Friday, August 22, 2008

Twilight in Delhi by Ahmed Ali

Ahmed Ali was a novelist, social critic, scholar, diplomat, and poet. In 1932 he and a few other Indian writers published Angaray, a collection of short stories in Urdu. This was noteworthy, because at the time, the British Crown was trying to Anglicize the people of India. In the words of one British official, the goal was to produce "a class of persons, Indian in blood and color, but English in taste and character, in morals and intellect." Of course proselytizing Christian zealots were at the forefront of this movement, doing "the work of God." With their help, British practices were promoted, Indian customs were denigrated, and English was made the official language. In this political climate, it is no wonder that the writers of Angaray were labeled dissidents and agitators, and that the book was banned by the British Government in India. That same year, Ali co-founded the All-India Progressive Writers' Movement, a movement which helped to birth many novels by Indian writers. Twilight in Delhi was one such novel.

Ali had a great deal of trouble getting Twilight in Delhi published. The printers found many parts of the book subversive and refused to print these sections. For instance, what Ali called the War of Independence of 1857, the British Crown had labeled a mutiny. Oddly enough, Virginia Woolf came to Ali's aid and helped push the book through publication without any changes being made. Go, Virginia Woolf!

Twilight in Delhi follows one family living in the city during the first decade of the twentieth century. The book is separated into four parts, each about a different period in the life of this family. Through detailed accounts of weddings, funerals, and political protests, you learn about the customs and mores of Indian life during that time.

There is truly an ensemble cast, although the son Asghar plays a larger role than others. However, the seasons play as big a role as any person in the story. Often a description of the weather sets the scene for the upcoming chapter. And as the chapter comes to a close so does the day or season. Here is where the poet in Ali can really be seen. He describes the oppressive loo that blows through Delhi, the sand storms that rush through the city, and the way the city comes alive at night as it gets cooler. His descriptions are so vivid that you almost feel you have sweltered in the heat and tasted the grit of sand between your teeth.

Twilight in Delhi is about things coming to an end. The patriarch of the family in the twilight of his life, as he succumbs to age and ailment. The waning of Indian traditions and customs, slowly replaced by those of the Western world. The twilight of the city that Ali loved. The twilight of Delhi.

10 comments:

gypsy said...

Looks nice...

I have noted that Delhi has been the background or even the story teller for many authors, seems like its a place where great stories happen :)

Keep blogging

Amanda said...

This sounds like a fascinating book. I'm adding it to my to-read pile.

Carlton Farmer said...

It's one of my favorites of the year. Thanks for the comment, d sinner.

Unknown said...

nice book.. i thin ki will pick it up sometime..

Christopher said...

Carlton, you are killing me. This book sounds neat.

Zack S. said...

Gotta ask: how'd you hear of it? I came across it in William Dalrymp's City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi, which I recommend.

Roomy Naqvy said...

Twilight in Delhi is a great work. I have taught it and its really fascinating.

Roomy Naqvy
http://issuesinacademics.blogspot.com

lavanya said...

The book is a treasure! I was 13 when i read ite, everytime i think of something old and beautiful, the images that floated around in my mind when i read the book keeps recurring. Its a rare experience...

Feather Knox said...

is this book available in eBook form? I really want it to be in my Mobile's eBook library. If someone find it then please do send me at: aufeather|8|gmail|dot|com

Unknown said...

Some great work by a great writer .... Read it just unconsiously but indeed it was a wonderful experince to go through it all the way .....