Magic recreated!!! This is the third book which I
have read by this author & as expected it was a great work by the great
author. Again, this is an appallingly simple story which is so close to the
real life that you can actually relate to it. This story was written some 15+
years back, but today also it holds so true, leukoderma probably might not be
such a big issue these days due to awareness but current issues can ranging
from medical issues to social issues or interpersonal relationship issues.
I have seen many people with leukoderma, even in
my family, but have hardly given it a thought ever… But can you believe this!!!
in today’s world of awareness & communication when I was getting married 6
years back, many of the marriage proposals were not taken forward just because
someone in our family had leukoderma…. Mind you they were not my parents or my
siblings. At that time I just thought just one ‘bahana’ not to pursue it but
after reading it I realised that leukoderma still has social stigma attached to
it. Anupama’s [the female protagonist] agony make you realize what it is. to go
through all this especially at that time.
It’s a touching story of a courageous girl,
Anupama, who suffers from leukoderma just after her marriage. How the
hypocritical society, insensitive in-laws and husband obsessed with beauty
treat her! Above all, her husband is a doctor who knows it very well that
leukoderma is a harmless disease in which a person suffers from a deficiency in
the pigmentation of skin. The writer has portrayed various aspects of Indian
society – arranged marriages, dominating mother in-law, helpful friends,
hypocrite relatives, a cursing stepmother, and worried father of a young Indian
girl. I would recommend everyone to read this novel once especially those who
are planning to tie the nuptial knot in the coming years. Marriage is a
commitment for a lifetime. Make this commitment only if you are prepared to
honor it.
“A marriage is a commitment, for better or worse,
till death do us part”
This book has affected life of many people. One of
such personal experience is mentioned by Sudha Murthy at the end of book where
she was invited to an unknown marriage of a girl with leukoderma which was
almost broken and then the bridegroom changed his opinion after reading her
book Mahashweta. A suggestion from the author herself: "Start reading the
book after going through the post-script."
From a social point of view, the language scores.
It is so simple that even people with the most basic English skills will be
able to understand it; and that is paramount given that the book has a strong
social message to deliver (probably the only reason it was written). And the
translation ensures that it reaches a wider web of people.
Mahashweta makes good reading and touches the
heart. It dispels false notions about one of nature’s cruelties called
Leukoderma. It takes the focus away from the external factors of one’s
personality and brings it around to internal factors like what the person
stands for. More women should read it to find their foothold in the society and
overcome dependence on their families or husbands and find identities as individuals.
It is only when others know that you can’t be hurt that they will stop trying.
My Rating: 
Keep Shattering...
K
