One just cannot ignore Manoranjan Byapari’s words. Originally titled Cherra Cherra Jibon in Bengali and translated to English by Arunava Sinha, Imaan is an consequential book about the penurious living in Kolkata. But as I delved deeper into the story, it often felt like I was peeling an onion. Each layer opened up into a different story but somehow all of it comes together in the end. There’s no doubt that great translation elevates a novel significantly and every time I read anything by @arunavasinha ,this fact is again reaffirmed.

One would think that Imaan is mainly about a six month old baby who enters prison in the arms of his mother and continues to stay there for two decades. Prison becomes his home, a place of comfort where everyone loves him and when he is finally released, he finds himself in a strange world. Contrary to what the title suggests, I believe only a small piece of the book revolves around Imaan.

The bigger chunk introduces us to an array of characters, all of them living in shanties. The men are seen resorting to various tactics to earn money while the women are seen with a sharp tongue, going after what they want. We see poverty, theft and death but somehow the use of dark humour makes it all seem not so glum. To write about the underbelly of the world so honestly and clearly comes only with acute observation. It is applaudable that in spite of there being so many characters, their personalities aren’t confusing, each carrying his/her own role seamlessly.

Imaan is so much more than just a novel. It removes the rose tinted glasses and makes one see the world for the way it is. Manoranjan Byapari writes with such conviction that I could watch the story unfold right in front of my eyes.

It makes perfect sense about this novel being shortlisted for the @thejcbprize . Also, I think it’s time I read There’s Gun Powder in the Air.