What do you think?
Rate this book
In Search Of Shobha
The discovery of an unexpected cache of letters dating back to the early 20th century, as well as a notebook of diary jottings and poems, suddenly brings a largely unknown, rarely-spoken of grandmother into focus, and sparks off an intimate journey of discovery by the author. As she pieces together the portrait of Shobha, a remarkable woman living in pre-independence Bengal, Brinda Crishna simultaneously journeys deeper into herself and her family history. Together with the author, we slowly begin to discover an unconventional, courageous woman who quietly faced life's challenges head on, carving a reputable career for herself out of forbidding circumstances.
This was a period when the newly formed Brahmo Samaj was defying many of the restrictions, taboos and superstitions that trapped women into circumscribed domesticity, subject to the diktat of male members of the extended family. Unique and yet indicative of many women like her living in an age of rapid social change, Shobha was part of the dynamism of the times, pursuing education, finding her own path and making her own choices. Her invaluable contribution to the emancipation of Indian women through education of the girl child is a lasting legacy.
This volume offers a deeply personal family history embedded in the social history of the times, enriched with facsimiles and vintage photographs that bring the story alive.
This was a period when the newly formed Brahmo Samaj was defying many of the restrictions, taboos and superstitions that trapped women into circumscribed domesticity, subject to the diktat of male members of the extended family. Unique and yet indicative of many women like her living in an age of rapid social change, Shobha was part of the dynamism of the times, pursuing education, finding her own path and making her own choices. Her invaluable contribution to the emancipation of Indian women through education of the girl child is a lasting legacy.
This volume offers a deeply personal family history embedded in the social history of the times, enriched with facsimiles and vintage photographs that bring the story alive.
Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2023
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 29, 2023
In search of Shobha stirred my soul.
The beauty of the book reflects the authors labour pains, processing and offerings to an ancestor; not only is it an homage to her grandmother whom she never met but the ancestors reverence makes it kind of float !!!
It's as if Brinda hasnt written it rather she has been divinely guided to and uplift readers through this time of great confusion & apathy like a remarkable channel !
This cannot be achieved without an ancestral blessing or calling?
Shobha as a woman offers a glimpse into her soul.She needed to be heard, celebrated and loved.
I felt real physical and deeply emotional pain on reading letters written to her by an admirer Utsavananda...and Shobhas too.
I also receive the book after my own life has processed so many types of emotional catharsis. I value her story and strangely feel uplifted too.
Letters are ethereal at times...elevating and yet oddly its pathos did not depress me...it made me see the people at that time had bigger ideals and loftier thoughts.
I feel each reader shall receive wisdom at their own present level and gain whatever is necessary that Shobha wants to still empower women with!!!!
I felt and resonate with her "vairagya"( detachment)that she reaches at end of her life....she did glorify her pain into a spiritual plea...but she chose to keep it within( the times were urgent, demanding, and she had by Gods grace channelised so many phases through dharma and karmas.
That defines her and saves her for seva to mankind...a high price paid for her personal peace .
Lastly ur name on top of each page *Brinda* ( another name for flaming sword but mostly referred closest ot VRINDA which is the sacred Tulsi another form of Radha)...who is the earthly manifestation and consort of Krishna..so
( *Crishna*)..in this case *Brinda & Crishna* bless Shobha on each page like a chant giving her love a karmic release into the sublime universal love ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you for Introducing Shobha
It is time we reconnect with our ancestors to ground ourselves and hopefully understand our roots so one can carry on their legacy..
A great read!!!
The beauty of the book reflects the authors labour pains, processing and offerings to an ancestor; not only is it an homage to her grandmother whom she never met but the ancestors reverence makes it kind of float !!!
It's as if Brinda hasnt written it rather she has been divinely guided to and uplift readers through this time of great confusion & apathy like a remarkable channel !
This cannot be achieved without an ancestral blessing or calling?
Shobha as a woman offers a glimpse into her soul.She needed to be heard, celebrated and loved.
I felt real physical and deeply emotional pain on reading letters written to her by an admirer Utsavananda...and Shobhas too.
