانے کی عرضی لے کر جاتا ہے مگر لوٹا دیا جاتا ہے۔ ایک کردار بخشی صاحب یہ کہتے سنائے دیتے ہیں کہ لگتا ہے آج شہر میں چیلیں اڑیں گی۔ انسانوں کی مارکاٹ شروع ہوتی ہے۔ بلوائی لوٹ کھسوٹ کر رہے ہیں۔ گھر نذر آتش ہو رہے ہیں۔ عورتوں کو استحصال کا نشانہ بنایا جا رہا ہے۔ ہمسایہ ، ہمسائے سے دبک کے بیٹھا ہے۔ جہاں ایک طرف فرقہ وارانہ اختلافات ہیں ادھر ہی کچھ لوگ امن اور اتحاد کی کوششوں میں سرگرم عمل ہیں۔ مستزاد یہ کہ کہانی کے مختلف اور بے شمار کردار ہیں۔ مختلف کردار اس وقت کی مختلف سیاسی پارٹیوں و نظریوں کی نمائندگی بھی کرتے نظر آتے ہیں۔ آخر میں انگریز حکومت کی طرف سے ایک جہاڑ قصبے پر اڑایا جاتا ہے جس سے خوف زدہ ہو کر ساری خونی کاروائی روک دی جاتی ہے۔ رچرڈ کی ترقی ہوجاتی ہے۔ رفیوجی کیمپ لگا دیا جاتا ہے۔ مالی وجانی نقصان کی فہرست تیار کی جاتی ہے۔ معلوم پڑتا ہے کہ جتنے ہندو مارے گئے ہیں اتنے ہی مسلمان موت کے گھاٹ اتارے گئے ہیں۔ امن کمیٹی کا قیام عمل میں آتا ہے۔ کارکن امن بس کے ذریعے رفیوجی کیمپ میں مسلمان اور ہندووں کی خبرگیری و خیرسگالی کے لیے پہنچتے ہیں۔ امن بس کو چلانے والا اور کوئی نہیں وہی مراد علی ہوتا ہے جس کے کہنے پر نتھو سور ہلاک کرتا ہے۔
ہر کردار کی اپنی کہانی ہے۔ مگر ان میں ایک قدر مشترک ہے۔ الم، دکھ اور کرب کی۔ یہ اس معصومیت کا دکھ ہے جس کے تحت ہمسایہ ، ہمسائے کے ہاتھ امانتیں رکھوا کر ہجرت کرتا ہے کہ ہفتہ بھر میں لوٹ آئیں گے۔ یہ اس پنہاں جذبے کا دکھ ہے جس سے سرشار جسبیر سکھ خواتین کے گروہ سمیت کنویں میں چھلانگ دیتی ہے۔ یہ ان کرداروں کا دکھ ہے جو امن کراتے جان کھو بیٹھتے ہیں۔ یہ آنکڑوں کا دکھ نہیں کہ کتنے لوگ دربدر ہوئے، کتنے جان سے گئے۔ یہ کہانی کا دکھ ہے۔ زیدی سمتھ لکھتی ہے کہ "دکھ کا دکھ ہونا ہی جان لیوا ہے۔" یہ کس کا دکھ ہے اس سے فرق نہیں پڑتا۔ فرق پڑتا ہے تو دکھ کے ہونے سے۔ کیوں ؟ قرۃالعین حیدر کے الفاظ کیونکہ "کرب پیہم ہے." ؟ یا پھر میلان کنڈیرا کے الفاظ کے "صرف کرب ہی ایک سچا جذبہ ہے " ؟
سماجی، معاشی، نفسیاتی اور سیاسی حقائق پر مبنی ناول کو گووند نہالانی نے 1988 میں ٹیلی ویژن فلم کی زینت بخشی۔ فلم کے گیت ونراج بھاٹیا نے کمپوز کئے۔ اوم پوری نے نتھو اور کالج کی گولڈ میڈلسٹ دیپا ساہی نے نتھو کی بیوی کا کردار ادا کیا۔ ناول میں جہاں کوئی مرکزی کردار نہیں سوائے الم اور کرب کے، فلم کے اندر نتھو کو مرکزی کردار کی حیثیت حاصل ہے ۔ فلم میں ہرنام سنگھ کا کردار بھیشم ساہنی نے خود ادا کیا ہے۔ فلم کا ایک منظر ہے جس میں نتھو کی بیوی کو انتظار کرتا دکھایا گیا ہے۔ نتھو ضمیر کی کشمکش میں مبتلا ایک دن سے لاپتہ ہے۔ اگلے دن جیسے ہی وہ لوٹتا ہے ، بیوی کی دیکھتے ہی ایک درد بھری آہ نکلتی ہے اور آنکھوں سے آنسو ٹپک پڑتے ہیں۔ بےجا نہ ہوگا اگر کہا جائے کہ ہمارے سماج کی عورت کی محظ یہی شناخت اور حقیقت ہے۔ فقط، اک آہ!
