Kitne Pakistan. Review on Partitions - Kamleshwar

PARTITIONS is a translation of a much acclaimed novel in Hindi *Kitne Pakistan *by Kamleshwar.I think first and foremost that this novel should be converted into a movie and then dubbed in all languages so that everyone can see it because its story involves all world.

The story revolves around a adeeb’s (a literary person) court where everyone possible in this world from Aurangzeb to Shahjahan, Bahadurshah Zafar to Lord MountBatten, River Ganga to Jamuna, Jinnah to President Truman of USA, all are summoned , either as accused or as witnesses.Many Characters like City Hiroshima and people torn out of partition are complainants.

There are hordes of characters in this novel each putting their perspective on partitions all over world and their sufferings borne out of it.Even God and Goddesess are not spared and their infightings widely discussed between adeeb and his peon.

There is a love story also going on parallel in this novel between Adeeb and Salma who have similar dreams. Sometimes the book looks like a history book , analyzing and comparing different historical perspectives on one big historical incident, sometimes it looks like a funny drama where unrelated characters are arguing with each other making it like a comedy film and sometimes the novel becomes poignant and touchy when it portrays extreme human trauma.I liked a character who used to collect tears all over world and then analysed them, but later on he started collecting dreams, shattered dreams.

I got to know some historical facts through this book which I didn’t know earlier.

Kamleshwar displays rare balance of knowledge of world history and its enactment into drama which creates questions in mind of reader and touches his/her soul.

I recommend this book and thanks for reading my review.Happy Independence Day to You!!