Punshi Lambi Chatpada |
A collection of eleven Manipuri short stories by O Kuber, published by Sheileschandra, Price Rs 30/20, page 60. Books from Barak Valley Reviewed by: Konsam Kulladhwaja |
Short stories are written within the periods of single sittings. It is not so for Kuber. He takes two to five years to complete a short story. Khal Mani is written during 1996-1998. It would be quite wonder why the writer takes so long in writing a single short story. Mani is the name of a shopkeeper who is so punctual in his duty and service of selling things. The writer thought that the shopkeeper would not get any leisure time for watching cricket in the TV or seeing the outer world. The shopkeeper's view would be narrower. But Mani, the shopkeepers observes that his duty of measuring the weights is very important to human life. Materialism would be more important than spiritualism, according to the writer's point of view in this short story. Using the elements of dream and fantasy the author presents his short story Amamba Ahingdugi Pretmurti written in 1998-1999. The author has been roped in to commit sins by a specter that comes at the death of night. There is a long encounter between the writer-persona and the specter. The story concludes in confusion focusing on the writer persona as a defeated man. The last story entitled Ngasidi Mana Eibu Nungshiramlagadara, written in 1999-2000 reflects the theme of platonic love. The theme is not serious. The narrator frequently visits the market and buys vegetables from the vendors and always spends time sitting beside a woman. The woman is nobody but a widow whom the narrator had tried to woo her when was unmarried.
|
Courtesy: The Sangai Express |
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.