Tadow - Vivid Echoes of Modern India by Shalaka Kulkarni

 Tadow - Vivid Echoes of Modern India by Shalaka Kulkarni | Book Review

Tadow is an unfiltered, gritty collection that peels back the layers of society with unflinching honesty. Shalaka vividly captures the nation’s pulse through the unwavering gaze of a storyteller who refuses to look away.

It is a collection of more than fifty short stories, all of which are set in India. These stories showcase various aspects of our country, ranging from the bustling metropolises to the serene, from crowded streets to peaceful hill stations. It simultaneously captures myriads of emotions, exploring the meaning of what it is to live.

I loved all the stories, but "Taqdeer", "Champi", "Taciturn", "RunSway" and "Concord". In the story "Piety", the interaction between Farzi and Manan empowers the story with optimism. I felt as if it were narrated for me, and the way God guides us cannot be expressed in words. So it is important to feel the presence of God every time with you.

The adage "Brevity is the soul of wit" stands truer than ever in this book. Even though most of the stories are short, their straightforward narration and three-dimensional characters pack a punch. Right from the start, the words flow effortlessly. I could easily progress from one story to the next. Sure, the previous one would linger in the mind, but I was curious to see how much more I could be surprised. And I was pleasantly surprised by almost every story.

The author, with her writing skills, weaves stories into a rich tapestry of voices, each echoing the complexities, contradictions, and beauty of life in contemporary India. The book explores issues of gender, generational transition, identity, and resistance amidst the chaos of life.

She depicts the conflict between tradition and modernisation with incisive prose and moving anecdotes, creating tales that are genuine and packed with emotion.

Overall, it's clear this book is more than just a read; it's an experience of feeling every note of life's symphony. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking stories that truly resonate and stay with them.

Purchase tadow here.

#Bookishlife2022_ #OpinionMatters #bookrecommendations