تمس اپنی نوع کی انوکھی تصنیف ہے۔ بھیشم ساہنی لکھتے ہوئے کہیں بھی کسی فرقے کی جانب جھکاؤ نہیں رکھتے۔ کسی کردار کی طرف داری نہیں کرتے۔ کچھ حضرات کو لگتا ہے کہ انہوں نے اس غم کے ساتھ سلوک نہیں کیا۔ ایک لکھاری کی عظمت یہی ہے کہ وہ جذبات کی رَو میں بہہ بغیر تاریخی شعور سے کام لے۔ ناول کا اردو ترجمہ شہلا نقوی نے کیا ہے۔
April 20, 2023
Tamas is a novel on the Partition, that is partition with a capital P, an earth shattering event in the history of South Asia that laid the grounds for the division of a subcontinent into several parts: India, Pakistan and later, Bangladesh. Tamas is a novel about riots and in an easily accessible English translation by Daisy Rockwell, demolishes the notion that riots followed the event. This apparent chain of events, of causalities - that one follows the other, is not as easy to comprehend as is made out to be in various histories. In a spectacular piece of prose, Bhisham Sahni lays bare the million hidden layers of trust and animosities co-existing in the various communities within undivided India, jostling and cooperating in equal measure, side-by-side in a delicate yet dynamic balance. And all it takes is a spark, for a chain reaction to start. That spark is provided in the opening scene of the novel and is also alluded to in the book's blurb - the killing of a pig and dumping of its body in the front of a mosque. The tension then builds up, culminating into an orgy of violence and then suddenly, the violence stops and the communities bargain and argue over the aftermath.
Like a monochromatic tinged scene from noir movies, it feels that tamas or darkness and its twin, fear, are always present: the former lurking in the beginning, getting bigger and bigger with each turn of the page, while the latter drenches the entire narrative from the very start. There are multiple varieties of fear: of the neighbour, the unknown, losing faith, closely following the faith and so on. In fact, in the entire story or chain of stories the common thread is the riot. Riot is the main actor, the rest are side actors consigned to play certain spatial and temporal roles and then fade out. Like the light from the lighthouse, the narrative moves from one family to the other, affording each a limited time to play their role and then as soon as the reader starts warming to that story, the spotlight moves on to the next story. The central theme remains the riot, first as a distant murmur, then a loud klaxon and finally a receding echo - a devious reinterpretation of the Doppler's effect.
Bhisham Sahni also comments on the absurdities embedded in the antagonistic relations. He frames the centuries old fight between the Turks and the Sikhs, chiding the Muslims and the Sikhs for having their feet in the 20th century but heads in the middle ages. He also takes a swipe at the British for their deviousness, and in a manner that reflects the 'invisible hand' of Adam Smith, how the riot is allowed to play out for four days before the government responding to it.
The character's dialogues also reflect a sense of amateurishness - deliberately constructed by the author. There are no deep philosophical musings or soliloquies and the message is conveyed through the interactions of the players and the author's voice. Bhisham Sahni also takes a swipe at the nature of India's independence and through the mutterings of a subaltern, contends that there was a transfer of power but no social revolution either preceded or followed that transfer.
Written in 1972 and followed an acclaimed mini-series by Govind Nihalani, this book remains a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between people, and how quickly faith and trust can be weaponised.
Like a monochromatic tinged scene from noir movies, it feels that tamas or darkness and its twin, fear, are always present: the former lurking in the beginning, getting bigger and bigger with each turn of the page, while the latter drenches the entire narrative from the very start. There are multiple varieties of fear: of the neighbour, the unknown, losing faith, closely following the faith and so on. In fact, in the entire story or chain of stories the common thread is the riot. Riot is the main actor, the rest are side actors consigned to play certain spatial and temporal roles and then fade out. Like the light from the lighthouse, the narrative moves from one family to the other, affording each a limited time to play their role and then as soon as the reader starts warming to that story, the spotlight moves on to the next story. The central theme remains the riot, first as a distant murmur, then a loud klaxon and finally a receding echo - a devious reinterpretation of the Doppler's effect.
Bhisham Sahni also comments on the absurdities embedded in the antagonistic relations. He frames the centuries old fight between the Turks and the Sikhs, chiding the Muslims and the Sikhs for having their feet in the 20th century but heads in the middle ages. He also takes a swipe at the British for their deviousness, and in a manner that reflects the 'invisible hand' of Adam Smith, how the riot is allowed to play out for four days before the government responding to it.
The character's dialogues also reflect a sense of amateurishness - deliberately constructed by the author. There are no deep philosophical musings or soliloquies and the message is conveyed through the interactions of the players and the author's voice. Bhisham Sahni also takes a swipe at the nature of India's independence and through the mutterings of a subaltern, contends that there was a transfer of power but no social revolution either preceded or followed that transfer.
Written in 1972 and followed an acclaimed mini-series by Govind Nihalani, this book remains a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between people, and how quickly faith and trust can be weaponised.
