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Red Maize
'A compelling story that paints a troubled land in magical colours' - Anees Salim
'Under the shadow of guns, a terrible beauty is born beside the fields of ripe maize and the gurgling mountain streams ...
Red Maize chronicles the human tragedy that lies at the heart of the Kashmir conflict' - Rakhshanda Jalil
'A gripping novel on the dark days of militancy - blood and cordite, the overhang of terror and the sorrow of mothers' - Keki N. Daruwalla
The old, who had seen peaceful times, rightly predicted, 'So much blood will seep through our land that someday we will have red kernels of maize instead of yellow. The day is not far when the hills will start to grow red maize, season after season.'
As gun-toting militants of the Tanzeem swarm the hills of Morha Madana by the river Chenab, the joys of the harvesting season leach out of that once-idyllic village. Terrorists take over in the name of azadi, commanding, in equal measure, respect and fear from the villagers.
Drawn by their call to jihad, Shakeel, second of the widow Kausar Jan's three sons, becomes Morha Madana's first mujahid - and, soon enough, the Tanzeem's dreaded area commander. Back in the Indian Army camp in the village, Major Rathore decides that Shakeel's decimation is his ticket back to a peace station and an impending marriage that awaits him in Jaipur. And Kausar Jan, like Kashmir itself, is caught in the crossfire between the militants and the army, even as the maize crops in her backyard are stained with the blood of her sons.
Red Maize is a searing chronicle of the relentless siege of Kashmir, of the human cost of war, and of a way of life, forever lost.
'Under the shadow of guns, a terrible beauty is born beside the fields of ripe maize and the gurgling mountain streams ...
Red Maize chronicles the human tragedy that lies at the heart of the Kashmir conflict' - Rakhshanda Jalil
'A gripping novel on the dark days of militancy - blood and cordite, the overhang of terror and the sorrow of mothers' - Keki N. Daruwalla
The old, who had seen peaceful times, rightly predicted, 'So much blood will seep through our land that someday we will have red kernels of maize instead of yellow. The day is not far when the hills will start to grow red maize, season after season.'
As gun-toting militants of the Tanzeem swarm the hills of Morha Madana by the river Chenab, the joys of the harvesting season leach out of that once-idyllic village. Terrorists take over in the name of azadi, commanding, in equal measure, respect and fear from the villagers.
Drawn by their call to jihad, Shakeel, second of the widow Kausar Jan's three sons, becomes Morha Madana's first mujahid - and, soon enough, the Tanzeem's dreaded area commander. Back in the Indian Army camp in the village, Major Rathore decides that Shakeel's decimation is his ticket back to a peace station and an impending marriage that awaits him in Jaipur. And Kausar Jan, like Kashmir itself, is caught in the crossfire between the militants and the army, even as the maize crops in her backyard are stained with the blood of her sons.
Red Maize is a searing chronicle of the relentless siege of Kashmir, of the human cost of war, and of a way of life, forever lost.
280 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2015
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November 16, 2017
“Terrorism has nothing to do with religion, Islam or otherwise. Terrorism is born of fundamentalism not of religion.”
----Abhijit Naskar
Danesh Rana, an Indian Police Service officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, has penned a vividly compelling tale about Jammu and not Kashmir, the metaphor of this heavenly paradise and its ever growing militants, which we rarely hear of from the hills of Jammu, in his debut book called, Red Maize. This book narrates the tale of three Muslim brothers and their headstrong and brave mother set across the idyllic mountainous landscape of Jammu, where the middle brother joins his hands with the militants to free his land from the Indian Armed Forces, caught between the crossfires of the jihads and the Indian Armed Forces are the innocent people of the land.
Synopsis:
The old, who had seen peaceful times, rightly predicted, 'So much blood will seep through our land that someday we will have red kernels of maize instead of yellow. The day is not far when the hills will start to grow red maize, season after season.' As gun-toting militants of the Tanzeem swarm the hills of Morha Madana by the river Chenab, the joys of the harvesting season leach out of that once-idyllic village. Terrorists take over in the name of azadi, commanding, in equal measure, respect and fear from the villagers. Drawn by their call to jihad, Shakeel, second of the widow Kausar Jan's three sons, becomes Morha Madana's first mujaheddin - and, soon enough, the Tanzeem's dreaded area commander. Back in the Indian Army camp in the village, Major Rathore decides that Shakeel's decimation is his ticket back to a peace station and an impending marriage that awaits him in Jaipur. And Kausar Jan, like Kashmir itself, is caught in the crossfire between the militants and the army, even as the maize crops in her backyard are stained with the blood of her sons. Red Maize is a searing chronicle of the relentless siege of Kashmir, of the human cost of war, and of a way of life, forever lost.
