Tamas

Tamas in either Rockwell's translation or the original Hindi remains an essential text for the times' Nilanjana Roy Business Standard 'Tamas is a prophetic warning against the use of religion as a weapon to gain and perpetuate political power' GOVIND NIHALANI In a city in undivided Punjab Nathu a tanner is bribed to kill a pig. When the animal's carcass is discovered on the steps of the local mosque the next morning simmering tensions explode into an orgy of bloodlust. But in the midst of the ensuing carnage despite the darkness of the times rare moments of unexpected friendship and love also surface.Winner of the Sahitya Aakdemi Award Sahni's iconic novel about the Partition of India tells the tale of an unfolding riot from different vantage points. In Daisy Rockwell's definitive translation this magnificent work comes vividly to life.'Tamas drove the point home that ordinary people want to live in peace' Guardian Review Tamas drove the point home that ordinary people want to live in peace.GUARDIAN[Sahni's] immense popularity was a reward for his literary merits--his sharp wit his gentle irony his all-pervasive humour his penetrating insight into character his mastery as raconteur and his profound grasp of the yearnings of the human heart.OUTLOOKTamas is more than a work of literature . . . It is a prophetic warning against the use of religion as a weapon to gain and perpetuate political power. -- GOVIND NIHALANISatire is Bhisham Sahni's strong suit . . . Empathy with the downtrodden is evident in his work.THE HINDUA first-hand account of Partition.INDIAN EXPRESSTamas in either Rockwell's translation or the original Hindi remains an essential text for the times. -- NILANJANA ROYBUSINESS STANDARD About the Author Bhisham Sahni (1915-2003) was an iconic writer who transformed the landscape of Hindi literature. His oeuvre encompassed novels plays short stories and essays. Tamas his best known novel won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1975 and was subsequently adapted into a National Award-winning film by Govind Nihalani. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1998 and the Shlaka Award the Delhi government's highest literary prize in 1999.Daisy Rockwell is an artist writer and translator living in northern New England USA. Apart from her essays on literature and art she has writtenUpendranath Ashk A Critical BiographyThe Little Book of Terror and the novelTaste. Her highly acclaimed translations include among others Upendranath Ashk'sFalling Walls and Bhisham Sahni'sTamas published in Penguin Classics.