Atithi Devo Bhav

The work of the acclaimed storyteller Abdul Bismillah is deeply rooted in todays pressing social issues, and the stories included in Atithi Devo Bhava further deepen this creative commitment. Entering this world of stories, we become acquainted with characters from various sections of Indian society, rituals, and traditions, who could easily be described as human values rather than individuals. Among these characters, Alia from Aliya Dhobi Aur Paav Bhar Gosht, Khudabaksh from Punyabhoj, Bhunesar from Khal Chhikana Wale, Kamali from Nar Leela, Mahadev from Sulh, Sarwar from Yeh Koi Ant Nahin, and Ghulam Chacha from Dusra Sadma are particularly noteworthy. While these characters may have diverse appearances and behaviors, their anger and struggle against the inhumane systems operating around them are unified. The way they perceive and recognize the anti-human nature of the current system makes not only them but also these stories unforgettable. Furthermore, some of these stories also reveal characters who are deeply engrossed in debauchery and, in the context of human nature driven by modern living conditions, create irony on many levels. Indeed, for a direct encounter with our present, these stories can be accepted with the same ease with which they were written.