Where the maize crops grow by the side of the river Chenab and surrounded by the hills of Morha Madana in the Tanzeem district of Jammu, a lonely widowed mother raises up her three sons with courage and compassion. Sadly the onset of jihad and azaadi (freedom struggle) movement have claimed her middle son, who becomes the frightening area commander of the district. Kausar Jan, the mother, has no choice but to accept the fate of her middle son, as she became the mother of a jihad, which is considered to be most sacred in the name of their religion. Then came along, Major Rathore from Indian Army, whose only aim is to catch the most wanted terrorist of the area and that is, Kausar Jan's middle son. Although the elder son isn't interested in the call to jihad or in azaadi, rather than providing comfort to his elderly mother and taking care of his younger brother, who is still at school, yet Major Rathore uses Kausar Jan's youngest son as a bait for his own sole purpose to catch the terrorist and finally to safely return back to his normal life in Jaipur. But who knew, one-by-one, Kausar Jan would sacrifice her sons in the name of religion and anti-terror movements. Just like Kausar Jan, many Kashmiri women, be it mother or daughter or wife, all turn into half mother/half widow, by losing their better halves or sons or fathers to this war of azaadi, without a clue on whether they are either alive or dead.
The author, Danesh Rana, is no-doubt a master story-teller and a skillful writer, who divinely crafted this tale along with the beauty of Kashmir. His carefully chosen exquisite words have turned this novel into a delectable read. The narrative is highly engaging and articulate as well as evocative enough to make the readers feel the plight of each and every important characters from the book. The emotions play a major role in this book, as the author has let it flow like the uninhibited and free-flowing Chenab River throughout the course of his tale. The prose is elegant and lyrical enough for the readers to lose themselves in the soul touching melody of Kashmir.
The characters are all so flawlessly contrived, and it is quite evident that the author has quite a strong psychological grip on these exquisitely crafted characters of his, which are bound to leave an impression on the readers' minds. Firstly, Kausar Jan, the primary character is depicted as a courageous mother with no options but to love fiercely even though sometimes that love becomes quite tough to endure and an extremely hopeful mother, whose journey from being a mother to a jihad to a mother to a policeman to a mother to a lose son to a mother with no sons will strongly appeal to one and all. And the more one read about her, the more he/she will fall for her. We will get a taste of each character's demeanor and inner-self, with the help of their personal stories and fights.
Jammu & Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes, history, religion, and its extremism, patriotism, fight for freedom and tales of jihad movement rising will keep the readers on their edges and all throughout this ordeal of a lonesome mother, the readers will lose themselves into the beauty of the heavenly paradise on Earth, both eagerly and hauntingly.
Terrorism is not a social issue, it is a war that is being fought everyday in the borders of our country, India, and those brave souls who either fight or experience this raging war right before their own eyes, can recount those horrifying event quite aptly. Similarly, the author too, have honestly penned this story, unlike so many local Kashmiri or non Kashmiri-authors trying to force feed the readers with their opinions through the stories they pen about Kashmir and its war against terrorism. I would strongly recommend this book to those who want to experience the real story behind Kashmir to read this book by Danesh Rana. Even though, the book didn't create much uproar or isn't that hyped by media or bloggers, I would still treasure this book as one of the best books based on Jammu & Kashmir.
Verdict: A heart-breaking and a thoroughly honest tale about Jammu & Kashmir.
----Abhijit Naskar
Danesh Rana, an Indian Police Service officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, has penned a vividly compelling tale about Jammu and not Kashmir, the metaphor of this heavenly paradise and its ever growing militants, which we rarely hear of from the hills of Jammu, in his debut book called, Red Maize. This book narrates the tale of three Muslim brothers and their headstrong and brave mother set across the idyllic mountainous landscape of Jammu, where the middle brother joins his hands with the militants to free his land from the Indian Armed Forces, caught between the crossfires of the jihads and the Indian Armed Forces are the innocent people of the land.
