ज़िन्दगी आइस पाइस [Zindagi Aais Pais]

by Nikhil Sachan

Zindagi Aais Pais, a short story collection, is Nikhil's second book after the remarkable success of his debut book 'Namak Swadanusar'. In this book, Nikhil continues taking his readers along for a journey which try to solve the riddles of basic human existence - riddles of love, of childhood's lost and found, of relationships and of our day to day trials.

His characters vary from a gangster who chooses love over looting, a couple trying to steal their first kiss in a right-wing nightmare, children playing one-tip one-hand cricket to an early jobber trying to rise above his mundane job to an old man contemplating the purpose of life after getting replaced by technology.

Nikhil's characters are immensely relatable and his stories are his voice speaking out your own stories. This book reminds you of the smell of summer sunshine hitting garden leaves and takes you to back to a kinder gentler and simpler time.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, India

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

It might sound convenient to call Nikhil an engineer from IIT BHU or perhaps a management - graduate from IIM - Kozhikode. However, these days he is the Head of Marketing of a firm by 'Occupation' and a writer by 'Choice'. His childhood was spent in Kanpur and presently he lives in Gurgaon (Call it an occupational hazard). He has lived a few chapters of his life in the city of lights and God's own country too.

Nikhil's first book, 'Namak Swadanusar' was widely appreciated by both critics and readers. Rated as 'Remarkable Hindi Book of 2013' by BBC and 'Best Literary Minds' by Infibeam, Namak Swadanusar has been the talk of the town since its release in August 2013. Sachan has been interviewed by nearly every newspaper for the success of his book and has also been on National Television, he has also been regularly sought after to represent Hindi literature at lit-fests, which is quite rare for a young Hindi author.

Currently, Nikhil is ready with his next book, 'Zindagi Aais Pais', another short story collection. Even before it hits the shelves, it has been ranked as one of the most anticipated Hindi books of this year.

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me chuckling and smiling at many moments. Nostalgic. Guess 80s kids would find it appealing.
Overall it was fun and loved reading through this collection of short stories.

[Kamal Amrit · Rating 5 out of 5]

सौ बात की एक बात: "ज़िन्दगी आइस पाइस" इज अ फैंटासटिक बुक

"नमक स्वादानुसार" लिख कर लगभग हर डोमेन के लोगों को अन्दर तक रोमैंटिसाइज़ करने के बाद 'निखिल सचान' ने एक बार फिर मचा दिया है | हम सभी "नमक स्वादानुसार" के फैन रीडर्स निर्विरोध रूप से "ज़िन्दगी आइस पाइस" को पहले से बेहतर किताब घोषित करते हैं | मैं तो कुछ स्पेशल तरीके की कहानियों को अर्जुन के गांडीव से निकलने वाले बाणों की भांति मानता हूँ | कुछ स्पेशल कहानियां हमारे "क्रिटिकल थिंकिंग" के आगे आनजाने में जुड़ गए शब्द "hypo" और "hyper" को वेल बैलेंस्ड करके ऐसे "प्रीफिक्स" को गायब कर देती हैं, ठीक उसी तरह जैसे अर्जुन के गांडीव से निकलने वाले बाण अधर्मियों को गायब कर देते थे | हाँ, अगर "नमक स्वादानुसार" की 9 कहानियां, बिना मंत्र पढ़े चलाए गए बाण थे तो "ज़िन्दगी आइस पाइस" की 9 कहानियां मंत्र पढ़ कर के चलाये गए बाण हैं | आशा करता हूँ स्पेशल कहानियों के रूप में निखिल, आने वाले दिनों में दिव्य अस्त्र भी चलाएंगे, जैसे वायु अस्त्र, अग्नि अस्त्र, ब्रम्ह अस्त्र एक्सेक्ट्रा | लेकिन ये हर किताब में 9 कहानियां का हिसाब किताब बनाये रखे तो बेहतर होगा | बड़ी उम्मीद है निखिल सचान की कहानियों से | इनके कहानियों का मकसद बहुत ही उम्दा है |

