Anjuman Prakashan
Joined - September 2024
Logline
Shubh revisits Kashi to devise its development model, he gets to meet Manu, with whom he had come to know Banaras in its truest form.
Short Synopsis
Set in the sacred picturesque of old Kashi in 2003, this story is about how the cultural epitome of India was being rebuilt to add to the country’s modernization in 2016. While the new model for Kashi Vishwanath was going to make a difference, its true flavor still oozed from its old and tarnished landscape. Just like the love between Shubh and Manu that always remained, even after compromising their unsaid relationship.
He had first heard her singing at Ramashay’s residence near the Ganga ghats in Kashi. Shubh was admitted to study History at Benaras Hindu University and had gone to meet Ramashay, his father’s friend. Manu, his daughter was from the drama club at BHU. In college, he made friends with Shyam and Satyendra and also stayed in touch with Manu.
Shubh and Manu became close acquaintances during their drama practice for a competition organized by NSD. One such day, Shrikant who was Manu’s classmate, had confessed his feelings for Manu before Shubh. Though Shubh was uncertain of his feelings, this caused him insecurity and he did not let Manu know about it. Rather, throughout the practice Manu and Shubh kept each other’s company. This bothered Shrikant. Meanwhile, their play got selected and was called to Delhi for a performance.
Shrikant felt betrayed and decided to focus on his goals. Shubh and Manu in Delhi had spent their time exploring the cultural heritage sites. Their insightful walks to Ghalib’s Haveli, and Daryaganj, along with their conversations made both realize that they liked each other. But they never confessed.
After a few days of returning to Banaras, Manu revealed that she was being married to a guy Rajeev, who worked in Japan. Under the strict influence of her father, she was not able to go beyond his words. This way, they parted ways, and time fled by.
Later, Shubh also got married and settled in Delhi. He worked along with Satyendra in a company dealing with the renovation of monumental sites. One day, they received a contract to renovate the Kashi corridor, PM Modi’s dream project which was inspired by the beautification of Japan’s Kyoto that never lost its inherited charm. Meanwhile, the Indian government sought help from the same company that looked after the development of Kyoto. Surprisingly, Rajeev, Manu’s husband had worked for it and was appointed for the Indian project. One day Shubh received a call from Shyam, who after clearing his IAS exam got a position in Japan’s excise department. He reminded Shubh of Rajeev and Manu and informed him that Rajeev would be soon in India to assist him.
His memories of Manu crawled back to him as he left for Banaras with mixed feelings. Here, he met Rajeev and both devised a model for the Kashi Vishwanath. Later, he went to meet Manu. They talked for a long and cherished the feelings they once had for each other. The story ends with Manu gifting Shubh a pen drive that had a Gulzar’s verse saying-
“ḳhushbū jaise log mile afsāne meñ, ek purānā ḳhat kholā anjāne meñ
shaam ke saa.e bālishtoñ se naape haiñ, chāñd ne kitnī der lagā dī aane meñ”
Author Bio
सौरभ शर्मा, मूल रूप से रायपुर निवासी हैं और छत्तीसगढ़ में जनसंपर्क अधिकारी के रूप में कार्यरत हैं। ‘एलिस इन वंडरलैंड’ की तरह इनका गद्य भी पाठकों को कल्पना की दुनिया में ले जाता है। दुनिया जिन अच्छे लोगों की वजह से सुंदर है उन पात्रों को चुन-चुनकर यह अपने गद्य में ले आते हैं, जिससे इनकी साहित्यिक दुनिया और भी समृद्ध हो जाती है और पाठक के लिए न भूलने वाली स्मृति छोड़ जाती है। आप इनसे sourabh306@gmail.com पर संपर्क कर सकते हैं।
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