New Life: Selected Stories

by Vijaydan Detha

The daughter was too young and innocent to understand either her adolescence or her destiny. Having been brought up as a son for years, she now considered herself a man . . . She believed that she would grow a moustache when she got married.’ Folktales are the collective memories of people, handed down from one generation to another. But often, this process of handing down stops the evolution of these folktales. Vijai Dan Detha, one of India’s most iconic and iconoclastic writers, not only puts these mostly oral stories into words, he also weaves contemporary issues into them and gives them renewed relevance. His stories speak of alternative ways of life and, sometimes, they speak out for the most common victims of feudal societies—women. In ‘A New Life’, two women, Teeja and Beeja, are married to each other to satisfy the whim of an unbending father. They realize the mistake that they have been inadvertently forced into, but they also understand that this is the ideal union for them and, with the help of the ghost chieftain, build a new life for themselves. In ‘The Crow’s Way’ the selfishness of a husband, in-laws and other benefactors convinces a young wife that the only true human relationship is the one between a prostitute and her customer. ‘Discretion’ is the story of a she-jackal who is more virtuous than Sita but unwittingly cheats on her husband with the sun and the moon. The stories in New Life, many of them path-breaking in Indian writing, are refreshingly free of stereotypes. Detha’s deep understanding of human relationships and his matter-of-fact engagement with unconventional themes makes this an unforgettable collection.

206 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Khyati · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Life is a collection of 10 short stories based on the folktales of rural Rajasthan composed by Vijay Dan Detha.

Considering these are not documented anywhere but passed down orally, it is a challenge to present folktales with its originality intact. However, Bijji is a master in embellishing them with contemporary subjects yet retaining the essence of folktales. Most of these folktales revolve around women or women centric theme. The women of each story have dialect and mannerism of the state yet their thoughts and approach towards life is contemporary.

In “The Slough” and “The Dilemma”, we see them coming out of their apprehensions, in “New Life” both Beeja & Teeja re-invent themselves from forced child marriage, “Discretion” gives a new meaning of feminine lust and “To Each His Own Morality” speaks of female ambition and greed whereas we learn about the extent of a women’s patience in “Kabeer”. Though they are bound by the tradition but neither is weak nor shy of employing wit, tantrums and trickery to win over others. The book is a critical take on the diabolical system of social justice wrapped in the archaic world of folk and fairy tales.

Apart from women, Nature too is an important part of the whimsical world of Bijji’s stories. The vast desert, barren land and bushes become the form of expression and a constant companion the protagonists deserves.

The length of stories- Kabeer, The Queen of the Night’s Anger & The Dilemma is my only concern because i was left wanting for more, in terms of content of the stories.

The translators, in this case three – Mridul Bhasin (Hindi to English), Kailash Kabeer (Rajasthani to Hindi) and Vandana R. Singh have seized the grace and character of the Rajasthani culture in a way that it didn’t feel rushed. Their critique has yielded into an exotic and provocative translation of Bijji’s work.

[Apurva Takle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are facts about oppression of women which make you shameful about humanity. But what Vijaydan Detha brings out are their stories, so delicately woven in the social milieu and traditions that it paints a vivid picture in your head. But don't mistake them to be stories only pertaining to that region or time, because they are relevant even today and I suspect globally. The writer brings out the price women end up paying for being women. He explores various roles and situations and how rules are different for men and women. Eventually you realise it is not just about women it is more about oppression in general, the strong reigning over the weak. How power can disregard the feelings or even the identity of the less powerful. The stories have magic, ghosts, flights of fancies but most importantly the stories have heart. And that's why one should read them.

[Tripti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable collection of folk stories of Rajasthan retold. These stories break the misguided myth that folk tales are somehow tales of an uncomplicated past full of wisdom and insight. These stories goad you trouble you and force you to address gender issues in a way very few writings are able to do.