On 8th January we rediscovered connection with our inner child. Book Club members gathered in large number for ‘Suno Kahani,’ a delightful activity we believed was meant only for young kids. The stories were written in our mother tongue and were narrated by ‘Vani’ in the most expressive and captivating manner. In today’s world, where most of us primarily read English facts and fiction books, it was rejuvenating to experience stories written in Hindi. It reignited the passion to explore more literature crafted in our native language.
The first story, ‘Neech,’, penned by Razia Sajjad Zaheer, portrayed an upper-class woman, Sultana, stereotypically perceiving Shyamali, a lower-class woman, as having loose moral values for leaving her husband and abandoning her lover. Despite her bias, Sultana admired Shyamali for rejecting her controlling husband and not relying on any man for her life. Shyamali’s experiences resonated with many listeners who were in awe of her attitude and strength. Personally, I saw Shyamali as an embodiment of women’s empowerment, showcasing courage and trust in her own abilities.
With additional time on hand, Vani shared another short tale ‘Nigodi chali hi aawe hai’ by the same author. The story was about a vibrant woman brimming with life. Regardless of the circumstances, she had the remarkable ability to find reasons to laugh and uplift spirits.
These were ordinary yet inspiring women who, despite facing challenging circumstances, lived life on their own terms. Each of us took away a valuable lesson that day – have faith in your abilities and rise above your circumstances. Another lesson we learnt was the power of believing in storytelling. Several of us now aspire to continue this meaningful activity in smaller groups, making it a purposeful and enjoyable pastime.