I also receive the book after my own life has processed so many types of emotional catharsis. I value her story and strangely feel uplifted too.
Letters are ethereal at times...elevating and yet oddly its pathos did not depress me...it made me see the people at that time had bigger ideals and loftier thoughts.
I feel each reader shall receive wisdom at their own present level and gain whatever is necessary that Shobha wants to still empower women with!!!!
I felt and resonate with her "vairagya"( detachment)that she reaches at end of her life....she did glorify her pain into a spiritual plea...but she chose to keep it within( the times were urgent, demanding, and she had by Gods grace channelised so many phases through dharma and karmas.
That defines her and saves her for seva to mankind...a high price paid for her personal peace .
Lastly ur name on top of each page *Brinda* ( another name for flaming sword but mostly referred closest ot VRINDA which is the sacred Tulsi another form of Radha)...who is the earthly manifestation and consort of Krishna..so
( *Crishna*)..in this case *Brinda & Crishna* bless Shobha on each page like a chant giving her love a karmic release into the sublime universal love ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you for Introducing Shobha
It is time we reconnect with our ancestors to ground ourselves and hopefully understand our roots so one can carry on their legacy..
A great read!!!
December 1, 2023
In Search of Shobha is an intimate trip of love and courage with which, in various moments, we identified ourselves with.
Brinda creative writing raises and stimulates our interest to engage in her research and shows us the context at the time of the life of Shobha, so important to understand the course of events and her personal formation and decision making process.
Shobha “ comes out of the fog “ showing us all the power that emanates from her ( was hidden/refrained ) and the strong desire to assert herself throughout life. We out her determination, her choices and sacrifices, her sadness, love, intelligence, pain, joy and secret… .
Feelings and emotions that we also share and experience with other women, anywhere in the world, throughout our lifes.
Thank you so much Brinda for sharing and for the tenderness with which, page by page, you were unveiling Shobha.
A precious and unique book.
Ana
Brinda creative writing raises and stimulates our interest to engage in her research and shows us the context at the time of the life of Shobha, so important to understand the course of events and her personal formation and decision making process.
Shobha “ comes out of the fog “ showing us all the power that emanates from her ( was hidden/refrained ) and the strong desire to assert herself throughout life. We out her determination, her choices and sacrifices, her sadness, love, intelligence, pain, joy and secret… .
Feelings and emotions that we also share and experience with other women, anywhere in the world, throughout our lifes.
Thank you so much Brinda for sharing and for the tenderness with which, page by page, you were unveiling Shobha.
A precious and unique book.
Ana
December 3, 2023
As if, there had been some dry soil waiting for the showers. I found “In search of Sobha” petrichor-ish!
How incredibly Brinda have unravelled the delicate nuances of a very lost and forgotten aspect of her family history. I was amazed to understand that the way we know passion today, the way we understand the wholesomeness and warmth of redamancy today, stood firm on this ground itself in the same way, with the same intensity a century back!
The pre-independence era, glimpses of Brahmo -samaj showed up before my eyes in such a succinct manner.
Brinda, just like a gentle shower poured on to the once forgotten dusty soil of her ancestry and left us with this petrichorish marvel
I have read it not once but thrice, and have shared it with a like minded friend to spread the magic of the feeling.
Thank you Brinda !!!
Kudos to your detail research related hard work too!
How incredibly Brinda have unravelled the delicate nuances of a very lost and forgotten aspect of her family history. I was amazed to understand that the way we know passion today, the way we understand the wholesomeness and warmth of redamancy today, stood firm on this ground itself in the same way, with the same intensity a century back!
The pre-independence era, glimpses of Brahmo -samaj showed up before my eyes in such a succinct manner.
Brinda, just like a gentle shower poured on to the once forgotten dusty soil of her ancestry and left us with this petrichorish marvel
I have read it not once but thrice, and have shared it with a like minded friend to spread the magic of the feeling.
Thank you Brinda !!!
Kudos to your detail research related hard work too!
December 1, 2023
The author, Brinda Crishna, has gone to great lengths to recreate the life & times of Shobha & others like her. An incredible story of a woman's strength of character in the face of so much suffering. A truly great read. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews