Review:

What comes to your mind when you hear or read the word Muawza (Compensation)?

“ Pain is perpetual; like the molten lava, waiting in the deep caverns of a volcano.”

~ From the book Muawza by Sanjiv Priyadarshi.

The quote above captures the enduring nature of pain. It reminds us that Everything in life comes with a price. Be it love or death. Our lives are filled with stories that teach us to value life and the people around us more. 

I love reading short stories and my book 83 of 2023 is a collection of simple, thought-provoking short stories, capturing the snippets of the life of ordinary people. The stories left me with many questions, and a realization to not take things for granted.

How each of them is different yet similar, celebrating the shades of Life. Sanjiv Priyadarshi’s ‘Muawza’ is a collection of Eleven short stories revolving around the themes of love, loss, friendship and starting afresh. These stories are raw, honest, unique and beautiful in their own way.

Sanjiv, with his words, adds depth to the stories making readers seek the answers to the questions we all try to evade but face eventually. What I loved most is the way Sanjiv here balances the stories with happy and sad endings like the two sides of the same coin.

With compelling plots and gripping narratives, each story is different yet similar, each of them portraying a shade of life. Each story is intricately woven, leaving readers spellbound and yearning for more. We find ourselves in a plethora of emotions as we read them.

From the very title, Sanjiv ignites curiosity in readers’ minds, making them ponder the stories within. These tales are simple yet rich, brimming with emotions and unexpected twists. Sanjiv’s writing style mesmerising and leaves a lasting impression in the minds of the readers. The stories are fast-paced and filled with drama. 

One of the strengths of Muawza lies in the depth and development of its characters. Sanjiv brings the characters to life, allowing readers to connect with their experiences and empathize with their struggles. Sanjiv’s keen observations of human values shine through each tale, making it different and unique in its own way. 

We witness the value of compensation in the lives of the less fortunate through Haria’s story ‘Muawza’. In ‘Let’s Begin afresh’ we see how Mother’s love is unconditional, even if it means going away from home while stories like ‘Sweet Rice Dumplings’ and ‘Elixir of Life’ celebrate the bliss of true friendship. In ‘A Father’s Diary’, we see how our parents crush their dreams for us.

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We see how hope keeps a person going and how karma comes back in ‘Crime & Karma’. ‘Jhumru Bhaiya ki Shaadi’ and ‘Blessings’ teach us to not judge anyone so quickly as god has his own way of teaching us.

Among the collection, my personal favourites include ‘Jhumru Bhaiya ki Shaadi,’ ‘Crime & Karma, ‘Sweet Rice Dumplings’ and ‘Blessings’. These stories hold moments of joy that will stay with me forever.

As we immerse ourselves in the stories, we empathize with the characters and reflect on life. These stories here are entertaining with a blend of hope and darkness, reminding us about the concept of Karma and how our actions are accounted for. They depict how it differs for each one of us. Sanjiv takes us on an emotional journey exploring various elements of human values. 

Each story concludes differently with a satisfying climax conveying a beautiful message. Some will bring smiles with happy endings while some will make us seek answers, each of them making us feel content at the end. In all, Muawza is a brilliant read for those who enjoy short stories. The stories are relatable, and concise, and serve as a reminder as it celebrates the complexities of life. A Delightful read.

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