Saat Sau Bees Kadam (Hindi)

 Saat Sau Bees Kadam (Hindi)
Amrita Pritam 
2014
Bhartiya Gyanpith
pp. 266

A collection of short stories by Amrita Pritam like much of Pritam’s work revolves around the undefined aspects of life. I love how she defies logic, social boundaries, norms, and embraces everyone and everything as part of the normal. In this time of conflict and strife, I think reading her work can help in becoming more open and accepting of others. 

Pritam is the only exceptional writer in whose work I love short stories as much as I love full length novels. Each of the stories is a gem. Besides having busy days, this book took me so long to complete because each story left me so enthralled that I spent days just thinking about the characters, the situations, and the emotion in it. I read several of the stories more than once. And I intend to read them again.

In this collection, Junglee Booti and Pachhees, Chhabis aur Sataais Janwari are my favourites. I have read both at least four times. Amrita Pritam has the unique quality of making you relate with stories that have nothing in common with your life. I do not identify with any of her characters, but I feel a part of the stories. If you have read her work, I don’t think there is much that I need to say. If you haven’t, please do read.