Synopsis:
The old, who had seen peaceful times, rightly predicted, 'So much blood will seep through our land that someday we will have red kernels of maize instead of yellow. The day is not far when the hills will start to grow red maize, season after season.' As gun-toting militants of the Tanzeem swarm the hills of Morha Madana by the river Chenab, the joys of the harvesting season leach out of that once-idyllic village. Terrorists take over in the name of azadi, commanding, in equal measure, respect and fear from the villagers. Drawn by their call to jihad, Shakeel, second of the widow Kausar Jan's three sons, becomes Morha Madana's first mujaheddin - and, soon enough, the Tanzeem's dreaded area commander. Back in the Indian Army camp in the village, Major Rathore decides that Shakeel's decimation is his ticket back to a peace station and an impending marriage that awaits him in Jaipur. And Kausar Jan, like Kashmir itself, is caught in the crossfire between the militants and the army, even as the maize crops in her backyard are stained with the blood of her sons. Red Maize is a searing chronicle of the relentless siege of Kashmir, of the human cost of war, and of a way of life, forever lost.
Where the maize crops grow by the side of the river Chenab and surrounded by the hills of Morha Madana in the Tanzeem district of Jammu, a lonely widowed mother raises up her three sons with courage and compassion. Sadly the onset of jihad and azaadi (freedom struggle) movement have claimed her middle son, who becomes the frightening area commander of the district. Kausar Jan, the mother, has no choice but to accept the fate of her middle son, as she became the mother of a jihad, which is considered to be most sacred in the name of their religion. Then came along, Major Rathore from Indian Army, whose only aim is to catch the most wanted terrorist of the area and that is, Kausar Jan's middle son. Although the elder son isn't interested in the call to jihad or in azaadi, rather than providing comfort to his elderly mother and taking care of his younger brother, who is still at school, yet Major Rathore uses Kausar Jan's youngest son as a bait for his own sole purpose to catch the terrorist and finally to safely return back to his normal life in Jaipur. But who knew, one-by-one, Kausar Jan would sacrifice her sons in the name of religion and anti-terror movements. Just like Kausar Jan, many Kashmiri women, be it mother or daughter or wife, all turn into half mother/half widow, by losing their better halves or sons or fathers to this war of azaadi, without a clue on whether they are either alive or dead.
The author, Danesh Rana, is no-doubt a master story-teller and a skillful writer, who divinely crafted this tale along with the beauty of Kashmir. His carefully chosen exquisite words have turned this novel into a delectable read. The narrative is highly engaging and articulate as well as evocative enough to make the readers feel the plight of each and every important characters from the book. The emotions play a major role in this book, as the author has let it flow like the uninhibited and free-flowing Chenab River throughout the course of his tale. The prose is elegant and lyrical enough for the readers to lose themselves in the soul touching melody of Kashmir.
The characters are all so flawlessly contrived, and it is quite evident that the author has quite a strong psychological grip on these exquisitely crafted characters of his, which are bound to leave an impression on the readers' minds. Firstly, Kausar Jan, the primary character is depicted as a courageous mother with no options but to love fiercely even though sometimes that love becomes quite tough to endure and an extremely hopeful mother, whose journey from being a mother to a jihad to a mother to a policeman to a mother to a lose son to a mother with no sons will strongly appeal to one and all. And the more one read about her, the more he/she will fall for her. We will get a taste of each character's demeanor and inner-self, with the help of their personal stories and fights.
Jammu & Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes, history, religion, and its extremism, patriotism, fight for freedom and tales of jihad movement rising will keep the readers on their edges and all throughout this ordeal of a lonesome mother, the readers will lose themselves into the beauty of the heavenly paradise on Earth, both eagerly and hauntingly.
Terrorism is not a social issue, it is a war that is being fought everyday in the borders of our country, India, and those brave souls who either fight or experience this raging war right before their own eyes, can recount those horrifying event quite aptly. Similarly, the author too, have honestly penned this story, unlike so many local Kashmiri or non Kashmiri-authors trying to force feed the readers with their opinions through the stories they pen about Kashmir and its war against terrorism. I would strongly recommend this book to those who want to experience the real story behind Kashmir to read this book by Danesh Rana. Even though, the book didn't create much uproar or isn't that hyped by media or bloggers, I would still treasure this book as one of the best books based on Jammu & Kashmir.
Verdict: A heart-breaking and a thoroughly honest tale about Jammu & Kashmir.
May 26, 2016
"The day is not far when the hills will start to grow red maize, season after season"
When two elephants fight in the jungle, the grass is crushed and torn off under their foot. Red Maize by Danesh Rana is another impeccable story of Kashmir, where you find yourself in the middle of the cat and mouse games of militants and Armed Forces of India, and in the middle of all the blood and gore, the Public of Kashmir. Who only want their maize, their beautiful Kashmir back. For people who haven't experienced Kashmir, this might be just a regular piece of fiction, but for those who have witnessed Kashmir, Red Maize is an important book to understand the other side of Kashmir, the Public Side.
