Author: Fakir Mohan Senapati
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Translator: L. Mohapatra, P. Pierre and K.K Mohapatra
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5 stars
Utkala Byasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati's fictional work 'Chha Mana Athaguntha' (Six and a Third Acres) is considered as a groundbreaking masterpiece of Odia Literature. It was the first modern Odia novel that showed the vivid picture of the inhuman torture and oppression of the poor landless farmers and peasants under the Zamindari system of colonial Odisha. The story set in the 19th century colonial india, revolves around a cruel and 'pious' zamindar Ramchandra Mangaraj in the village Govindpur who is known for illegally grabbing lands of poor peasants and farmers. This time his gaze falls on a small patch of land- Six and a third acres- owned by a poor weaver couple Saria and Bhagia. With his partner in crime Champa, Mangaraj decides to grab that land by any means possible.
The author realistically portrayed the clash between traditional and the modern. The work shows how the people in power (both Zamindar Mangaraj and the Colonial Britishers) use religion as a weapon to control the public and serve their purpose. In his satirical tone, the author has addressed the issues of women subjugation, caste oppression and village politics. Author Senapati is a master storyteller and with the mastery of his writing style and narration he not only introduced the readers with the reality but also offered them multiple prespectives to analyse their pathetic condition. Though it was written on the background of 19th century India but the lessons it gives has universal appeal. As far as the translation is concerned, it is equally good. The translators has succeeded in preserving the true essence of the work.
Overall, it was truly a great experience. I give this work full 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone.
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