O P Sharma
Title of the book : Putliyan (Puppets)
Author : Inderjeet Kesar
Publisher : Jai Mata Prakashan, Jammu
Year : 2023
Page : 309
Price : Rs. 500
About the Book
This 309-page novel, entitled “Putliyan” (Puppets) has been written and published by the Sahitya Akademi Awardee Inderjeet Kesar. It is worth mentioning that Mr. Kesar has kept his promise with his mother-tongue, Dogri to put out one book every year, right from 1998. Thus in 26 years, he has published 27 books (two in 2022) comprising novels, poetry, short stories, essays, devotional songs and a travelogue as well. He has also published a well illustrated pictorial book for the children.
The present novel, Putliyan is mainly based on drug habitual Subhash, who dies in his youth due to which the whole family is scattered. Madhu, mother of Subhash is forced to live alone throughout her life. Madhu was very active and good at studies. His father Mr. Bua Ditta joined service as a Patwari and was elevated to be a Tehsildar, much before his superannuation. In spite of no restrictions from parents’ side and no dearth of resources, the highly charactered Madhu had no high wishes and lived her childhood very simply and comfortably. She was liked and praised by one and all due to her qualities of head and heart.
Hard Realities
This novel also gives a message that it is not easy for an honest person to survive in this corrupt era as the people make their life miserable. By false allegations of corruption, manipulated by his colleagues, Bua Ditta was implicated in a corruption case and jailed for a day. Since he remained honest throughout his life, his higher officer came to his rescue.
Ups and downs of life have been vividly depicted in this novel successfully. Madhu was married to one who was Inspector in the Power Department. Bhushan loved his wife Madhu very much but because of undesirable company and “under-table income”, he became habitual of liquor and drugs. The whole atmosphere of the family was disturbed by his habits.
Evils in Society
Due to regular consumption of drugs and liquor, this man started ignoring his wife, parents and lived in his “own world”. During pregnancy of Madhu, her husband died because of acute liver damage. It was very difficult for the family to bear this unbearable loss and additionally Shanti, mother-in-law could not tolerate it and expired by falling from stairs. An unforeseen atmosphere was created. Besides, Bushan Dass developed some kind of hesitation of carrying on in his house with his daughter-in-law Madhu. One day he also left the house for some unknown place without telling any body. The drugs brought lot of miseries to a happy and satisfied family. Madhu felt alone and felt herself in a chaotic situation.
After some time, Bishan Dass sent all the property and financial papers to Madhu and remained in one-sided touch with her through letters. Facing lot of hardships and controlling her sentiments, Madhu brought up his son, Subhash and sent him for Engineering training. Though Subhash was very sincere and obedient yet, Madhu kept on missing and remembering her mother-in-law Shanti and the sacrifice made by her father-in-law Bua Ditta.
End Drug Abuse
While living alone, Madhu developed some ailments and remained under treatment of an elderly Dr. Ajay. Realizing the lonliness of ailing Madhu, broadminded young Subhash took initiative to hold discussions with his mother Madhu and Dr. Ajay to persuade both of them to live together. With his mature arguments he made both, Madhu and Dr. Ajay, to live together at their home permanently as sincere friends. Showing sincerity to his medical profession, Dr. Ajay did not marry throughout his life. On the sincere request of Subhash, Dr. Ajay came forward to look after Madhu.
The novel has succeeded in alerting the society and advising them the particularly the youth to understand and desist from the bad effects of drugs.
This novel has admirable qualities of printing, simplicity of language, captivating narration for tackling the growing social evil of drug menace in the society. Mr. Kesar, an experienced former Bureaucrat and having a good pen in the Dogri language, has rightly carved out a niche in the social and literary horizon. All out drive must be launched to tackle the problem of drug menace at all cost, the book gives this core message.
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