Shabari: A Novel – Vibhavari Shirurkar

Description

“Shabari”, named after the protagonist, is the story of an educated middle-class woman whose life spans pre-and post-independent India. The novel shows how her life transforms through marriage and family, dealing with the tensions inherent in a ‘love-arranged’ marriage, the changing attitudes of the newer materialistic and hypocritical order, the generation gaps and the utter despair and loss at betrayal. Yet, it is never melodramatic or overtly sentimental. Extremely believable, “Shabari” is a fine balance between the contrasting and complementary minds of the man and the woman. It is interesting how Shabari’s education is constantly used against her. The protagonist is never idealised, she is extremely down-to-earth. This novel operates in the realm of grey, as opposed to strict compartments of black and white.