Set in the last century, starting from the mid-thirties to the end of the millennium, this is a story of a Marathi Brahmin Family that goes through many ups and downs through the sands of time. Over the years due to variety of reasons, Brahmins have lost their foothold in the same land they call their own, starting from social boycott for their religious fanaticism, coming out of their vanity about superiority over the other castes, to the total devastation after Gandhi's assassination and land reforms.
The matriarch of the family, though undereducated by today's standards, is worldly-wise and carries the burden of entire families from both sides courageously and comes out valiant in her efforts to keep the dignity of her husband's family intact. She has a secret hidden deep down in the labyrinths of her mind that, if surfaced, would have not only devastated the entire family but would have tarnished the image held so far in high esteem. While doing so, she has to make many sacrifices on her personal front, which she braves nonchalantly without compromising either on her poise or intelligence.
All in all, The Heir is the story of marginalized Brahmins in today's context, who, too, had to face the hell to reach where they are today through their perseverance and intelligence!
About me, what should I say? I am in my late 60s. As a practicing Consultant Internist, M.D., F. C. P. S. for the last four decades, it was tough to find time to jot down such a lengthy narration, but I made it happen by being on the computer whenever time permitted, during the day or late at night. Though I always was inclined to write from the school days, maybe the genes were always there, but the right time had not come. Many of my stories were published in Marathi magazines or Sunday editions of popular newspapers. And then, the M.D. happened and everything stopped until 2002. I was so busy with the practice that I hardly had time even to think outside the box.
One night before retiring, the lives of the people around me started encircling in my subconscious and it made me realize that it could be a good book and has to reach out to the broader audience.
When I started penning it down, layers after layers of the era gone by started unfolding, which made me do a little research on many a topic and made me wonder, Was it like this, really?
That's me. Inquisitive, maybe more than curious, and being happy in my spheres of life, a large chunk of which is taken by needy patients and the rest is spent either in painting or playing with the grandson!
Though being born in middle class Brahmin family I was not aware of the caste system ill I entered The Medical School. Till then it was, either you are a Brahmin or not. The vanity of to be born in the higher caste started vanishing as I ventured on the journey that's life. Along the way I made many friends who came from different strata of society, acquaintances belonging to totally distinct milieu of society which made me the person what I am today. My profession was mostly responsible for it. Much mellower, open minded, developing ability to make friends easily but also loner at times.
This book is borne out of the circumstances and events happening around me. Most of the authors draw many things from their own life, this being my first, it's more so in my case.
Some of the incidences are my own experiences while some have been narrated by my mother, when I was young. Especially the ones around the time of Mr. M.K.Gandhi assassination.
Petty rivalry amongst the sub castes was daily routine, any simple conversation not complete without looking down upon the rival.
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