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A Game of Fire: The classic Punjabi novel, a sequel to Hymns in Blood
1947. Amritsar. Guru Ram Das Serai near the Golden Temple has become a temporary refuge for Hindu and Sikh families fleeing the communal terror and bloodbath of Partition. One of the legions of volunteers providing succour to the new arrivals is Satnam Singh, the leader of the local Unity Council. He is struck by the extraordinary calm of an erudite-looking old man with a long flowing beard, and his companion, a resolute young woman, whose eyes seem haunted by the tragedies they have witnessed.
Taking the story of the Partition forward from Hymns in Blood, A Game of Fire follows Satnam as he observes the rising tide of communal violence threaten his beloved Amritsar. His own friends abandon their beliefs to join the relentless cycle of revenge and retribution, determined to purge the city of its large Muslim population. Even as he shelters the elderly man and the young woman in his own home, his faith in placing humanity before religion is severely tested and he oscillates between steadfastness and deep despair.
Against the backdrop of emerging fissures in a new country and its people, Agg di Khed paints the picture of a city in turmoil and the unexpected heroes who rise from this catastrophe, its message as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1948.
Taking the story of the Partition forward from Hymns in Blood, A Game of Fire follows Satnam as he observes the rising tide of communal violence threaten his beloved Amritsar. His own friends abandon their beliefs to join the relentless cycle of revenge and retribution, determined to purge the city of its large Muslim population. Even as he shelters the elderly man and the young woman in his own home, his faith in placing humanity before religion is severely tested and he oscillates between steadfastness and deep despair.
Against the backdrop of emerging fissures in a new country and its people, Agg di Khed paints the picture of a city in turmoil and the unexpected heroes who rise from this catastrophe, its message as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1948.
- GenresIndia
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 30, 2024
One of my favourite reads of all time!!!
Set in 1947, the year of partition in Amritsar, A Game of Fire, a sequel to Hymns in Blood introduces us to a new character: Satnam Singh, the leader of the Unity Council. He is trying to keep the communities together and keep the flame of humanity alive, but when the wind of hatred becomes a hurricane, he finds it difficult to sustain his thoughts.
Tormented by his own beliefs and the situation around him, he meets Krishna and her Babaji at Guru Ram Das Serai near the Golden Temple, where they have taken a temporary refuge. What will happen when Satnam invites them to his home for a temporary residence? What will happen to a city that is currently perceived as a symbol of serenity that experienced “Agg di Khed” (A Game Of Fire) before? Read the book to find out.
Throughout history, we rarely come across female personalities and leaders, and their roles and involvement are very much restricted or, even worse, neglected and looked over and discussed only in the context of violence and harassment. Nanak Singh very carefully breaks this narrative through the characters of Krishna and Satnam’s mother, Kesar Kaur.
At a time when one can see the rise of communalism and extremist sentiments very high around them, A Game of Fire and its story find their relevance again, sadly. Thus it becomes a lot more impactful and important story that needs not only to be read but felt.
Detailed review on Purple Pencil Project website! Link : https://www.purplepencilproject.com/n...
Set in 1947, the year of partition in Amritsar, A Game of Fire, a sequel to Hymns in Blood introduces us to a new character: Satnam Singh, the leader of the Unity Council. He is trying to keep the communities together and keep the flame of humanity alive, but when the wind of hatred becomes a hurricane, he finds it difficult to sustain his thoughts.
Tormented by his own beliefs and the situation around him, he meets Krishna and her Babaji at Guru Ram Das Serai near the Golden Temple, where they have taken a temporary refuge. What will happen when Satnam invites them to his home for a temporary residence? What will happen to a city that is currently perceived as a symbol of serenity that experienced “Agg di Khed” (A Game Of Fire) before? Read the book to find out.
Throughout history, we rarely come across female personalities and leaders, and their roles and involvement are very much restricted or, even worse, neglected and looked over and discussed only in the context of violence and harassment. Nanak Singh very carefully breaks this narrative through the characters of Krishna and Satnam’s mother, Kesar Kaur.
At a time when one can see the rise of communalism and extremist sentiments very high around them, A Game of Fire and its story find their relevance again, sadly. Thus it becomes a lot more impactful and important story that needs not only to be read but felt.
Detailed review on Purple Pencil Project website! Link : https://www.purplepencilproject.com/n...
August 23, 2024
1947. Amritsar. Guru Ram Das Serai near the Golden Temple has become a temporary refuge for Hindu and Sikh families fleeing the communal terror and bloodbath of Partition. One of the legions of volunteers providing succour to the new arrivals is Satnam Singh, the leader of the local Unity Council. He is struck by the extraordinary calm of an erudite-looking old man with a long flowing beard, and his companion, a resolute young woman, whose eyes seem haunted by the tragedies they have witnessed.
Taking the story of the Partition forward from Hymns in Blood, A Game of Fire follows Satnam as he observes the rising tide of communal violence threaten his beloved Amritsar. His own friends abandon their beliefs to join the relentless cycle of revenge and retribution, determined to purge the city of its large Muslim population. Even as he shelters the elderly man and the young woman in his own home, his faith in placing humanity before religion is severely tested and he oscillates between steadfastness and deep despair.
Against the backdrop of emerging fissures in a new country and its people, Agg di Khed paints the picture of a city in turmoil and the unexpected heroes who rise from this catastrophe, its message as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1948.
Taking the story of the Partition forward from Hymns in Blood, A Game of Fire follows Satnam as he observes the rising tide of communal violence threaten his beloved Amritsar. His own friends abandon their beliefs to join the relentless cycle of revenge and retribution, determined to purge the city of its large Muslim population. Even as he shelters the elderly man and the young woman in his own home, his faith in placing humanity before religion is severely tested and he oscillates between steadfastness and deep despair.
Against the backdrop of emerging fissures in a new country and its people, Agg di Khed paints the picture of a city in turmoil and the unexpected heroes who rise from this catastrophe, its message as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1948.
July 21, 2024
What a great second part! This tale takes you on such a journey that helps you imagine Hindustan during partition. This story has a lot of character, setting, and mood building and at first I was impatient, but it is incredibly worth it as you continue to read. This also give a lot of context to the Islamophobia that is sadly persisting in India today. A lot of wounds are very fresh, and this text shows you the wounded flesh of India and Pakistan as it’s set in Punjab. The characters do a great job setting the emotions in their pensive moments, and the author made it their duty to provide the bridge of unity in the face of despair!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews