‘Roti Ke Chaar Harf’: Hindi short stories speak poignantly of love and many forms of disappointments

Social inequalities and injustices are the primary theme of Alok Ranjan’s second book, Roti Ke Chaar Harf. The 11 stories in the collection speak poignantly of love, the many iterations of disappointments, pervasive hopelessness, moral dilemmas, and contemporary politics. These themes were also at the centre stage of Siyahat, his debut book published seven years ago.

Alok’s inimitable style is reflected in the way he writes about old Delhi’s food in “Hum Break Par Main”, and how food becomes a matter of survival and ego in the title story “Roti Ke Chaar Harf”. Through food, he examines the staggering disparities in a city like Delhi, and by extension, of our country.

Our need for validation, no matter how trivial, does not always fade with age and wisdom. An old man’s attempt to retain his youth blurs the line between truth and lie. He revels in the momentary pleasure derived from being useful to another person. In “Iss Duniya Ke Kinaare”, we see how we barely have any control over the complexes that shape each individual and the choices that they make.

Men and women

If the men are always irritable and eager to flaunt their bravado, the women maintain a calm facade. The best examples of this can be found in...

Read more

News