VOICE OF FOREST Joriya Parmeshvar

This is a work of fiction. But let’s make no mistake. As Bhagwan Gidwani in his superbly written Return of the Aryans writes ‘fiction is not falsehood’ this is not a fabricated story. Like Gidwani who collected his material from all over the world and carried out research that would put a historian to shame Arun Vaghela has spent years in writing this slim volume. Delving deep into the dusty murky rooms of archives and libraries to lay his hand on anything that could illuminate the already brumous character of Joriya Parmeshvar mirroring the misty hills and verdurous jungles of Jambughoda in the Panchmahals. He has done fieldwork for decades in the region collecting songs ballads anecdotes sayings related with Joriya. Tied as his hands were with the dominant epistemology of discipline of history Professor Vaghela chose to tell the story differently and the result is in your hand. Written in an engaging captivating style backed when necessary by sources this book tells the story of a young tribal leader who rose against the mighty and crafty British and was martyred if only he wanted to see his land forest and people free. Inspired by true events I am confident this life story of a freedom fighter who knew next to nothing about India will give the reader a new view on tribal history. Dr. Hemant Dave