THE ADIVASI WILL NOT DANCE

Well let me start by saying that I'm not from India. Where I live the concept of caste is a whiff of bad smell that lingers, but is not not a major integral part of the societies that make up Malaysia. Its only a sin if you marry a Malay, but that's a story for another time. Anyways this book is very well written, some stories shorter than the others but each unique to its own. I believe it depicts the real life stories of the lower castes in India, and from the books it is the Harijan sub-castes, Santal, etc. Some of them have become successful in life and yet some are drawn to the backwardness of their own lives. Such a beautiful book. I'm glad I bought it. It had been sitting in my cart for the longest time ever.

To escape the scroching summer heat and cool down the body, I was relishing a chilled watermelon juice while reading a short story collection. I reached a point in the story and I couldn't gulp down the juice to my throat. My tongue froze and cold spread all over the mouth. I didn't know whether to spit that juice out or push it down the throat. It took me some time to pull myself together.'THE ADIVASI WILL NOT DANCE' by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar is the book I was reading. It has 10 short stories set in Jharkhand and specifically talks about the Santhals. Most of the stories are surprisingly told from a female perspective. Usually when a male author writes a female character, it would be mostly what a man's view on what women thinks. But, here the author has breathed life into very realistic women and their stories. These stories are highly captivating and will make you sit down and think how little you know about the cultural diversity of our great country.All the stories are simple but raw. The ease with which the author compels you to look into the most painful stories of the Santhals is astonishing. He doesn't create drama instead portrays whatever he has to say very subtly. It is we who have to read in between the lines. This book was banned in Jharkhand stating it has excessive pornographic content. Certain stories like 'November is the month of migrations', 'Eating with the enemy', 'Merely a whore' definitely has vivid and descriptive sexual encounters. They are not written to induce pleasure, but disgust. All that scene depicts what those women must have felt when they were forced to do something they don't want because of their situations, mainly poverty.I had read many lines twice in order to reassure whether I have read it right. I was like, wait, does that happen? Does he write something so intense, just like that, without creating any huge anticipation and left me like this? Yes, these stories are so brave, open and definitely calls out the caste, class and social discrimination Santhals face without a pinch of fear! The language is simple. So anyone who can read basic English could read this. Books like this should be read and celebrated more.

As I delve into regional literature I discover a new India. A facet still unknown to me where the progress is superficial and the miseries of the masses still unaddressed.The book is an anthology of captivating,potent short stories with a tinge of black humour based on Santhal community. Hansda's  stories tears through the thick curtain of bureaucracy, politics,power,progress and bares the barbs of hunger,greed,exploitation,marginalization,alienation and superstition lodged deep in the life of gullible santhal commmunity which scars their generations. There are ten stories in the anthology. Each story stands out from others. A central government employee get transferred to a vegetarian state, his family feels alienated despite embracing the place and its culture heartily. A  migrant worker sacrificing her most precious thing to suffice her hunger and survive. Young child framed in false rape case in order to take revenge from his family. A bride cheating on her husband in hope of a reunion.Worried mother rushing to her ill child. A widow mother ousted from her own home by her superstitious family.A troupe- master refusing to perform before the highest authority of the country in protest of injustice meted out to his people.The earthiness of the characters ,their struggle to survive the change and make the best use of the situation makes it a wonderful read.      Written in a matter of fact manner the author exposed the ground reality without creating any drama.The bitter truth hits in the face. Its an eye- opener for me.Author hits home with the title story The Adivasi Will Not Dance.The story will force you to reconsider the meaning of progress, it will provoke you to think at what cost we are getting it and is it really worth it. It changed my perspective towards a whole community.I could easily relate to the first story as something similar happened to my friend's family.The issues brought forth through the stories need to addressed as the trail of reality can hardly go unnoticed.I want to thank the author for lending voice to the unheard stories and the publisher Speaking Tiger for bringing forth such a inspiring powerful book.

I chose to read it because I grew up there. These stories brought more aspects to light than what meets the eye.

Although the book is a collection of small stories but they are true reflection of what's going on in Adivasi communities including migration of young men and women to look for livelihood outside their states and displacement from their homes due to mining and other projects without due consideration and consent of the local people.