Raag Darbari  (English, Paperback, Shukla Shrilal)

Raag Darbari is a novel that brings to light the problems faced by the common man in the Indian society post independence.

Summary Of The Book

Raag Darbari’s plot is set in Shivpalganj, which is a small village located in Uttar Pradesh. This village appears to be no different from other villages that span the country. The narrator of this novel is Ranganath, who is a research student of History. He comes to visit his uncle. His uncle serves as the head of the village and his supporters are placed at key locations in the village.

Vaidyaji, Ranganath's uncle, is a highly corrupt ruler who has defeated every individual who tried to stand against him. Vaidyaji dominates the intermediate college, the village council, the grain cooperative, and other village institutions. The readers are also introduced to Langad, who desires to carry out dealings in an honest manner. He represents the common man and has to bow down to the corrupt village government for getting the smallest of jobs done.

Things take a turn for Vaidyaji when some people try to bring him down from his influential position. This leads to a series of events that will keep the readers glued to the very end. After seeing these events taking place before his eyes, Ranganath's opinion of the village changes completely. The book unearths the difficulties faced by the common man in the society at the hands of corrupt leaders.

This book was greatly appreciated by its readers and it has also fetched Sukla the Sahitya Akademi Award, which is the highest literary award in India.

About Shrilal Shukla

Shrilal Shukla was an author.

Shukla has also written Babbar Singh Aur Uske Saathi, Seemayein Tootati Hain, and Sooni Ghaati Ka Sooraj.

Shukla was born on 31st December, 1925, in Atrauli, Lucknow. He completed his degree from Allahabad University and then held the position of a Provincial Civil Services officer. He was then promoted to the IAS. Through the course of his literary career, Shukla wrote more than 25 books, which have been translated to English and 15 native languages. For his immense contribution towards Indian literature, Shukla was presented with the Padma Bhushan in 2008. He was also presented with the Vyas Samman Award and the Jnanpith Award. Sukla also served on the Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi. He passed away on 28th October, 2011, in Lucknow.