On The Ganga Ghat

The book explores the play of life as it unfolds in Benares, the holy city to die in. And so it is that to the Ganga ghats in Benares come Rajahs and princes from Bengal, beggars, Katiawari merchants, courtesans, crooks, simpletons and charlatans- seeking meaning in life or redemption in death. No less varied are the creatures of Benares themselves, the gentle Bramchari Madhoba and his Mohini, a female presence 'something more than a goddess, a woman', Bhim, the sage parrot, the Brahmini cow Jhaveri Bai, bounteous concubines like Nanna, hard swearing, mantra chanting sadhus laughing at the foibles of others.

This is a collection of 11 stories and the prose is exquisite , chiseled, sparse yet evocative, and the result is mesmerising.