Red Maize is set in the hills of Morha Madana by the river Chenab, where gun-toting militants of the Tanzeem have started to set their foot, crushing the joys of the harvesting season of Maize in the once-idyllic village. In the name of Azaadi, militants start commanding fear and respect from villagers. And both the things are not defined, open to use in the way they like.
Shakeel, the second son of widow Kausar Jan, drifts towards joining the call of Jihaad, to free Kashmir from Kafirs. And soon, turns into the dreaded area commander. Back in the Indian Army Camp, Major Rathore thinks that Shakeel is his ticket to transfer out to his native place in Jaipur where marriage and a normal life awaits him. To catch Shakeel, Major Rathore leaves no stone upturned, which ultimately leads to the death of innocent people, and making of another militant to join Tanzeem, Shakeel's brother, Khalid aka Khalid Langda.
And in the middle of everything, Kausar Jan, like Kashmir itself is caught in the crossfire between militants and the Army. Day by day dreaming of her maize crop, which turns into red maize, soaked in the blood of her family and other innocent lives.
A searing chronicle, Red Maize has been told in a very simple language. It's to the point, but what strikes out is the another side of Kashmir that many of us ignore. For us, Kashmir is only about Army, militants, Pakistan, and religion. But for villagers of Morha Madana, it is about their daughters being forced to sleep with militants in the name of Allah, local boys being picked up from their homes and tortured in dingy cells even when they are not remotely connected to any militant activity. You come across villagers who are being forced to give up their possessions in the name of Allah, and sometimes to prove their patriotism to the Army. You meet young boys being brainwashed, their eyes shining when they see Kalashnikov and other ammunition.
Red Maize also makes you witness the plight of a militant family. How they are tortured, insulted even when they have given up on their children who have gone to the other side. It's like tug of war from them, one end with Army and another end with Militants, both trying to establish their kind of patriotism in their hearts. And when the game ends, either the family doesn't survive or a new militant is born in the family.
Red Maize is a book that will keep you engrossed until the end. The cat and mouse game is engaging for your senses, leaving you asking for more and trying to guess what will happen next. Though the book would have really used some editing in terms of language. For someone like me who has read quite a handful of books on Kashmir, I can point out mistakes like Fatiah is spelled as Fatiha and plural form of Mujahid is Mujahiden. But then these copy editing mistakes are something that you won't remember when you will be so lost in the streets of Morha Madana.
All in all, Red Maize is a book that you should definitely read, to understand the human cost of war, and of a way of life, forever lost.
When two elephants fight in the jungle, the grass is crushed and torn off under their foot. Red Maize by Danesh Rana is another impeccable story of Kashmir, where you find yourself in the middle of the cat and mouse games of militants and Armed Forces of India, and in the middle of all the blood and gore, the Public of Kashmir. Who only want their maize, their beautiful Kashmir back. For people who haven't experienced Kashmir, this might be just a regular piece of fiction, but for those who have witnessed Kashmir, Red Maize is an important book to understand the other side of Kashmir, the Public Side.
Red Maize is set in the hills of Morha Madana by the river Chenab, where gun-toting militants of the Tanzeem have started to set their foot, crushing the joys of the harvesting season of Maize in the once-idyllic village. In the name of Azaadi, militants start commanding fear and respect from villagers. And both the things are not defined, open to use in the way they like.
Shakeel, the second son of widow Kausar Jan, drifts towards joining the call of Jihaad, to free Kashmir from Kafirs. And soon, turns into the dreaded area commander. Back in the Indian Army Camp, Major Rathore thinks that Shakeel is his ticket to transfer out to his native place in Jaipur where marriage and a normal life awaits him. To catch Shakeel, Major Rathore leaves no stone upturned, which ultimately leads to the death of innocent people, and making of another militant to join Tanzeem, Shakeel's brother, Khalid aka Khalid Langda.
And in the middle of everything, Kausar Jan, like Kashmir itself is caught in the crossfire between militants and the Army. Day by day dreaming of her maize crop, which turns into red maize, soaked in the blood of her family and other innocent lives.
A searing chronicle, Red Maize has been told in a very simple language. It's to the point, but what strikes out is the another side of Kashmir that many of us ignore. For us, Kashmir is only about Army, militants, Pakistan, and religion. But for villagers of Morha Madana, it is about their daughters being forced to sleep with militants in the name of Allah, local boys being picked up from their homes and tortured in dingy cells even when they are not remotely connected to any militant activity. You come across villagers who are being forced to give up their possessions in the name of Allah, and sometimes to prove their patriotism to the Army. You meet young boys being brainwashed, their eyes shining when they see Kalashnikov and other ammunition.
