The best short stories from Indian authors you MUST read.
Reading! It is like therapy for your mind and music to your ears. Reading is that one activity that is very personal and can be enjoyed to the fullest by each person. Just pick your favorite corner, sip on hot coffee and read your heart out. I cannot tell you how calming and peaceful that is. Reading is one practice that should be imbibed in us from an early age. And it is the only thing that remains with us till the end of time.
To all those people who haven’t ventured into reading yet, it is never too late. You can start right now. Short stories are best for starters. They are small, concise and can be easily read by amateurs as well. Its not that short stories are to be only read by people who cannot read full-fledged novels. Today, the horizon of short stories has become so vast and it has expanded its wings to every genre possible. Mainstream writers like the mythological guru, Devdutt Pattanaik has also ventured into short stories after writing some amazing novels.
As writers you have a lot of scope in short stories. They are to the point and you get a chance to write on various genres and then compile them if you want. Readers today want something that is fast-paced and quick. Short stories provide exactly that.
Today, we have short stories with beautiful messages and topics that were never explored before. This opens up a new world for readers and gives them a chance to delve into a different space altogether.
Here are some short stories from Indian authors that you MUST read:
IF YOU SEE ME DON’T SAY HI BY NEEL PATEL:
This thought-provoking book is a compilation of 11 short stories that mainly deals with Native Americans as protagonists. These short stories deal with social issues like homosexuality, subtle racism and other stereotypes held against Indians. These stories witty and downright funny. If you want a good read then this book is perfect for you.
MOHANASWAMY BY VASUDHENDRA:
Originally written in Kannada, this book is an interlinked anthology that deals with the life of Mohanaswamy, a homosexual man living in a highly homophobic world. This short story explores the world of dating as a homosexual man and later on we see his dreams crashing as his male love interest marries a woman. This book is highly relatable and catches the nuances of gay culture very well.
WHEN I HID MY CASTE BY BABURAO BAGUL:
This book was originally written in Marathi and is now translated by Jerry Pinto. It deals with the atrocities faced by the Dalit community and have they have been prevalent since ages. It doesn’t empathize or sugarcoat the Dalit community, but shows just facts. For gaining a deeper insight into this delicate topic, this book is a must read. It offers an unadulterated version of the oppression against the minority community and calls out Indians for their hypocrisy.
KHOL DO BY SAADAT HASSAN MANTO:
Paying homage to one the first writers of short stories, this heart-wrenching tale by Manto will give you chills down your spine. A story based during the times of Indo-Pak partition, it deals with the subtle atrocities faced by a kidnapped woman and her helpless father in dire search of her. The story takes a dark turn and reveals the sufferings of the woman and exposes the monstrous nature of human beings.
The above-mentioned stories are great starters for anyone with a knack for reading or for somebody who wants to venture into the magical world of stories.