SamaChakwa

Geeta Shree has given a new life to the story of Sama Chakva. Having seen and heard it in her area since childhood, the author was first mesmerized by the song and story, as we all are in childhood. Then, she was captivated by the skillfully crafted toys and the boisterous, festive games. As she grew older, after studying, reading books, exploring the world, and pursuing journalism, she realized that this story is about environmental protection, womens freedom, and the constraints of politics. It is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago in the Dwapar era. She set about writing. I believe that when dictation began, significant events were added to the original story as interpolations, even those that had become prevalent in contemporary society. Now, Krishna became the king of Dwarka, and his orders, not his requests, became the norm. Illegal logging increased, and women no longer had the freedom to move freely. The author found that the roots of all the modern eras most pressing problems lay there. She also observed that women highlighted Samas victory. Even today, she remembers it and is filled with joy. It is important to recognize oneself and understand ones surroundings. This fascinating novel, with the same dedication to writing the ancient tale, also presents todays problems with the same intensity. Thank you, Geeta Shree!Padma Shri Usha Kiran Khan, bilingual writer and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient