The pastoral world of Mal Singh’s village is a far cry from the cacophony of the chaotic city his son lives in, but both are bound by the common urge to find the idyllic; the pleasantness that everyone deserves irrespective of their castes. Alms in the Name of a Blind Horse is the English translation of the Punjabi modern classic, Anhe Ghore Da Daan. Originally written by the eminent author Gurdial Singh, the translation has been done by Rana Nayar.
The novel describes the caste atrocities on Dalits in a village that ruptures their sense of identity and belonging to a community. The infiltration of urban life blurs their understanding of what they thought was their own. It takes us to the interiors of Punjab and lends an insightful glimpse into its feudal system and hierarchy enjoyed by the rich landlords. It poignantly depicts the harsh reality that poor peasants live to make the two ends meet.
This is not only about the moral fabric of a corrupted society and the inequitable working class. It delves deeper into institutions such as the family and explores a range of sentiments. It’s a learning lesson more for the urban population and seeks to sensitise people about the predicament of the unsung and underprivileged in the remote locations of the country.
This original 1976 novel was adapted into a film in 2011 by Gurvinder Singh. The film, also titled Anhe Ghore Da Daan, was awarded the Best Feature Film at the 59th National Film Awards of India and won the Best Direction and Best Cinematography awards.
The book betrays beating around the bush. It’s hard hitting in its own ways and effectively provokes the readers to lament — and question — the unjust, regressive arrangements still prevalent in the country. As the villagers run from pillar to post trying to resolve their crisis, the frustration is palpable and effectively meets the reader. The agony of a family when its home is demolished is well conveyed; with all shreds of what the family owned crumbling to dust.
On the other hand is the city where a migrant rickshaw puller tries to find means for survival. As markers of modernity like battery operated rickshaws are preferred by people, the manually driven rickshaw pullers wonder where fate is taking them.
Padma Shri awardee Gurdial Singh who passed away in August this year was one of the most loved Punjabi writers. His works emphasised the plight of the socio-economically exploited people in rural Punjab. Most reputed for his novels and short stories, Singh was originally from Bathinda and he never moved out of his hometown where he taught in the regional centre of Punjabi University. Nayar is a translator of Punjabi poetry and short fiction into English. He has also been a part of major theatre productions and teaches at the Department of English, Punjab University, Chandigarh.
The title caters to an ancient myth. During samudra manthan or the ‘Churning of the Ocean’, the asuras (demons) were at the receiving end of lord Vishnu’s lack of generosity. The demons receive an unfair amount of amrit. It is supposed that dalits are the descendants of the demons. This novel underlines that just as the demons were dependent on the uninformed and discreet allowance of lord Vishnu, the modern Dalits also are entangled in the web of whims and fancies as decided by the feudal lords. On the days of the lunar and solar eclipse, the Dalits go around and ask for alms in the name of a blind horse. This novel revolves around one such lunar eclipse day and the chaos that unfold in the people’s lives that day.
It’s ironic as well as tragic that a novel written about the caste system 40 years ago still holds so true to postmodern India. That we have not moved away from old clasps of ignorance and insensitivity is appalling.
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