EK DIWA VIZATANA By RATNAKAR MATKARI

TALES LIKE THE TITLE STORY OF THIS COLLECTION BELONG TO THE GENRE OF INEXPLICABLE MYSTERIES. ‘CHAUTHI KHIDAKI’ IS A FANTASTIC SCIENTIFIC TALE BUILT AROUND THE CONCEPT OF TIME. ‘PORKHEL’ USES THEANALOGY OF A CHILDAT PLAY WITH HER DOLLS, TO HIGHLIGHT THAT HUMAN BEINGS ARE MERE PAWNS IN THE HANDS OF FATE. ‘SUCHETA CHAKRAPANI ANI TICHA KOKILKANTH’ TACKLES THE TANGLE BETWEEN AN ARTISTE AND HER ART – A FANTASTIC RENDERING REMINISCENT OF MAGICAL REALISM. MATKARI’S STORIES GIVE US THE FEELING OF ENTERING A JUNGLE AT DUSK. THE READER BEGINS HIS JOURNEY ALONG THE BORDER THAT SEPARATES REALITY FROM FANTASY. MATKARI EMPLOYS DIFFERENT NARRATIVE STYLES AND STRUCTURE TO LEAD THE READER ALONG FAMILIAR AS WELL AS UNFAMILIAR PATHS IN THIS JUNGLE.WHILE BEING IMMENSELY ATTRACTIVE, THIS JOURNEY TAKES THE READER INTO EVER DEEPER REGIONS.