मोटे तौर पे जो मकसद मुझे समझ आता है वो है:
1. "फ़ूड फॉर थॉट" प्रोवाइड करना | "व्हाट टू थिंक" ना समझा के "हाऊ टू थिंक" का मंत्र देना |
2. रीडर्स को कई अहम मुद्दों पर "चाइल्ड लाइक" बनने के लिए सेंसिटाईज़ करना जैसे पैशन वाले चाइल्ड लाइक ड्रीम्स |
3. साम-दाम दंड-भेद लगा कर रीडर्स को "ड्रीमर्स" के साथ साथ "अचिवर्स" बनाने के लिए मोटीवेट करना |

और इतना सब सिर्फ एक छुटकी सी प्यारी सी किताब में परोसना बेहतरीन है |

1. फिर एक परवाज - मकसद नंबर 2
2. विक्की मल्होत्रा का प्यार - मकसद नंबर 1
3. उन्नीस तियां सत्तावन - मकसद नंबर 2
4. बस्ती-बस्ती ढेर उदासी - मकसद नंबर 3
5. अटरिया पे लोटन कबूतर रे - मकसद नंबर 1 और 2
6. बलमवा तुम क्या जानो प्रीत - मकसद नंबर 1
7. क्यूट मोहर सिंह - मकसद नंबर 1
8. बिन पुंछ के टेडपोल - मकसद नंबर 1 और 2
9. कैनवस के जुटे और रातरानी के फुल - मकसद नंबर 1 और 2

और फिर किताब से कुछ चुनिन्दा लाइन्स शेयर कर रहा हूँ:
1. हर एक कैसेट में निन्यानबे हज़ार नौ सौ निन्यानबे गेम हुआ करते थे | मारियो, कॉन्ट्रा, रोडरैश, आइसनर, ओलंपिक और न जाने क्या क्या |
2. वो प्रिया को आज ऐसा सबक सीखना चाहते थे जिससे वो दोबारा उनकी संस्कृति और सभ्यता को खुले में गन्दा करने से पहले दस बार सोचे |
3. मैं पापा के वेस्पा स्कूटर की आवाज़ कितनी दूर से सुन लिया करता था |
4. "बेटा अच्छा हुआ तुमने अपना रायटर बनने का भुत उतार दिया | देखो आज तुम कहाँ पहुच गए हो |
5. "एक्सक्युज मी | यू आर पुनीत | राइट?"
6. 'लव एट फर्स्ट साईट' जैसा कुछ-कुछ तो उनके बीच भी हुआ था |
7. "जानू..प्लीज़ दरवाजा खोलो |"
8. घर पहुंचकर काजू माँ की बांहों में छिपकर फुट फुटकर रोया |
9. मैं सोच रही थी कि उन बच्चों के जुते पर रातरानी के फुल कौन बनाएगा?"
10. धप्पा कहने के लिए सुक्रिया | - आपका निखिल सचान

"ज़िन्दगी आइस पाइस" लिखने के लिए सुक्रिया | - कमल अमृत

[Ashutosh Rai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of disappointed after the first book. Didn't expect it to be a heavy read anyway, but didn't think it would be so easily forgettable either. I was able to connect to just a couple of stories (Unnees Tiya Sattawan and Basti Basti Dher Udaasi). Rest were just okay. Story-wise detailed review later. For now, would rate it lower than Namak Swadanusar. Repetitiveness is also one reason.

[Akash Tripathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kuchh Behtareen Kahaniyaan! Iskool ki yaad dila di!

[Pradyumn Gaurav · Rating 4 out of 5]

बनाव़ट और डीलडौल में तो निखिल भइया और सान्टा क्लाॅस इक्जै़क्ट अपोजिट आदमी हैं पर जब भी उनकी कहानियाँ पढ़ता हूँ तो बरबस ही सान्टा के बडे़ से झोले की याद आ जाती है। शहर की आपाधापी में भी गैजेट्स और कंक्रीट की मोटी काई को बड़ी मेहनत से खुरच खुरच कर निखिल कुछ चिकने गोल पत्थर अपने पिटारे से झटपट ढूँढ़ लाते हैं। वो पत्थर जो बचपन में हम कभी किसी रेती के ढेर में या टीन के बक्से में छिपाकर भूल गये थे।और आइसपाइस के खेल में कभी इस कोने तो कभी उस कोने छिपी ज़िन्दगी को बार बार हमें दिखाते रहते हैं।

