BOOK REVIEW: SATENDRA SINGH’S (JAI FIJI’S) “ VIDHWA - THE DARING WIDOW"

 

BOOK REVIEW: SATENDRA SINGH’S (JAI FIJI’S) “ VIDHWA -The daring Widow

By Guest Writer: RAJENDRA PRASAD

[Originally from Vaqia, Ba, Fiji, he is author of “Tears in Paradise” and “Enslaved in Paradise”]

I am indeed privileged and honoured to do a book review of a fellow villager budding writer Satendra Singh (Jai Fiji) from my neighbouring birth village, rustic and dusty Rarawai, Golflinks, Ba in shadows of Rarawai Sugar Mill.

The Vidhwa is stripped of all happiness and dressing in colours after death of her husband in some Hindu Communities. She stands very distinctly rejected and "uncoloured" in crown of other colourfully-dressed married woman? Isn't it time modern educated women should start sending those outdated modes and practices to trash bins, and rewrite future of Widows from viewpoint of women - educated women?

And that is not the reason for my review to be partial in anyway. In fact, this is a salute to this budding writer, who, like me, has taken this mammoth challenge, a common villager, aam aadmi, who has not been to a university, but writes from heart that is very readable. 

And that is done in a climate where we have dwindling book readers, with the new generation busy with their modern gadgets and phone technologies.

The Guest Writer, RAJENDRA PRASAD, who kindly agreed to read the book and write this review for FIJI PUNDIT. He is a renowned author of Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise

Recognising such a constraint, he has written short books which are packed with action, drama, emotion, and suspense. The other advantage of such amateur writers is that they do not write boring academic pieces but the thoughts flow deep from their real-life experiences. Such is the case with VIDHWA too.

Vidhwa (widow) is an apt title for this book and author, Stan, F.J (pseudonym) acutely knows the Hindu societal norms and practices, which were meant to destroy, if not, hurt and humiliate the widows. In this, Vidhwa could be referred to as ‘double jeopardy’, noting that the central character suffers the loss of husband and, in a cruel twist, she is held responsible for it. In such circumstances, some lives are lost through suicide when victims choose it as the ultimate option to escape sustained familial and public humiliation.

The launch of VIDHWA in Auckland by Labour Minister Phil Twyford (right) at GIRMIT REMEMBRANCE DAY in Auckland on 7 May, 2021 . President of FIJI GIRMMIT FOUNDATION NZ, Krish Naidu is with him after the launch. 

Like his first book, TEARS OF A FATHER, this book is also rooted in the community, echoing its societal oddities.

It also touches on very deep hypocrisy – pakhand prevalent in our people. They project themselves as deeply religious but their walks differ markedly from their talks wherein the villains gain approbation as virtuous.

STAN - the Author, SATENDRA SINGH (JAI FIJI) - the two faces: In his younger days in Fiji (top) and how he looks now (above)

Vidhwa also exposes the multifaced people, the colour-changing chameleons,(girgit, bistuia) who comprise our society. It movingly captures the local village politics and how some rich and influential people use their wealth and influence to hurt or exploit common people who stand up for their rights. It is not all grisly and gruesome, as the author, seemingly, also captures high school knowledge and experiences to sprinkle his story with variety that includes romance and mystery, including contemporary news on drugs and the mystery of missing girls. 

A best dressed Hindu widow is stripped off her fashion and beautiful clothes upon death of husband. Why is her present and future determined by a man? Why aren't   similar reciprocating atrocities and discrimination bestowed on widower husbands who are ready to re-marry before the flames and embers of the pyre (chita) of their wives have cooled? Were script-writers of Hindu scriptures very male-chauvinists, with no real-life experience, always putting down women?

The story line very ably weaves all these into an ending which is very interesting and would sound like a Bollywood plot. But the plot insinuates that righteousness and truth are the ultimate victors and strongly endorses respect for women who have been the victims of decadent societal norms that afflicted every generation.

Fortunately, they belonged to a bygone era, though the society is not completely rid of it. These societal beliefs and practices were conceived in a less enlightened era but entrenched itself so strongly that that its residual effects touched every generation. The author aptly captures the depravities associated with such beliefs and practices, which may not make as much sense to today’s educated and enlightened generation, but they do provide a healthy forum for introspection and reflection.

There are sparks of brilliance throughout the book, which perhaps captures author’s disgust of some of the beliefs and practices introduced to demean, demonize, and destroy women’s social standing.

VIDHWA -THE DARING WIDOW - The Book Cover.

Vidhwa, based in Fiji, has target audience and the author weaves through intricately to keep the reader enthralled and engrossed to the end.

[About the Author: Rajendra Prasad is the author of two historically-enlightening books on Fiji, TEARS IN PARADISE – Suffering and Struggles of Indians in Fiji 1879-2004) and ENSLAVED IN PARADISE – A history of Mammoth Betrayals of Fijians by British, Chiefs and Leaders in Fiji 1876-2006.He is a Foundation Trustee of FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ, and a former Ba Town Clerk. He now resides in Auckland. Those wishing to acquire these books can e-mail Thakur Ranjit Singh at: thakurjifj@gmail.com or inbox message to him on Facebook]