Book Review #40: Ladies' Tailor by Priya Hajela

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“Ladies’ Tailor” is a type of book, which you can pick up any time and will be engrossed in it like a real spectator of the whole journey. This is not a regular story of post-partition scenes of India and Pakistan. You will get to encounter different stages of refugee’s life, the conditions of natives and their righteous demands, the ultimate paradigm of neighborhood, the uncalled broken relations and the rise of new entrepreneurship of Indian economies. 


The story revolves around a refugee, Gurudev who showcased the real market of livelihood across the borders. Through his eyes, you can see the hypothetical social stratification, happening around the people of east and west Punjab. How the situations were contradictory for both sides of the boundaries. How people were killed just on the basis of their genetic labels and structures. Author has shown an abundance of guts through Gurudev, how he had managed to move to another so-called-new-country, and made new arrangements from scratch.  The amount of political clashes on little things like ration cards, camps for refugees etc. are shown clearly with fictional facts and observations. 


Also, the author has evidently presented the key role of man and woman, played in those times. At one place, where men were supposed to look out for external arrangements, women were playing a crucial responsibility of maintaining the sustainable chores. From the small-scale mundane jobs like toilet, bathing etc, to large-scale duty of earning every penny, everything has been demonstrated to highlight the lives of refugees(in their own country!). 


I liked the inner essence of those partition times that the author has presented. Every detail of the royal military and the war time conditions referred to two phases of Indian citizens - one who were against British rulers from the starting, and other who were working under them and living a privileged life like them. But after partition, both of the categories suffered the same consequences. 


“Ladies Tailor” is not only the story of partition times, but also the common man’s struggles. How Gurudev set up a new life, how he failed to hold on to his family, how he switched his life to new business in which he had no knowledge, how he joined the cohort to fulfill an under-cover mission. You have to read the full story to get the gist of the main narration. 


The additional fact of contentment is the beauty of Indian and Pakistan’s geographic land, the similar tastes of food and market, and the bond between people. I enjoyed this the most. 


Literally, I am totally impressed by Priya Hajela’s selection of this story, along with the actual happening of the historical events. Her choice of words are apt and nostalgic. 


I totally recommend this book to everyone. Just read it, you will not regret, I promise. 

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