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time, I could finish a book in one sitting. Had received it in the morning, started, and just could not resist completing it. What a lovely piece of Literature :)

[Swati Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it :)
Nothing more to say

[Shubham srivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine ye kitab padhi nahi suni hai, Audiobook achi cheej h aaj k bhagte jamane me jab sab ruk sa gya h. Aapka kitabein padhne me b man nahi lagta to earphones lagaiye aur bs kahaniya suniye. Is kitab me koi aisi kahani nahi thi jise kabhi dekha suna ya jiya na ho. Shayad kitab padhta to itti achi lagti b nahi pr audiobook me rat me lete hue kuch karte hue jb aap bhag rahe to kano me ye dekhi suni jee hui kahaniya sukun deti hain apni raftar ko thoda to maddhim karti hain. Mai is kitab k liye ise 3 star de rha pr narration k liye 4 kar rha. Kai bar lagta h k narrator neelesh mishra ji se inspire h pr kisi behtar se inspire hone me burai hi kya hai.

[E.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This "New Hindi" wave of writing is delightful - the language doesnt feel crass as in Bollywood nowadays ("Dedh Ishqiya" had to be screened with English subtitles), yet is not difficult for readers like me who have Hindi as their mother-tongue but find it difficult to read "shuddh" Sanskrit-based Hindi of authors like Acharya Chatursen.
I am not too fond of short-stories but this collection of 9 short stories was highly readable. While I found a couple of stories too bland, there were some good moments and I loved the last story which was the shortest.
Couldnt help compare with my fav "New Hindi" author Divya Prakash Dubey who has also written short stories which I liked much more.

[Saransh Chhabra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zindagi Aais Pais(ZAP) is the second collection of short stories by the Namak Swadanusar (NS) fame author Nikhil Sachan. Overall a good read but I found these stories surprisingly disappointing in so many ways.

Though the stories in his first book were a breeze of freshness and were pouring forth with life events of a common Indian born in the 90's, stories in ZAP fail to surprise the reader with narratives, stories and anecdotes very similar to the stories in NS. Though the style of writing and the plots remains interesting, but a lack of freshness is what lets the curiosity of a new read down.

A very important part that I found annoying was the consistent lack of synchronicity between the sub-plots mentioned in the stories. How can the author mention events unfolding in 2012-14 (Modi dreaming of becoming PM) and his protagonist dream about the Vicky Malhotra of a 1993 movie (Baazigar) simultaneously? Reader just can't place the time -frame of the story.

May be this review is too harsh on the author. You can put that down to the high expectations.

[Vaibhav Srivastav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikhil is a brilliant wordsmith. He grows leaps and bounds over an excellent debut collection of short stories by giving us this new collection - a game of aankh-michauli that we play with life and vice versa.

Nikhil effectively changes his narration style with the subject of the story, there are passages (like the ones in Vicky Malhotra ki Love Story) which hit you on the chest with a sledge hammer, and then there is the sequel to the delightful Nanu-Subbu story from Namak Swadanusar (Nanu-Subbu deserve a book of their own).

Nikhil writes about the going through hell parts of corporate life in the Urban Wasteland of Gurgaon, about how technology overtakes the human factor, and also about the innocence of love.

One of the many highlights of this book is his treatment of a Homosexual love story, without resorting to cliches.


Eagerly waiting for his third book

[Khizar Syed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the winds of the new age modern Hindi writers coming in the dilemma of Hindi literature. Nikhil Sachan is like Jhumpa Lahiri of Hindi. some of the story in the book is cliches but nikhil significantly used the signs for every story. Every story have their different aroma. The best part o Nikhil Sachan's writing is he reminds me of the old school slang language which we all forget in the lights of globalization. His stories have a brilliant structure and at no point of time you may not feel bored. even it excites me when I find some slangs which I haven't used for years. some stories are reminder of sheer childhood and pleasant to read.

[Ashutosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don't have any words to describe how beautiful this books is. Its a fresh breeze for Hindi Literature. The reason why people have lost connect with Hindi is because no one is writing stories about "us", "the people".

Nikhil, admidst all this, comes as someone who has a very strong hold on nostalgia, 90s, children, love, philosophy and existentialism. Having said that, his language is so beautiful and lucid, that reading him is always an experience. A ride for life time. Every paragraph is a painting.