September 7, 2019
اس بات میں شک نہیں کہ ناول بہت اچھا ہے۔ جو کچھ ایک اچھے ناول میں ہونا چاہئے وہ سب ہے۔ لیکن سوائے ان جگہوں کے جہاں انگریز افسر اور اسکی بیوی کا ذکر آتا تھا مجھے یوں محسوس ہوا کہ یہ سب پہلے بھی میں پڑھ چکا ہوں۔ فسادات پر لکھا جانے والا ادب میں نے نہ پڑھا ہوتا تو شاید مجھے یہ ناول بہت حیران کرتا۔ لیکن منٹو، کرشن چندر، عصمت، بیدی، وغیرہ کے بعد اسکو پڑھنا بس اچھا تھا۔ پھر یہ بھی ہے کہ اسے ایک اہم ناول ضرور سمجھنا چاہئے اور منٹو عصمت بیدی وغیرہ کو پڑھنے کے بعد بھی اسے ایک دفعہ پڑھ ضرور لینا چاہئے۔
لیکن میرا مسئلہ شاید یہ ہے کہ میں ایک ایسے تجربہ کی تلاش میں تھا جو مجھ پر گہرا اثر چھوڑے۔ وہ تجربہ اس ناول سے حاصل نہیں ہوا۔ ممکن ہے
سب کا تجربہ ایسا نہ ہو۔
لیکن میرا مسئلہ شاید یہ ہے کہ میں ایک ایسے تجربہ کی تلاش میں تھا جو مجھ پر گہرا اثر چھوڑے۔ وہ تجربہ اس ناول سے حاصل نہیں ہوا۔ ممکن ہے
سب کا تجربہ ایسا نہ ہو۔
Read
February 20, 2016Reading books about Partition has never been easy. The sheer pain of reading those horrific incidences after which one doesn't even feel good to be a human, let alone one that is stuck with that as a history.
Still Bhishm Sahni's take on Partition is a very poignant read. The Story starts off with Nathu a destitude man attempting to kill a Pig, for a handsome amount of 5Rs (Which by the way is not a very comfortable first page read), which has been commissioned by a wealthy Muslim Man apparently (or what we/ Nathu knows) for a vetinery purpose. Little did he know that the same pig would be used for the act of blasphemy by keeping it on the stairs of a Mosque. And in this way starts the Domino effect of riot killings. No one was spared, from sikhs to Hindus to Muslims. The novel depicts how suddenly the once very familiar cross religion neighbourhoods turn bitterly hostile towards one another. The events depicted are based on the true account of 1947 riots, and hence we have elements of brutal killings, Forced Conversions, women falling off the well and also a good Muslim who before hand cautions a sikh couple about the impending doom.
The brilliance lies in the decoding of the human psyche during the riots and wonderfully shown through a series of conversations.
Bhishma Sahini also shows the politics that gripped the Congress due to sycophancy and petty ego issues of the members , while we waited for Independence. Along with that he shows the British nonchalance, who otherwise could have stopped the riots.
Liza:‘Will they fight one another? In London you used to tell me that they were fighting against you’
Richard: ’They are fighting both against us and against one another’
‘You are again joking, Richard. Aren’t you?’
‘In the name of religion they fight one another; in the name of freedom they fight against us.’
‘Don’t try to be too clever, Richard. I also know a thing or two. In the name of freedom they fight against you, but in the name of religion you make them fight one another. Isn’t that right?’
Still Bhishm Sahni's take on Partition is a very poignant read. The Story starts off with Nathu a destitude man attempting to kill a Pig, for a handsome amount of 5Rs (Which by the way is not a very comfortable first page read), which has been commissioned by a wealthy Muslim Man apparently (or what we/ Nathu knows) for a vetinery purpose. Little did he know that the same pig would be used for the act of blasphemy by keeping it on the stairs of a Mosque. And in this way starts the Domino effect of riot killings. No one was spared, from sikhs to Hindus to Muslims. The novel depicts how suddenly the once very familiar cross religion neighbourhoods turn bitterly hostile towards one another. The events depicted are based on the true account of 1947 riots, and hence we have elements of brutal killings, Forced Conversions, women falling off the well and also a good Muslim who before hand cautions a sikh couple about the impending doom.
The brilliance lies in the decoding of the human psyche during the riots and wonderfully shown through a series of conversations.
Bhishma Sahini also shows the politics that gripped the Congress due to sycophancy and petty ego issues of the members , while we waited for Independence. Along with that he shows the British nonchalance, who otherwise could have stopped the riots.
Liza:‘Will they fight one another? In London you used to tell me that they were fighting against you’
Richard: ’They are fighting both against us and against one another’
‘You are again joking, Richard. Aren’t you?’
‘In the name of religion they fight one another; in the name of freedom they fight against us.’
‘Don’t try to be too clever, Richard. I also know a thing or two. In the name of freedom they fight against you, but in the name of religion you make them fight one another. Isn’t that right?’
June 26, 2022
Race and religious riots are not, of course, unique to India, but the subcontinent has had more than its unfair share. It is to be expected, therefore, that Indian literature sometimes seeks to examine such occurrences and in "Tamas" (set at the time of the Partition) we have been given a work intent upon showing us the dynamics of how such events unfold. In presenting his immersive anatomy of a riot, Sahni steps past the usual narrative exposition through the eyes of a central protagonist, giving us multiple protagonists. I admit, I sometimes had trouble keeping track of who was who but then, that was probably Sahni’s intention. So, instead of a central character, we have the contingencies of the multitude. The great strength of Sahni’s work is that most of these contingent characters are so very believable. For example, the reader cannot do other than experience the sickening, primeval fear of an old couple’s night-time flight from the village that has turned against them, a village in which they had spent their entire lives. "Tamas" is an impressive work that not only captures a specific historic moment, but that deadly darkness lurking like a snake in too many of us.
April 20, 2021
" If Hindus and Muslims and Sikhs got together, we'd be unified and that would make the English weaker. The more we fight amongst ourselves, the stronger they get.
It was the same worn out argument these people had heard from him every day, but things had gone too far by now for this argument to have any impact at all."
Partition Literature such as Tamas provide raw insights on sorrow and torment to young generation readers on what really was the reason behind 200,000 to 2 million deaths (Source: Wikipedia) to occur and countless rapes on women, children and even more forced and humiliating religious conversions which took place under the cloak of religion but were run by ulterior motives of few ambitious and humanity lacking souls.
Must read book because it is a combination of good writing style, wonderful depiction of society in that time period and providing non-partisan coverage to all communities and all kinds of scenarios encountered during the partition era by those fleeing one country to another.
P.S. : Possibly, one should consider reading it in Hindi because certain English translated words like Mleccha or Kafirs just don't fit into the narration well.
It was the same worn out argument these people had heard from him every day, but things had gone too far by now for this argument to have any impact at all."
Partition Literature such as Tamas provide raw insights on sorrow and torment to young generation readers on what really was the reason behind 200,000 to 2 million deaths (Source: Wikipedia) to occur and countless rapes on women, children and even more forced and humiliating religious conversions which took place under the cloak of religion but were run by ulterior motives of few ambitious and humanity lacking souls.
Must read book because it is a combination of good writing style, wonderful depiction of society in that time period and providing non-partisan coverage to all communities and all kinds of scenarios encountered during the partition era by those fleeing one country to another.
P.S. : Possibly, one should consider reading it in Hindi because certain English translated words like Mleccha or Kafirs just don't fit into the narration well.
July 1, 2021
Stories about partition and communal riots are never easy to read. It feels like you're reading about a parallel universe and not about what happened in the past.
Even though this novel is translated from Hindi, I feel it rightly portrays the emotions and feelings of people who are in one way or the other affected by the riots. You read about tensions rising between neighbours and friends, all in the name of religion. There are some stories of compassion across beliefs as well, which makes you believe in humanity again. This book also gives an insight into the rise of political parties and institutions and how they were perceived by the general population just before independence.
It's a good read and a window to how the events may have unfolded back then.
Even though this novel is translated from Hindi, I feel it rightly portrays the emotions and feelings of people who are in one way or the other affected by the riots. You read about tensions rising between neighbours and friends, all in the name of religion. There are some stories of compassion across beliefs as well, which makes you believe in humanity again. This book also gives an insight into the rise of political parties and institutions and how they were perceived by the general population just before independence.
It's a good read and a window to how the events may have unfolded back then.
May 10, 2012
Have been planning to read this book forever, but somehow never managed to buy/borrow it. Finally managed to lay my hands on it on my recent vacation and glad I didn't read this in parts. The intensity of it takes you in slowly and leaves you with a lump in the throat by the time you finish it.
The book says it's based on real incidents and possible that Bhisham Sahni had witnessed some of the incidents actually narrated in this book. No matter what, they seem quite plausible considering the time and situation that it's set in. Partition remains one of the saddest moments in Indian history and each literary work I read on it makes me sadder and sadder.
Not a typical fiction read, but a must read for any of those interested in history, Indian history in particular.
Now to download the series and watch.
The book says it's based on real incidents and possible that Bhisham Sahni had witnessed some of the incidents actually narrated in this book. No matter what, they seem quite plausible considering the time and situation that it's set in. Partition remains one of the saddest moments in Indian history and each literary work I read on it makes me sadder and sadder.
Not a typical fiction read, but a must read for any of those interested in history, Indian history in particular.
Now to download the series and watch.
May 7, 2026
Partition is a complicated event. What is not complicated is the root of the violence surrounding it, which is communal differences. Bhishma Sahni depicts the communal violence in depth. The narrative is slow burn even though the catalyst is quite explosive. The violence builds up and Sahni shows us every piece of the story quite well, highlighting the hypocrisy as well as break down of personal relationships based on religious strife. He calls out Hindu Fundamentalism quite blatantly as well. He also highlights the gender based violence in depth which i did not expect to see. I just wish he hadn't been skewed in his view of men of a particular religion (Muslims) being part of gender based crime. It was harrowing to imagine the levels of violence even if experienced through a fictional piece of work.
June 21, 2012
Kites shall hover, kites and vultures shall continue to hover for long…
Like the receding tide of the sea, the tide of the riots had subsided, leaving behind all kinds of litter and junk and garbage.
The above two quotes from the book summarise the before and after of the book clearly. Bhisham Sahni a master story teller sketches the darkness of partition through Tamas. This is not one story but multiple entwined stories creating a sequence of events building the partition saga.
To read and share your views, visit the link below:
http://storywala.blogspot.in/2012/09/...
Like the receding tide of the sea, the tide of the riots had subsided, leaving behind all kinds of litter and junk and garbage.
The above two quotes from the book summarise the before and after of the book clearly. Bhisham Sahni a master story teller sketches the darkness of partition through Tamas. This is not one story but multiple entwined stories creating a sequence of events building the partition saga.
To read and share your views, visit the link below:
http://storywala.blogspot.in/2012/09/...
