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Tiger Woman
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- GenresHistorical Fiction
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 23, 2019
Set from the 1880s to 1920 from Calcutta to the small towns and villages of a united Bengal, iger Woman traces the journey of Priyanath Bose who is considered to be one of the pioneers of circus in India when in 1887, he founded the Great Bengal Circus with an all-Indian team.
The narrative is a fascinating account of the many trails and tribulations that Bose had to face to set up the first Indian Circus starting from the lack of family support for his venture to the way he had to seek out people he could work with. This is historical fiction at its best with the way fact and fiction has been entwined: additionally, the ambience of the time period in the description of the roads and means of transport, the bonding of community people during those times wherein the people of a village come together to feed the circus troupe all add flavour to the narrative style.
My only grouse is that Tiger Woman sounds almost misleading given that we do not get to know much of Sushila Sundari, the first Indian woman to perform in a circus and who earned fame for her act with two huge tigers. I would have definitely loved to read more of Sushila’s thoughts and discover her character graph. I will recommend this book to people who love historical fiction. This one will take you an unknown history of the advent of circus in India as a symbol of nationalism and patriotism.
Thank you @panmacmillanindia for the review copy #gift
Am rating this at 3.75 stars out of five!
The narrative is a fascinating account of the many trails and tribulations that Bose had to face to set up the first Indian Circus starting from the lack of family support for his venture to the way he had to seek out people he could work with. This is historical fiction at its best with the way fact and fiction has been entwined: additionally, the ambience of the time period in the description of the roads and means of transport, the bonding of community people during those times wherein the people of a village come together to feed the circus troupe all add flavour to the narrative style.
My only grouse is that Tiger Woman sounds almost misleading given that we do not get to know much of Sushila Sundari, the first Indian woman to perform in a circus and who earned fame for her act with two huge tigers. I would have definitely loved to read more of Sushila’s thoughts and discover her character graph. I will recommend this book to people who love historical fiction. This one will take you an unknown history of the advent of circus in India as a symbol of nationalism and patriotism.
Thank you @panmacmillanindia for the review copy #gift
Am rating this at 3.75 stars out of five!
May 30, 2019
Tiger Woman by Sirsho Bandopadhyay translated from Bengali to English (amazingly done) by Arunava Sinha is set in the 19th century undivided Bengal where people are struggling to follow their dreams and aspirations against what they are desired of.
Priyanath Bose born in a well off family was always into acrobats and the idea of an all Bengali circus was what drove him all his life.
The book starts with his death and takes us back to the start of his journey.
His father was against it and thought very low of this aspect of performing arts. Although he did encourage him to take art lessons otherwise.
The people around him influenced him in a way to pursue his dream. One such person was his father's friend, Nabagopal. He started a circus in a small tent but it failed miserably. Nabagopal could only encourage and motivate Priyanath to be fearless.
We later see a group of gymnasts lead by Priyanath leave their city and travel around villages performing and earning whatever they could. Soon they became the talk of every town!
But at what cost?
Amongst all this, Priyanath comes across two sisters, orphaned, full of zeal and passion who he takes along himself on this journey. The elder one sets out to become the first Indian woman to perform with Tigers in a circus, and someone who gave Priyanath another reason to be guilty
•
This book basically talks about the struggle of a certain section of our society trying to make a name for themselves. An all Bengali circus at the time of British Raj was a big deal and brought a sense of individuality and independence in the people. That was the aim of Priyanath too.
But what I couldn't get around was the title. This story was not about the woman in question. This was Priyanath's story.
And that's where my conflict is. I loved the story and depth. Kudos to Arunava Sinha for the amazing translation that kept me in the feel of the story.
But I found the title unfitting. I don't see the Tiger Woman as much. She is only in 20% of the book. I was expecting (from the title & the blurb) that the story would be about Sushila and her journey of becoming the Tiger Woman. But she is a side character.
This was for me though, you might feel differently about it.
Nevertheless, I love the plot and the entire feel of the book.
Priyanath Bose born in a well off family was always into acrobats and the idea of an all Bengali circus was what drove him all his life.
The book starts with his death and takes us back to the start of his journey.
His father was against it and thought very low of this aspect of performing arts. Although he did encourage him to take art lessons otherwise.
The people around him influenced him in a way to pursue his dream. One such person was his father's friend, Nabagopal. He started a circus in a small tent but it failed miserably. Nabagopal could only encourage and motivate Priyanath to be fearless.
We later see a group of gymnasts lead by Priyanath leave their city and travel around villages performing and earning whatever they could. Soon they became the talk of every town!
But at what cost?
Amongst all this, Priyanath comes across two sisters, orphaned, full of zeal and passion who he takes along himself on this journey. The elder one sets out to become the first Indian woman to perform with Tigers in a circus, and someone who gave Priyanath another reason to be guilty
•
This book basically talks about the struggle of a certain section of our society trying to make a name for themselves. An all Bengali circus at the time of British Raj was a big deal and brought a sense of individuality and independence in the people. That was the aim of Priyanath too.
But what I couldn't get around was the title. This story was not about the woman in question. This was Priyanath's story.
And that's where my conflict is. I loved the story and depth. Kudos to Arunava Sinha for the amazing translation that kept me in the feel of the story.
But I found the title unfitting. I don't see the Tiger Woman as much. She is only in 20% of the book. I was expecting (from the title & the blurb) that the story would be about Sushila and her journey of becoming the Tiger Woman. But she is a side character.
This was for me though, you might feel differently about it.
Nevertheless, I love the plot and the entire feel of the book.
Read
February 13, 2019A wonderful piece of historical fiction. Set in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century Bengal, it tells the story of the first Indian attempts at running a circus that was wholly owned and performed by Indians, especially Bengali gymnasts, trapeze artists and animal trainers.
February 14, 2019
My Rating : 🌟🌟🌟🌟.8/5
My Review : I have always been awed by the people of Bengal for their nationalist spirit and their fight and struggle in the independence of India.And this translated work of Shrisho Bandopadhyay, has even added to my respect for the people of Calcutta as a whole.
Set in the late 19th Century and early 20th century, Calcutta this piece of historical fiction sketches the emergence of circus in Calcutta.
The seeds of nationalism that started sprouting with the Revolt of 1857 and thereafter was inspiration for Priyanath Bose,to establish his own GREAT BENGAL CIRCUS.
Added to this, he drew inspiration from the Marathis, the pioneer of circus in India and Nabagopal who established the National Circus.
But without the distraction that try to subvert us, devotion can never be complete.
Even though Tiger Woman was a translated work, it didn't in anyway deemed to convey the story to me. The characterization was rich and no other character felt alien to me. In everybit realistic, I admired the character of Priyanath, and how understanding and strong he was.
The way to his success was filled with monotonous failures and the fact that he had to shoulder all the difficulties alone definitely made me sympathize with him. The hardships he had to face to start the circus and keep it running was enough for me to give him the tag of a "national fighter"
Other co-characters such as Nabagopal,Badal, Sushila and others were also likeable and the author made sure everyone had their own share of spotlight.
I especially loved how the author penned the scene of the effect of Bengal Partition and I had goosebumps even by reading it.
The audience responded in a spontaneous chorus "Bande Mataram". Not once but again and again. The cries from hundreds of voices spread outside the precincts of the Great Bengal Circus, striking at the walls of Fort William.
I however am a wee bit disappointed with the title as Sushila or The Tiger Woman, who I thought would be the main character unfortunately wasn't present for a huge chunk of the book.
The author however, doesn't fail to represent the feminine side of the early circus days of India with the likes of Kumudini and Sushila and Kusum who played distinctive roles.
Ganapati,however was what we call a male chauvinist and all the way whimsical and didn't tend to impress me.
Anandamohini,the betrayed sister in law of Priyanath on the other hand was another character that I thought deserved closure.
All in all, TIGER WOMAN written by Shrisho Bandopadhyay and translated by Arunava Sinha is one book that will definitely linger in my heart for quite sometime.
My Review : I have always been awed by the people of Bengal for their nationalist spirit and their fight and struggle in the independence of India.And this translated work of Shrisho Bandopadhyay, has even added to my respect for the people of Calcutta as a whole.
Set in the late 19th Century and early 20th century, Calcutta this piece of historical fiction sketches the emergence of circus in Calcutta.
The seeds of nationalism that started sprouting with the Revolt of 1857 and thereafter was inspiration for Priyanath Bose,to establish his own GREAT BENGAL CIRCUS.
Added to this, he drew inspiration from the Marathis, the pioneer of circus in India and Nabagopal who established the National Circus.
But without the distraction that try to subvert us, devotion can never be complete.
Even though Tiger Woman was a translated work, it didn't in anyway deemed to convey the story to me. The characterization was rich and no other character felt alien to me. In everybit realistic, I admired the character of Priyanath, and how understanding and strong he was.
The way to his success was filled with monotonous failures and the fact that he had to shoulder all the difficulties alone definitely made me sympathize with him. The hardships he had to face to start the circus and keep it running was enough for me to give him the tag of a "national fighter"
Other co-characters such as Nabagopal,Badal, Sushila and others were also likeable and the author made sure everyone had their own share of spotlight.
I especially loved how the author penned the scene of the effect of Bengal Partition and I had goosebumps even by reading it.
The audience responded in a spontaneous chorus "Bande Mataram". Not once but again and again. The cries from hundreds of voices spread outside the precincts of the Great Bengal Circus, striking at the walls of Fort William.
I however am a wee bit disappointed with the title as Sushila or The Tiger Woman, who I thought would be the main character unfortunately wasn't present for a huge chunk of the book.
The author however, doesn't fail to represent the feminine side of the early circus days of India with the likes of Kumudini and Sushila and Kusum who played distinctive roles.
Ganapati,however was what we call a male chauvinist and all the way whimsical and didn't tend to impress me.
Anandamohini,the betrayed sister in law of Priyanath on the other hand was another character that I thought deserved closure.
All in all, TIGER WOMAN written by Shrisho Bandopadhyay and translated by Arunava Sinha is one book that will definitely linger in my heart for quite sometime.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews