I read the book She: Ekla Cholo Re by Dr. Shayan Haq and Santosh Avvannavar, during my visit to the dentist couple of days ago. I finished reading and writing this review, while I was waiting for my turn. It is a short book that it only took me less than half an hour to finish.
She
is the story of a transgender who talks about the problems she faced in her life and how she overcame it to meet her real self.The story is set in the backdrop of 1990 Calcutta,
She is a story about finding one’s own identity in spite of all odds. The story spins around the life of Kusum, a brave heart whose identity is often untitled and blurred; it does not belong anywhere, definitely not under the ‘he’ or ‘she’ bracket, thanks to our social conditioning. This book is all about discovering Kusum's undying passion for her love, and aspirations.Jodi tor dak sune keu na ashe,
Tobe ekla cholo,Ekla chalo,Ekla chalo re,Ekla chalo re.If no one answers your call,
Then walk along,Be not afraid, walk alone my friend.These lines from Tagore’s ‘Ekla Cholo Re’ song urges Kusum to continue despite the fear of abandonment from others. The song not only is an inspiration to her but also to us.A young boy who was abandoned by his family and friends because of his gender sensitivity but with the support of his well wishers, he transformed into a beautiful and dignified, Kusum.
This book talks about Kusum's fair share of complications in finding her true identity and how basically the society sees such people as disgrace. The book portrayed love, friendship, failure and success of Kusum.
The story was actually the conversation between Kusum and a stranger who gave her lift on a highway. On the whole, it was like Kusum talking to us. She opens up about the mistreatment she received from the society and how she overcame all the hurdles to become what she is.
However, I felt the friendship between that stranger and Kusum happened too fast and so, it was not very convincing.We should appreciate the authors to have chosen a topic often seen as taboo for the plot and to have brought out the emotion well.
About Authors - Dr. Shayan Haq is a Medical Doctor and Cosmetologist by profession and Santosh Avvannavar is an Advisor for different organisations who dabbles in fiction writing. He also authored few other books.
The writing was simple and the book is neither too short nor dragging. We all know how the community see people who has difficulty in fitting in such no male no female category. Mainly, the book insists on the importance of equal rights to everyone irrespective of their gender.
It is a straightforward story. Straight from the heart and the ending came in a heartwarming tone.
Thank you
Santosh, for sending me this book.We should be proud of who we are irrespective of what others think of us. What's in a name? What's in a gender? It only matters what we are and what we do!
'She' is enlightening and inspiring.
Grab this book at Amazon.in
