Page 61 - 31MAR2019E

Book review
When lovers meet after 35 long years

Srushti Dhoke’s novel Tamarind Ache has simple story that my grandmother
format and setting as well as smooth flow to the had told me when I was a kid.
“I remember being
narrative, writes humra quraishi absolutely dumbfounded;
it was a story that seemed
It’s not high pitched nor over more flesh to her characters. much like a fairytale, but with
the top, and with that the Perhaps, in her next novel. a sad ending. The fact that
emotional strain holds high As of now this touching story the narration had actually
right till the very end. And does touch the heart to such been someone’s life pinched
much in keeping with this an extent that I had to ask my heart, and I could never
backgrounder, the love story this young author via email truly get over the way that
isn’t complex or complicated; (as she’s in the United States life sometimes plays out. I
on the contrary, simple and and I’m here in India) this strongly felt that this was
revolving around the simple relevant query- Why did you a story to be remembered,
basics to the human wants. think of writing this touching and it is perhaps because of
Topping the list, emotions love story ...what made you this imprint that it had on
and emotional wants, which or say provoked you to write me that as soon as I realised
far exceed all other wants. this love story? And this is that Tamarind Ache was going
And much in keeping with what she had to detail - to have love as a theme, I
amarind Ache is the un-complicated format, “When I first started writ- decided to make it the frame
a love story with Srushti has based her novel ing Tamarind Ache, I didn’t of my work.”
a difference. in the rural India and that in have a clear storyline in my ♦ ♦ ♦
After all, the two itself is one of those vital fac-
former lovers tors that add to the connect. And I cannot end this
T get to see and Just in case it was based in review without focusing on
meet each other after a gap New York or in New Jersey the foreword to this novel,
of 35 long years and too in then, for very obvious rea- Tamarind where Ruskin Bond minces
ache
an absolutely non-romantic sons, there could have been By SruShti Dhoke no words in putting love high
scenario. Only to part once obstacles coming in way to rupa up, there on the pedestal. To
again. Nah, not along a con- the very connect... Mind you, 188 pp; 395 quote him, “Falling in love
trived format, but more along though this young author is a is one of the most inspir-
the strain of those human freshman at Boston Uni- ing experiences for a young
situations which overtake versity, Massachusetts, USA, writer; it brings along with it
all possible intentions and pursuing economics and a certain kind of spontaneity
interventions. mathematics, but she visits and intensity…” Bond being
In fact, as one reads her grandparents’ home in head; it was a surprise even Bond, is forthright in stating
through this novel what hits their village in Maharashtra to me when the story took a that he hasn’t been lucky in
is the very end to it or call it once every year. turn towards love. The main matters of love, “I have had an
the very climax, as it brings Quite obviously, rural set- idea behind writing Tamarind old love or two. But I shall not
along an array of emotions. tings have left deep imprints Ache was to depict what life take the luxury of calling my-
Somehow whilst reading so as to form the very back- in a village is like from the self lucky in love. Because if I
through the last few pages bone to her debut novel. perspective of the people were that lucky, I wouldn’t be
to this novel, I got so carried In fact, she has very deftly who live it, and so Tamarind a bachelor today…would I?”…
away that I kept thinking managed to web and inter- Ache is a story based entirely He leaves us a verse which is
of my first love. Of course, I web those everyday details on real events. Every little provocative enough for us to
wasn’t fortunate enough as to rural settings and around aspect of every event in the go looking for love…finding
the protagonist of this novel, the characters who hold out book has been picked straight love before falling in love!
to have managed to have re- in the novel. out of the stories that my “Somewhere in life
met my first love, but all those Yes, all the mundane man- grandparents have told me There must be someone
memories held sway, with ages to stand out, through a about the village that they To take your hand
nostalgia clasping me tight. tapestry of descriptions and live in and about their fellow And share the torrid day
In fact, what I loved about dialogues and the relevant villagers, and also out of my Without the touch of love
Srushti Dhoke’s novel is the interplay of human emo- own experiences in the vil- There is no life, and we must
simplicity of the format and tions. I only wish she had lage. And so, just like every- fade away.”
setting and, of course, the somewhat elaborated on the thing else, the love story too
very flow to the narrative. story and also added some was greatly inspired by a true letters@tehelka.com

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