June 24, 2025
The powerful Hindu Muslim sentiments depicted during the Indo-Pak partition in the book feel just as relevant today. I really appreciated the POV of a riot, the inner politics, the range of people getting involved, the roles they play, and most importantly how much they get affected. A must read timeless classic!
August 21, 2011
the book is about the time when the partition of INDIA-PAKISTAN took place and the riots that occured during that time.
Its nicely written and if someone one loves reading historic-fiction books u sld probably read this one ..!!
Its nicely written and if someone one loves reading historic-fiction books u sld probably read this one ..!!
May 22, 2021
The colonisation of India and further the partition of India and Pakistan are events which our respective countries are still healing from, and will continue to do so for many generations in the future. Bhisham Shahni’s Tamas is a timeless piece of literature which will remind its readers that a divided country is any ruler’s wet dream - for till people are turned against each other, they cannot hold their government accountable. It is a tale of torture, death and despair which has been lived by numerous families irrespective of their religion during partition. It is history from which we refuse to learn the right lessons from; all that grief has culminated in to is an obscure statistic in a study gathering dust somewhere, or fodder to be selectively fed to public by the hands of hate-mongers till date.
//
“I want figures, only figures, nothing but figures. Why don’t you understand? You start narrating an endless tale of woe and suffering. I am not here to listen to the whole “Ramayana.” Give me figures—how many dead, how many wounded, how much loss of property and goods. That is all.”
//
This is probably more of a rant than review, but all in all, must read.
//
“I want figures, only figures, nothing but figures. Why don’t you understand? You start narrating an endless tale of woe and suffering. I am not here to listen to the whole “Ramayana.” Give me figures—how many dead, how many wounded, how much loss of property and goods. That is all.”
//
This is probably more of a rant than review, but all in all, must read.
February 23, 2022
Not an easy read. Adopted a simplistic view of the tensions surrounding communal violence, and yet terrifyingly relevant even today. Government divides and rules,
May 7, 2025
೧೯೭೫ರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಪಡೆದ ಹಿಂದಿ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯಿದು. ತಮಸ್ ಎಂದರೆ ಅಂಧಕಾರ ಎಂದರ್ಥ. ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ ನಂತರ ವಿಭಜನೆಯ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಘಟಿಸಿದ ಸಂದರ್ಭವನ್ನು ಲೇಖಕರು ಕಥೆಯ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಲೇಖಕರು ಮೂಲತಃ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆದವರು. ಅಂದರೆ ವಿಭಜನೆಯ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಹತ್ಯಾಕಾಂಡವನ್ನು ಕಂಡವರು, ಜನರ ನೋವನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸಿದವರು. ಅದೇ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಬರೆಯಲು ಪ್ರಾಯಶಃ ಲೇಖಕರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೇರಣೆಯಿರಬಹುದು.
ಪುಸ್ತಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇವರೇ ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟವಾದ ಕಥಾನಾಯಕ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳುವುದು ಕಷ್ಟ. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಈ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತವೆ. ಮತ್ತು ಕೆಲವು ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಕೊನೆಯವರೆಗೂ ಉಳಿದುಕೊಂಡಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಕಥೆ ನಡೆಯುವುದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ, ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂದೂ ಮತ್ತು ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರ ನಡುವೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆಯಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಭಾತೃಪ್ರೇಮದಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲರು ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ಒಂದುದಿನ ಮಸೀದಿಯ ಮುಂದೆ ಸತ್ತ ಹಂದಿಯೊಂದು ಬಿದ್ದಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದು ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರಿಗೆ ಅಪವಿತ್ರ. ಅದು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೂ ಹಿಂದೂ ಆಗಿರಬಹುದೆಂದು ಊರಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲ ಅಶಾಂತಿ ವಾತಾವರಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹತ್ಯೆಗಳು, ಮನೆ ಸುಡುವುದು ಹೀಗೆ ಒಂದೊಂದೇ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಎರಡು ಸಮುದಾಯಯದ ಮುಖ್ಯಸ್ಥರು ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಯ ಮುಂದೆ ಇದಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಪರಿಹಾರ ಸೂಚಿಸಲು ಕೋರಿಕೊಂಡಾಗ ಅವನು ನೀವು ನೀವುಗಳೇ ಇದನ್ನ ಬಗೆಹರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ಎಂದು ಕೈ ಎತ್ತಿಬಿಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರು ಹಿಂದೆ ಸರಿದುಕೊಂಡ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಹತ್ಯಾಕಾಂಡ ಭುಗಿಲೇಳುತ್ತದೆ. ವಿಭಜನಾನಂತರದ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಾ ರಾಜಕೀಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುವ ತಿಕ್ಕಾಟವನ್ನು ಈ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯ ಮುಖಾಂತರ ಬೆಳಕಿಗೆ ತಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಲೇಖಕರು. ಆದರೂ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲ ಹಿಂದೂ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರ ನಡುವಿನ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯ ಎತ್ತಿತೋರಿಸಿದೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಕಡೆ ಹತ್ಯೆಗಳು ನಡೆದರೆ, ಕೆಲ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರು ತಮ್ಮ ಹಿಂದೂ ಗೆಳೆಯರನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿದರು. ಹಿಂದೂಗಳು ಕೂಡ ತಮ್ಮ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನ ಗೆಳೆಯರನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಫಲರಾದರು. ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಭಾರತ ಭೂಮಿಯ ವೈಶಿಷ್ಟ್ಯ. ಲೇಖಕರು ಬಹಳ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಪುಸ್ತಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇವರೇ ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟವಾದ ಕಥಾನಾಯಕ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳುವುದು ಕಷ್ಟ. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಈ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತವೆ. ಮತ್ತು ಕೆಲವು ಪಾತ್ರಗಳು ಕೊನೆಯವರೆಗೂ ಉಳಿದುಕೊಂಡಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಕಥೆ ನಡೆಯುವುದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ, ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂದೂ ಮತ್ತು ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರ ನಡುವೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆಯಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಭಾತೃಪ್ರೇಮದಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲರು ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ಒಂದುದಿನ ಮಸೀದಿಯ ಮುಂದೆ ಸತ್ತ ಹಂದಿಯೊಂದು ಬಿದ್ದಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದು ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರಿಗೆ ಅಪವಿತ್ರ. ಅದು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೂ ಹಿಂದೂ ಆಗಿರಬಹುದೆಂದು ಊರಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲ ಅಶಾಂತಿ ವಾತಾವರಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹತ್ಯೆಗಳು, ಮನೆ ಸುಡುವುದು ಹೀಗೆ ಒಂದೊಂದೇ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಎರಡು ಸಮುದಾಯಯದ ಮುಖ್ಯಸ್ಥರು ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಯ ಮುಂದೆ ಇದಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಪರಿಹಾರ ಸೂಚಿಸಲು ಕೋರಿಕೊಂಡಾಗ ಅವನು ನೀವು ನೀವುಗಳೇ ಇದನ್ನ ಬಗೆಹರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ಎಂದು ಕೈ ಎತ್ತಿಬಿಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷರು ಹಿಂದೆ ಸರಿದುಕೊಂಡ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಹತ್ಯಾಕಾಂಡ ಭುಗಿಲೇಳುತ್ತದೆ. ವಿಭಜನಾನಂತರದ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಾ ರಾಜಕೀಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುವ ತಿಕ್ಕಾಟವನ್ನು ಈ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯ ಮುಖಾಂತರ ಬೆಳಕಿಗೆ ತಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಲೇಖಕರು. ಆದರೂ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲ ಹಿಂದೂ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರ ನಡುವಿನ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯ ಎತ್ತಿತೋರಿಸಿದೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಕಡೆ ಹತ್ಯೆಗಳು ನಡೆದರೆ, ಕೆಲ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರು ತಮ್ಮ ಹಿಂದೂ ಗೆಳೆಯರನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿದರು. ಹಿಂದೂಗಳು ಕೂಡ ತಮ್ಮ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನ ಗೆಳೆಯರನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಫಲರಾದರು. ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಭಾರತ ಭೂಮಿಯ ವೈಶಿಷ್ಟ್ಯ. ಲೇಖಕರು ಬಹಳ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
July 8, 2025
There's not as much pain and agony in death as is in the wait and anticipation of it. It's the moment before the death that's painful, not death itself.
The first two pages and the last two pages are like the two ends of the string that knot and close the loop.
This novel drills through your strongest emotional barricades on the account of Anticipation of Death and Tragedy. It has TRULY captured what the people living through riots might feel, the uncertainty, the fragility of life, the anticipation of death!
I can't stress more on the word 'Anticipation'. Not that death or tragedy doesn't actually occur in this novel, but it's the possibility of it happening at any moment that keeps your throat choked and heart sunken.
If I were to paint a colour to this book, I would give it a dull orange with a red in its middle and dirty brown on the periphery.
The first two pages and the last two pages are like the two ends of the string that knot and close the loop.
This novel drills through your strongest emotional barricades on the account of Anticipation of Death and Tragedy. It has TRULY captured what the people living through riots might feel, the uncertainty, the fragility of life, the anticipation of death!
I can't stress more on the word 'Anticipation'. Not that death or tragedy doesn't actually occur in this novel, but it's the possibility of it happening at any moment that keeps your throat choked and heart sunken.
If I were to paint a colour to this book, I would give it a dull orange with a red in its middle and dirty brown on the periphery.
July 20, 2019
Finished this book with mixed feelings. This is certainly a wonderful depiction of the period just prior to partition and people's constantly changing fears and motivations during that time. On the other hand it falls a bit short as a novel. I liked it a lot in many places, but by the time I got to the end, it felt somehow incomplete.
First about the translation - this is Bhisham Sahni's own translation and it is quite good, even if it is unlikely to match the original Hindi version.
The first half of the book is excellent, particularly in the characterization of the motley collection of characters. That is quite a feat actually, given there are several characters and not enough space can be allocated to anyone in specific. Still, even in just a few pages, he manages to do this and you get a wonderful sense of the person and his/her motivations. He also brings out the distinctions and segregation in class, caste, religion and political opinions beautifully. It gives you a sense of being in that time and place.
Unfortunately, two things detract from making this book a classic. Firstly, the number of characters make it problematic to close the narrative arc on many of the characters. The author, in fact, does not even try to do that, probably because it is not possible to do so without making the novel meander around for another 100 odd pages. That would have been fine if only he had not built up the characters in the first half of the book. Their sudden disappearance or negligent wrap-up of their narrative arcs leave you feeling shortchanged.
The second issue is with the structure of the book itself. It suddenly flips from being a keenly observed characterization of individual behaviours and motivations to the happenings and happenstances of a riot. The problem is this shift in structure doesn't happen organically, it seems almost forced making the book read like two distinct halves loosely connected. New characters are suddenly introduced and the old characters disappear only to make their entry again for a footnote like closure.
That said, Bhisham Sahni is as proficient in his description of events during the riots and post the riots as he is in the characterization in the first half. For instance, the way he brings to life the grotesque mixture of relief, distress, macabre humour and political machinations in the relief camp is searingly heartbreaking. So too, the experience of specific individuals victimized by the rioting itself. The detached way in which he describes these events makes it even more compelling.
All said, a book worth reading for its honesty, keenly observed understanding of individual failings, fears and ambitions, and its detached birds eye view of how a riot actually unfolds and ends. It is, you could say, two books in one, and could well have been written that way.
First about the translation - this is Bhisham Sahni's own translation and it is quite good, even if it is unlikely to match the original Hindi version.
The first half of the book is excellent, particularly in the characterization of the motley collection of characters. That is quite a feat actually, given there are several characters and not enough space can be allocated to anyone in specific. Still, even in just a few pages, he manages to do this and you get a wonderful sense of the person and his/her motivations. He also brings out the distinctions and segregation in class, caste, religion and political opinions beautifully. It gives you a sense of being in that time and place.
Unfortunately, two things detract from making this book a classic. Firstly, the number of characters make it problematic to close the narrative arc on many of the characters. The author, in fact, does not even try to do that, probably because it is not possible to do so without making the novel meander around for another 100 odd pages. That would have been fine if only he had not built up the characters in the first half of the book. Their sudden disappearance or negligent wrap-up of their narrative arcs leave you feeling shortchanged.
The second issue is with the structure of the book itself. It suddenly flips from being a keenly observed characterization of individual behaviours and motivations to the happenings and happenstances of a riot. The problem is this shift in structure doesn't happen organically, it seems almost forced making the book read like two distinct halves loosely connected. New characters are suddenly introduced and the old characters disappear only to make their entry again for a footnote like closure.
That said, Bhisham Sahni is as proficient in his description of events during the riots and post the riots as he is in the characterization in the first half. For instance, the way he brings to life the grotesque mixture of relief, distress, macabre humour and political machinations in the relief camp is searingly heartbreaking. So too, the experience of specific individuals victimized by the rioting itself. The detached way in which he describes these events makes it even more compelling.
All said, a book worth reading for its honesty, keenly observed understanding of individual failings, fears and ambitions, and its detached birds eye view of how a riot actually unfolds and ends. It is, you could say, two books in one, and could well have been written that way.
August 11, 2021
(re-sharing this from my ig as it is Sahni's Birth Anniversary today)
(actualy written on 24/5/21)
𝙏𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 - 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. Inspired by Bhishm Sahni's own experience during the partition, this story is set in Punjab, just before the Partition. One instance of the communal riots that ravaged our country at the time. The account is of merely 5 days, but of 5 dark, terrifying days. Sahni captures a bird's eye view of the riots and how they were inextricably connected with lies, politics and economics. He weaves together the horrifying stories of various characters, - Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and even the District British Commissioner. There's no single protagonist, the riot itself is the protagonist.
We start with Nathu, who was paid to kill a pig, unaware of the real reason behind it. This becomes the spark provoking the fire of communal violence that would come to ravage the town.
Mankind goes beserk because of terror. People do the unthinkable because they believe it's the only way to survive. The way the best of friends can no longer trust each other. Some people who'd die to save their religion and honour and others who gave it up to save their lives. The hesitation of a rioter when about to kill someone he knew. An old Muslim lady giving refuge to Sikhs in her house. How 15 year year old Ranviir is brainwashed into murdering every Muslim possible. Iqbal Singh who turns into Iqbal Ahmed overnight to save his life. The British commissioner who loves Indian culture but doesn't care enough to try to stop the riots from taking place.The blame game played by all the political parties. In a moment, how people are refugees in their own houses.
This is a poignant story of humanity and hatred. Bravery and cowardice. Kindness and cruelty. Betrayal from the most trustworthy and loyalty from whom you don't even know. It's chilling and uncomfortable, frightening and depressing but I will still ask you to read it. Because it shows how paranoia makes one do the unthinkable. The smallest of misunderstandings lead to murders. How all humanity is lost, all ideals, all the claims of brotherhood are lost in the face of terror. And, the instances here remain true to this day.The players change, but the story remains the same.
लगता है शहर पर चीलें उड़ेंगी। आसार बहुत बुरे हैं।
(actualy written on 24/5/21)
𝙏𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 - 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. Inspired by Bhishm Sahni's own experience during the partition, this story is set in Punjab, just before the Partition. One instance of the communal riots that ravaged our country at the time. The account is of merely 5 days, but of 5 dark, terrifying days. Sahni captures a bird's eye view of the riots and how they were inextricably connected with lies, politics and economics. He weaves together the horrifying stories of various characters, - Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and even the District British Commissioner. There's no single protagonist, the riot itself is the protagonist.
We start with Nathu, who was paid to kill a pig, unaware of the real reason behind it. This becomes the spark provoking the fire of communal violence that would come to ravage the town.
Mankind goes beserk because of terror. People do the unthinkable because they believe it's the only way to survive. The way the best of friends can no longer trust each other. Some people who'd die to save their religion and honour and others who gave it up to save their lives. The hesitation of a rioter when about to kill someone he knew. An old Muslim lady giving refuge to Sikhs in her house. How 15 year year old Ranviir is brainwashed into murdering every Muslim possible. Iqbal Singh who turns into Iqbal Ahmed overnight to save his life. The British commissioner who loves Indian culture but doesn't care enough to try to stop the riots from taking place.The blame game played by all the political parties. In a moment, how people are refugees in their own houses.
This is a poignant story of humanity and hatred. Bravery and cowardice. Kindness and cruelty. Betrayal from the most trustworthy and loyalty from whom you don't even know. It's chilling and uncomfortable, frightening and depressing but I will still ask you to read it. Because it shows how paranoia makes one do the unthinkable. The smallest of misunderstandings lead to murders. How all humanity is lost, all ideals, all the claims of brotherhood are lost in the face of terror. And, the instances here remain true to this day.The players change, but the story remains the same.
लगता है शहर पर चीलें उड़ेंगी। आसार बहुत बुरे हैं।
February 22, 2023
This was a difficult book to read. It isn't that I haven't read historical fiction based on Partition or World Wars before and had my heart broken multiple times reading such books. But this time there was a tinge of other emotions as well, along with the sadness that accompanies with war based books. I felt anger at the injustice of it all. I mean the violence is instigated by someone, the deed is carried out by someone else but who suffers in the end? The common people, the daily wage laborer but again these are the same people who are emotional and God fearing but ready to pick up arms when pushed against a wall. There was a sense of frustration at the end too, when things return back to a little normalcy, the babus and officers act as if nothing really serious has happened. Everything is forgotten but not really forgiven because deep down they know that a Hindu can never again trust a Muslim and vice versa. The events that occur here are like a precursor to the Partition.
The first half of the book shows how people go about their daily business in a small city and villages and although there is a sense of trouble arriving soon, people still have some hopes from the British administration that they will take prompt actions and help in curbing the violence that threatens to ruin the delicate equilibrium of peace between the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities. But by the time the British officer brings in the army, a hundred and three villages have already been put under fire and so much blood spilt and property destroyed that the relief brought in at the end seems like a pointless mockery. Bhisham Sahni has put across his message that there are good and bad people in all religion but what matters in the end are your choices and your actions.
I might read the book again in future(I usually don't reread books), but I'm definitely watching the old TV series this weekend.
The first half of the book shows how people go about their daily business in a small city and villages and although there is a sense of trouble arriving soon, people still have some hopes from the British administration that they will take prompt actions and help in curbing the violence that threatens to ruin the delicate equilibrium of peace between the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities. But by the time the British officer brings in the army, a hundred and three villages have already been put under fire and so much blood spilt and property destroyed that the relief brought in at the end seems like a pointless mockery. Bhisham Sahni has put across his message that there are good and bad people in all religion but what matters in the end are your choices and your actions.
I might read the book again in future(I usually don't reread books), but I'm definitely watching the old TV series this weekend.
September 10, 2010
Two weeks ago I picked this book from the library only by chance and I honestly didn’t expect I would find this interesting as I do.
The story is based on the true events of riots of India-Pakistan partition in 1947 to which the author was himself the witness. Tamas also explores the horrible politics of those times and events of a freedom struggle. The story captures the four days of violence through the eyes of different characters in the book and the horrifying experiences of people. The book tells the stories of Hindus, Muslim and Sikhs both good and bad and British. The events after the riots show how British achieved their divide and rule policy successfully.
The novel has a sort of episodic structure and some what difficult to find the connection to the last but that does not remove the greatness of this book. The book is depressing, frightening still it is a must read book for anyone who is needs the historical events and facts connected to India-Pakistan partition. A riot that resulted from finding pig carcass on a mosque’s steps that eventually leads to the deaths of nearly a quarter million.
The story is based on the true events of riots of India-Pakistan partition in 1947 to which the author was himself the witness. Tamas also explores the horrible politics of those times and events of a freedom struggle. The story captures the four days of violence through the eyes of different characters in the book and the horrifying experiences of people. The book tells the stories of Hindus, Muslim and Sikhs both good and bad and British. The events after the riots show how British achieved their divide and rule policy successfully.
The novel has a sort of episodic structure and some what difficult to find the connection to the last but that does not remove the greatness of this book. The book is depressing, frightening still it is a must read book for anyone who is needs the historical events and facts connected to India-Pakistan partition. A riot that resulted from finding pig carcass on a mosque’s steps that eventually leads to the deaths of nearly a quarter million.
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