Antaral

There are some relationships that cannot be given a name. But these nameless relationships are often more subtle and profound than others. Antaral is the story of such a relationship between a man and a woman. Despite their physical and mental expectations, they actually harbor a different expectationan expectation that can be fulfilled simply by each others presencethough even they themselves are unaware of this reality. There are two empty spaces in both their livesShyamas, her husbands, and Kumars, a thin, pale girl with whom he once contemplated settling down. The demands of these empty spaces prevent them from accepting the naturalness of this relationship. The longing to be something more than what they are to each other is the gap between them. Antaral is an inner story of modern human relationships, written in contemporary language. For the first time, todays complex states of mind have been so effortlessly crafted. In this respect, this novel is one of the authors greatest achievements. Just as she had been speaking and continued to speak, she remained silent for a long time after falling silent, perhaps expecting him to speak. But he couldnt quite put what he was feeling into words, let alone thoughts. What Shyama had said had deepened his sadness. But was that sadness more about Shyama or himself? The feeling he felt for Shyama was one of anger, beyond sympathy and pity. What had made her cling so desperately to her life of three and a half years ago, that the only meaning she had today was in that context? And was that clinging to the truth of her life or a stubborn way to escape it? He couldnt quite place himself in all of Shyamas struggle. Did she truly consider herself to have some kind of relationship with him, or was that also a device, merely to fill an absence with her presence?From this very book.