A MUST READ !! Would recommend to everyone.

[Sumit Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for kids of 90s. Most of the things might be relevant today also. But it takes you deep inside nostalgia. After hard hitting namak swadanusar, a book that cherishes sweet and beautiful memories.

[Pritesh Pathak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. The nostalgia seems to be forced at times. Vicky Malhotra and Tum kya jaano preet have to be best of the collection.

[Nitin Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

After enjoying Nikhil Sachan's Up65, I had high hopes for Zindagi Aais Pais, but it left me with mixed feelings. While several stories are genuinely nostalgic and capture middle-class Indian life beautifully, the collection's biggest flaw is its brevity - just as you start connecting with the characters and getting invested in their journey, the chapter abruptly ends. It's frustrating to feel that emotional pull only to have it cut short before any real depth or resolution develops. The stories needed more room to breathe. Compared to Up65, which had better cohesiveness and emotional depth, this collection feels incomplete and less polished. It's an okay read that you can finish quickly and might appreciate in the moment, but it's not particularly memorable and doesn't quite live up to Sachan's earlier work. Worth a read if you're a fan, but manage your expectations.

[Ishan Taunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wonderfully captures the snapshots of middle class Indian lifestyle. It is full of nostalgia for readers of any age. At some point it is brutally honest, at others it just explores the bright side of any tragic situation. It brought me back from a reading exile of many years and has rejuvenated my passion for reading. The writing style makes you read the whole book in one go. It is a must read for any Indian millennial.

[Kunal Krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

मार्मिक, दिल को छू लेने वाली

कहानियों का बेहद शानदार संग्रह। निखिल भैया ने बहुत खूब रंगों में पिरोया है। एक एक कहानी आपके दिल की गहराई तक छू जाएगी। हर एक कहानी आपको कुछ ना कुछ सोचने पर मजबूर कर देगी और जिन्दगी की गहराइयों को बिल्कुल आईस पाईस के खेल की तरह धप्पा मार कर समझाने की अपनी कोशिश में कामयाब होती नज़र आएगी।

[Rishabh Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories. Mostly short stories of Indian Middle class life. Stories are form small city of India and of 90s.
Writer framed it in a good words and every middle class child can relate it from her/his life.
Some stories are like a cricket matches. Jealousy of seeing a great Cricket bat of your friend.
Jealousy of having a good friend circle due to someone have a costly game.

[Sneha Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

अमूमन ज़िंदगी की आपाधापी में इस तरह उलझ कर रह जाते हैं कि बचपन की यादों से या लड़कपन के क़िस्सों से रुबरू होने का वक़्त ही नहीं मिलता । ज़िंदगी आइस पाइस उसी बीते समय की याद दिलाती है।यह किताब महज़ छोटी छोटी कहाँनियों का संग्रह नहीं, बल्कि हमारी ज़िंदगी का हिस्सा सा है ।

[Ravish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read but not highly recommended

Collection of stories, most of which are of characters which we would have seen/met in our day to day life. One story on Homosexual affair is really bold one along with Cute Mohar Singh. Worth a read though not highly recommended

[Vikas Purohit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart touching stories

A collection of stories in which each story touches our heart...beautifully crafted..amazingly relatable to our life...very well described.. good book to read..

[Hari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diverse stories with different morals and messages by writer and too hooking that very much of binge read. this is my first book by Nikhil Sachan and I like the sarcasm in mid-ways which keep you hooked and some lines that also left a deep mark on heart.

[Vikram Prasad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anthology of short stories...mostly from real life experiences...liked the earlier work of author better than this

[Manu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An bold, new voice in Hindi literature
Reading hindi stories is sexy again :)

[Muskaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)
9 random little stories. I like random little stories!

[Ranjyoti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it's a good read.
My favourites from this book are "उन्नीस तियां सत्तावन", "बिन पुंछ के टेडपोल", "कैनवस के जुटे और रातरानी के फुल".

[Rahul Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely written.

[Gurpreet Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful and heartwarming stories. Book includes 9 stories and I loved each and everyone of them equally. Must read.

[Anchal Saksena · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was difficult to rate and review. Neither very good nor bad. I liked first two stories. But couldn't find anything to believe that it's a bestseller.