Short stories entertain but they also challenge and inspire. Preserving the past with folk tales and embracing the future with contemporary fiction. Showcasing India in all it complex and diverse forms.
Earlier this month, I shared a list of my favorite short story collections by Indian authors. Thank you for the overwhelming response. As promised, today I share another list of my favorite short story collections beyond the usual suspects. Some hard-hitting ones and some relatively lighter reads that I enjoyed.
On the top of the list is a difficult but important read.
Jevha Mi Jaat Chorli Hoti, published in 1963 in Marathi, is a debut collection of 10 short stories by Baburao Bagul. Stories that revolutionized Dalit literature.
Translated into English by Jerry Pinto, When I Hid My Caste is a raw, no-holds-barred depiction of the caste system. The pain, horror, and rage of the Dalit experience. Stories of revolt, pain, and dissent. If you want to educate yourself about the inhuman oppression and exploitation faced by Dalits, this is the first book you need to pick up.
Women are always the real victims of war. But they are not always defeated. Originally written in Assamese, Written in Tears is a collection of 8 short stories from a landscape scarred by conflict. And its impact on women and children.
A newlywed woman and her family dealing with the aftermath of her insurgent brother-in-law’s absence. An intellectual paying the price for speaking up. A woman forced to cut her hair for defying orders. A woman brutally gang-raped by her so-called protectors. With a hint of magic realism, the author weaves an unforgettable collection of stories. Some that tug at your heartstrings. Stories that stay with you forever.
The Story Project is a theme-based anthology series by Tell Me Your Story. Currently in its 14th iteration, it is an attempt to inspire social and behavioral change through storytelling and literature.
Disobedient Girls (The Story Project Book 8) is a collection of short stories and poems that celebrate brave and outspoken women. From an uneducated mother who wishes a better life for her daughter to the feminist retelling of Taming of the Shrew to Abbakka Chowta who history seems to have forgotten.
Be sure to check out the video links at the end of the book for panel discussions. I would recommend checking out their complete series. Disobedient Girls and Devi continue to be my favorites.
Rajasthan has a rich tradition of oral storytelling. Folk tales passed down through generations. Vijaydan Detha is considered one of the foremost storytellers of all time. Painstakingly noting down the folk stories with a dash of his interpretation in some.
Timeless Tales from Marwar is a hand-picked compilation from his much-celebrated Batan ri Phulwari (Garden of Tales), a fourteen-volume collection curated over a span of nearly fifty years.
From handsome prices to evil witches to clever insects, it has it all. Your window to the world of Rajasthani folk culture.
You might know the author Jatin Bhasin from his Twitter account @TheDilliMirror where he shares short horror fiction.
The Haunting of Delhi City is a collection of 9 horror stories set in Delhi. From Connaught Place to Mehrauli. From Lutyens’ Delhi to a nondescript tree in Dwarka, Sector 9. Tales quintessionally Delhi. Tales sure to give you goosebumps.
Urban legends or true? We never know. If you are a Delhi-ite like me, you would surely not see the places the same way ever again.
Bombay Balchao just grabs you in. Set in Cavel, a tiny Catholic neighborhood on Bombay’s D’Lima Street, it is a collection of interlinked short stories spanning seven decades. The transformation of Bombay into Mumbai.
It is as much about the history of the city’s Catholic population (East Indians, Goans, and Mangaloreans) as it is about Mumbai. You identify with the existential issues: shared spaces, rent issues, and water fights. A brilliant debut novel that is an unforgettable read. Do pick it up if you haven’t already.
Sometimes you have a book on your TBR for the longest time and when you finally get to it, you wonder why you didn’t pick it up earlier. Valmiki’s Women was one such book for me.
A mythological fiction retelling, it is a peek into the thought process of women in Ramayan. The repercussions of their actions. Kaikeyi, Manthara, Meenakshi (Shrupnakha), Tataka, and the rarely discussed Shanta (Ram’s sister).
I was pleasantly surprised that the author did not go the tried and tested way of painting the good all-black to absolve the antagonists of the sins. Do give it a read.
True to its name – the colors of Himachal. Edited by Vandana Bhagra, the duo-lingual Himachal ke Rang: Katha Pachisi is a collection of 25 short stories in Hindi and English written by Himachal’s writers above the age of 40.
Stories on real-life experiences based in Himachal. Short stories around a mature range of topics that are not necessarily feel-good but are definitely thought-provoking. Stories based on mythology. Uplifting stories on women’s empowerment. Slice of life stories and those around Himachal’s culture and traditions. The reality of women’s education, poverty, exploitation, and ecological issues.
The stories are also available as podcast episodes on Keekli’s Spotify channel Keekli – Little Feet, Big Strides. The narration is on point and I particularly enjoyed the Hindi narration by Kuldeep Verma.
There are still so many books to talk about. So many to explore. I hope to continue sharing them. What have you been reading lately? Which book from the list are you planning to pick up soon? Do share in the comments below.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
I’m participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.
Photo credit: Canva.com
June 21, 2024 @ 11:04 am
Bombay Balchao seems intriguing. I should get my hands on this short story for sure. Maybe I can relate to the book.
June 24, 2024 @ 11:56 am
Should get my hands on few of them. I think I read just one from the list. Liked the short and crisp suggestions
June 24, 2024 @ 2:41 pm
This list is amazing! I’m always looking to diversify my reading, and these Indian short story collections sound perfect. I’m especially excited to dive into the works of new authors. Thanks for curating such a rich and diverse selection!
June 24, 2024 @ 6:21 pm
Wow I love reading short stories and these books seem to be an asset to themselves. I am surely going to buy these books and read them.
June 25, 2024 @ 6:42 am
Difficult to decide which one to begin with. But would certainly like to read When I Hid My Caste and Bombay Balchao. I have read very few regional stories, so all these sound truly interesting.
June 25, 2024 @ 4:08 pm
A long list of Short story books you shared in this list and for the first time I found a list will all Indian author books and I just loved it. Well from this list my first pick will be Disobedient Girls…. I liked the title as I am one. 🙂
June 26, 2024 @ 10:40 am
Another lovely collection of Indian short stories. I’ve already read (listened to Audiobooks) Anand Neelakantan’s book that you recommend. And now I have purchased Timeless Tales from Marwar. Thank you again for sharing.
June 26, 2024 @ 1:12 pm
This is a lovely list of short story reads. I am a good girl so Disobedient girl intrigues me also Bombay Balchao. Nice short crisp reviews you have given to each one.
June 26, 2024 @ 3:55 pm
I’ve read few stories from Timeless Tales of Marwar. Regional literature beautifully captures the rustic flavour of the land and gives a glimpse into their lives. Curious about Valmiki’s women.
June 27, 2024 @ 2:49 pm
Fun fact: Jane Borges was my senior at university where we were both pursuing our master’s in literature.
I’m yet to read the book myself but know that she’s a fabulous writer and of course the book is highly recommended by multiple and reliable sources
June 27, 2024 @ 4:04 pm
Every book is intresting. It is really difficult to choose one. But still I would like to check out first one jeva me jaat lapavali. Overall love all collection. Short stories are always awesome.
June 27, 2024 @ 6:06 pm
Bombay Balchao sounds like my kind of read – interlinked stories spanning decades? Yes please! This list is amazing! So many great options to explore the diversity of Indian short stories. Thanks for sharing!
June 27, 2024 @ 11:24 pm
I used to be a fan of novels until recently I Have started appreciating short stories more because of time crunch. This list is going to be really useful for me.
June 28, 2024 @ 2:00 pm
As always, thanks Ritu for the recommendations. The TBR list is growing, I’m afraid. You must write a post on how you manage to read so many books in a go.
June 28, 2024 @ 2:37 pm
This is an equally impressive list Ritu… In fact going by the stories, I like these ones more. You have written about some of these books earlier too and I’d found them intriguing even then. Also, I always feel happy to see Sonia’s name pop up and I love reading her stories. The last time you wrote about ‘The Disobedient Girls,’ I had thought I will read it, but forgot. Now I will read it if my reading catches up pace.
June 28, 2024 @ 3:05 pm
A wide range of stories. I enjoyed reading the horror story by proxy. I am going to pick up Bombay Balchao soon. You have been after me for a long time to read it.
June 28, 2024 @ 3:20 pm
You have highlighted so great short reads though I have only read Bombay balchao. A great book and the author pretty unknown has done a fab job in highlighting the Bombay for a time when Bombay was called Bombay.
June 29, 2024 @ 12:05 am
That is a nice spread of Indian short stories, each inspiring, but choosing one is entirely tricky. Short stories are compact, allowing the readers to absorb the narrative wholly. Also, writing one is a different ball game.
I recently took an interest in short stories and got a collection from the library near my home- African Women’s Writings, first published in 1993. It is an anthology of writing by women in Africa from different parts of Africa. It is fascinating to read what women wrote about their varied life experiences. I am still reading it.
June 29, 2024 @ 11:55 am
I need to share this list with my father who is an avid reader. Kudos to you for curating the list of these thought-provoking books.
July 4, 2024 @ 7:31 pm
Interesting collection you’ve shared. I never gave much thought about literary works on Indians but its not surprising that you guys have such great ones.
August 1, 2024 @ 2:19 am
This is an interesting collection you have recommended. and i havent heard of any of them, so it will be interesting to check them out.
August 11, 2024 @ 12:00 am
I really admire your book recommendations. Though I haven’t read any of these. Will like to add call of these to my Tbr. Thanks for sharing.
August 30, 2024 @ 6:53 pm
As always you have curated an excellent list of books. I had only heard of one book from this list but I’m intrigued about so many!