Red Maize also makes you witness the plight of a militant family. How they are tortured, insulted even when they have given up on their children who have gone to the other side. It's like tug of war from them, one end with Army and another end with Militants, both trying to establish their kind of patriotism in their hearts. And when the game ends, either the family doesn't survive or a new militant is born in the family.
Red Maize is a book that will keep you engrossed until the end. The cat and mouse game is engaging for your senses, leaving you asking for more and trying to guess what will happen next. Though the book would have really used some editing in terms of language. For someone like me who has read quite a handful of books on Kashmir, I can point out mistakes like Fatiah is spelled as Fatiha and plural form of Mujahid is Mujahiden. But then these copy editing mistakes are something that you won't remember when you will be so lost in the streets of Morha Madana.
All in all, Red Maize is a book that you should definitely read, to understand the human cost of war, and of a way of life, forever lost.
January 11, 2016
A well written,sensitive account.Highly readable.
October 7, 2019
The author, have been closely accosciated with the struggle in valley for a long time and obviously he knows every acpect and understands prespective of everyone associated with the Valley, but trying to mention or weave a sturdy around those baselines is what author has tried in this book.
September 18, 2021
Barefaced lies. The novelist is quite good at being a chamcha of Indian establishment, unable to differentiate between local insurgents and pakistan-sponsored terrorism. I feel so sorry for him given the fact that he must have got a lot of money for it like the corrupt sardar, the betrayer, and others.
July 1, 2020
U will start to understand the feeling of people involved on both sides of this never ending tussle.
May 23, 2022
A gripping tale bro, the struggle.
July 14, 2016
Red Maize by Danesh Rana
The author, Danesh Rana, an officer of the Indian Police, having been posted in Kashmir with firsthand experience of observing the life of locals; their wards induction in the terror groups, their torture by army has described the present situation in villages of Kashmir through a true - to - life story of the family of Kausar Jan, a widow, mother of three sons, their life and loss of life.
For locals they are mujahedin fighting for the independence of their land and free it from atrocities of army while for army they are terrorists/ militants, trained in Pakistan and owe their loyalty to Pakistanis.
Maize, the most important crop of the region generates money for the villagers, acts as a cover and allegedly provides stamina to the mujahidin to clime the hills that solders fail to do.
The story is set in a pristine village with beautiful hills and small brooks where people hate army and do not want mujahidin.
The eldest innocent son is often beaten, tortured and cajoled to act as informer, repeated threats by army leads him to the doorsteps of jihadists.
The middle one, is allured by militants and trained to be the area commander of a mujahedin group. He is the most wanted person his head can bring reward to an army officer, for that he can go to any extent torturing and bribing the residents of the village.
The youngest, a school going kid is enlisted in the Indian army where he is ill-treated and finds himself to be misfit. His most agonising moment comes when he is forced to torture his own mates from school. He is sacrifices so that the army officer claims to complete his assignment and can move to his new posting near his home in Rajasthan and get married.
The author, Danesh Rana, an officer of the Indian Police, having been posted in Kashmir with firsthand experience of observing the life of locals; their wards induction in the terror groups, their torture by army has described the present situation in villages of Kashmir through a true - to - life story of the family of Kausar Jan, a widow, mother of three sons, their life and loss of life.
For locals they are mujahedin fighting for the independence of their land and free it from atrocities of army while for army they are terrorists/ militants, trained in Pakistan and owe their loyalty to Pakistanis.
Maize, the most important crop of the region generates money for the villagers, acts as a cover and allegedly provides stamina to the mujahidin to clime the hills that solders fail to do.
The story is set in a pristine village with beautiful hills and small brooks where people hate army and do not want mujahidin.
The eldest innocent son is often beaten, tortured and cajoled to act as informer, repeated threats by army leads him to the doorsteps of jihadists.
The middle one, is allured by militants and trained to be the area commander of a mujahedin group. He is the most wanted person his head can bring reward to an army officer, for that he can go to any extent torturing and bribing the residents of the village.
The youngest, a school going kid is enlisted in the Indian army where he is ill-treated and finds himself to be misfit. His most agonising moment comes when he is forced to torture his own mates from school. He is sacrifices so that the army officer claims to complete his assignment and can move to his new posting near his home in Rajasthan and get married.
February 16, 2016
Mørk og nyansert roman om konflikten i Jammu og Kashmir, sett både fra mujahedins og regjeringsstyrkenes side. Meget lesverdig.
June 3, 2018
Savage, brutal, gut-wrenching. An astonishing debut.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews