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Baanjh: Incomplete Lives of Complete Women
Eleven hard-hitting stories gathered from the observations of a seasoned actress, Susmita Mukherjee, who has portrayed many strong characters, and observed much across the country. Baanjh—incomplete lives of complete women, a collection of short stories based on the authors observations, takes you on a journey into the world of women from the society fringes as well as the high echelons—with entitled husbands and regressive labels; with high-power jobs and insecurities; with obsessions and mental issues; with open views on marriage and divorce; with oppressive employers driving them to the hilt; where lines of morality blur between the girlfriend and the wife. Susmita makes you gasp, ponder, empathise and look at life like never before. The stories reiterate the fact that a woman’s worth is much more than just the labels that the society bestows on her.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 20, 2021
This review is taken from my IG account @descanto
बांझ Baanjh (adj)
= Someone who is infertile is unable to produce babies.
Baanjh is a collection of eleven stories. The stories circle around the similar line about women from different backgrounds: religious women, a sly woman, a woman who makes a living from the sperm-soaked business, a lonely rich woman and some more. These women carry a particular role in life and people may see them as an imperfect creature. Yet they also lead the readers to see a glimpse of the Indian roots and uncover the masculine domination which has already rooted in that particular culture.
A Piece of Paper, Unwritten Love Letter and the Affair are the short-stories I do love the most. In A Piece of Paper, my heart fills with joys when the narrator says, “Oh what the hell! Marriage or divorce… it is just a “piece of paper,” I cannot help myself but to giggle and to nod on the idea. Marriage overall is a hypocritical prostitution legalised in a piece of document — (or is it the other way around?) Putting it in line with Nietzsche’s quote.
My heart constricts when I read Shalimar’s story in Unwritten Love Letter in which she expresses her love-starved and her desire to be loved by her “unavailable man” who keeps her as a mistress. My heart aches when she tells me about her mother who makes money from her sperm-soaked earnings.
In “The Affair,” the readers will see a different perspectives on male and female relationship, the exploration of the dark side of desire, and some carnal love.
What I think is lacking in Ms. Mukherjee’s is the spaces given to her narration. Some stories end abruptly in the sense like — unfinished resolution of a climax. I defo am sure if they’re given more length of space, those stories will turn into more beautiful stories.
बांझ Baanjh (adj)
= Someone who is infertile is unable to produce babies.
Baanjh is a collection of eleven stories. The stories circle around the similar line about women from different backgrounds: religious women, a sly woman, a woman who makes a living from the sperm-soaked business, a lonely rich woman and some more. These women carry a particular role in life and people may see them as an imperfect creature. Yet they also lead the readers to see a glimpse of the Indian roots and uncover the masculine domination which has already rooted in that particular culture.
A Piece of Paper, Unwritten Love Letter and the Affair are the short-stories I do love the most. In A Piece of Paper, my heart fills with joys when the narrator says, “Oh what the hell! Marriage or divorce… it is just a “piece of paper,” I cannot help myself but to giggle and to nod on the idea. Marriage overall is a hypocritical prostitution legalised in a piece of document — (or is it the other way around?) Putting it in line with Nietzsche’s quote.
My heart constricts when I read Shalimar’s story in Unwritten Love Letter in which she expresses her love-starved and her desire to be loved by her “unavailable man” who keeps her as a mistress. My heart aches when she tells me about her mother who makes money from her sperm-soaked earnings.
In “The Affair,” the readers will see a different perspectives on male and female relationship, the exploration of the dark side of desire, and some carnal love.
What I think is lacking in Ms. Mukherjee’s is the spaces given to her narration. Some stories end abruptly in the sense like — unfinished resolution of a climax. I defo am sure if they’re given more length of space, those stories will turn into more beautiful stories.
February 11, 2021
It's a collection of profound and vivid stories of women from different walks of life. After reading Susmita Mukherjee's "Baanjh", I went down the memory lane, where in school textbooks we used to read selected stories of famous authors like Premchand. Through her stories, she manages to maintain a perfect connection with our Indian roots.
Baanjh, a collection of stories of incomplete lives of complete women, but when I read those stories, I realized why such caption has been given, because in each story woman is finding, understanding, and accomplishing her completeness.
These women are at different stages of life and are in different roles, but in search to fill the void. Characters seem so real due to their sheer resemblance to our surroundings.
It could be dedicated Rukmini, her dedication towards her faith and destiny. Sometimes it is like Sudha, who is understanding life by being an intermediate between her "Didi" and "Amma" and with the significance of yellow card.
"Memories of red nose" shook me deep inside, every person will have a different perspective, but this story taught me the depth of emotions.
In relationship status, what has more significance, "A Piece of Paper" or A relationship.
In "Starbuzz" achieving her deepest desire by the conscious mind of unconscious Durga Rathod, made her feel complete for this life. How "Sakri-Bai" taught that too much sweet is proportionally bitter and poisonous.
"Some Birds Can't Fly" and "The Affair" will give you a perspective to view things differently, how some birds love nestling, some love to reach and explore the sky and in between this journey some automatically start loving and exploring themselves.
Overall beautiful stories of life which provoke to understand ourselves more.
"Taruna Gidwal"
Baanjh, a collection of stories of incomplete lives of complete women, but when I read those stories, I realized why such caption has been given, because in each story woman is finding, understanding, and accomplishing her completeness.
These women are at different stages of life and are in different roles, but in search to fill the void. Characters seem so real due to their sheer resemblance to our surroundings.
It could be dedicated Rukmini, her dedication towards her faith and destiny. Sometimes it is like Sudha, who is understanding life by being an intermediate between her "Didi" and "Amma" and with the significance of yellow card.
"Memories of red nose" shook me deep inside, every person will have a different perspective, but this story taught me the depth of emotions.
In relationship status, what has more significance, "A Piece of Paper" or A relationship.
In "Starbuzz" achieving her deepest desire by the conscious mind of unconscious Durga Rathod, made her feel complete for this life. How "Sakri-Bai" taught that too much sweet is proportionally bitter and poisonous.
"Some Birds Can't Fly" and "The Affair" will give you a perspective to view things differently, how some birds love nestling, some love to reach and explore the sky and in between this journey some automatically start loving and exploring themselves.
Overall beautiful stories of life which provoke to understand ourselves more.
"Taruna Gidwal"
April 27, 2022
The common thread that loosely connects all these stories is how the women are bound by the demands of egoistic males. The power hungry men controlled these women and made their lives miserable.
One such example was the tyranny of Chandrabhan Singh Thakur in the titular story 'Baanjh'. The tyranny of the Chandrabhan Singh Thakur in 'Baanjh' was something I flinched while reading.
'Friends for life' was a cute story revolving around the friendship between tour guide and a woman much to the chagrin of her lover.
Sakri-Bai, the main protagonist of the story of the same name went out of her way to secure her freedom from the clutches of her employer.
It was heartening to read 'The Unwritten Love Letter' which depicted the ordeal of every woman who is unfairly pushed towards flesh trade.
The tales were construed keeping in mind the social landscape. The plot was interspersed with local dialect which made for a homely reading experience.
It was wonderful to read stories of women from all walks of life especially ones who were holding their own especially in this patriarchal world. Some women even wanted to set their unbridled passion free and have an identity of their own instead of just getting known for their relationships.
'Baanjh' is an anthology featuring women who are trying to navigate the ebbs and highs of life with their insecurities, marital woes, fluctuating mental health and social taboos.
One such example was the tyranny of Chandrabhan Singh Thakur in the titular story 'Baanjh'. The tyranny of the Chandrabhan Singh Thakur in 'Baanjh' was something I flinched while reading.
'Friends for life' was a cute story revolving around the friendship between tour guide and a woman much to the chagrin of her lover.
Sakri-Bai, the main protagonist of the story of the same name went out of her way to secure her freedom from the clutches of her employer.
It was heartening to read 'The Unwritten Love Letter' which depicted the ordeal of every woman who is unfairly pushed towards flesh trade.
The tales were construed keeping in mind the social landscape. The plot was interspersed with local dialect which made for a homely reading experience.
It was wonderful to read stories of women from all walks of life especially ones who were holding their own especially in this patriarchal world. Some women even wanted to set their unbridled passion free and have an identity of their own instead of just getting known for their relationships.
'Baanjh' is an anthology featuring women who are trying to navigate the ebbs and highs of life with their insecurities, marital woes, fluctuating mental health and social taboos.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews