Haveli Days & Other Reminiscences

This remarkable book is mainly about life as it used to be in the haveli mansions of Rajasthan in a typical rural setting of a sethana – sethon ka thikana or the abode of rich merchants. Some other reminiscences have also been included. In sum here you have the outpourings from the very special, velvet lined recesses of the author’s memory. The graphic delineations of characters from the tales leave them etched in your memory, too. Some instances may be cited: the doting mother with her devotion to Ramlala; Bholya ki maa, the venerable utensil-cleaner; the loquacious Naain Kaaki; the tales of chhutki on the one hand and Bodam Daada and Champa Chaachi on the other narrated in a masterly fashion; the Mochi (cobbler) Kaaka and his bullying son as fine a study of human character as one can ever hope to come across; the heart touching ministrations of Shyo Maa; Sukha Kaaka, not a servant but a senior member of the family and a true uncle in need and deed; the lisping thatolia girl and, so on.