Melodies of Muglan

PANKAJ GIRI

Melodies of Muglan is a collection of short stories set in Darjeeling. In her note at the beginning of the book, the author, Ms. Thapa, mentions how the name 'Muglan' was given to India by the Nepalese during the Mughal rule and how the stories reflect the varied and intriguing experiences of Nepali people based in Darjeeling.

The first story, Kukkur, encapsulates the book's essence with the infusion of local culture, traditions, and way of life in a coming-of-age story about a relatable female character. The subsequent stories 'Dastoor' and 'Boksi' add other distinct flavors to the collection. I especially liked 'Boksi' and its sad ending reflecting the unfair treatment meted out to women who are believed to be witches and their families.

I couldn't quite relate to the story Rani as I found it a generic fantasy story, seemingly unrelated to Darjeeling and unlike the realistic stories before it. However, Children of the Moon, despite having the fantasy element to it, was much more absorbing. Smartphone and Professor are two of my favorites, with their relatable protagonists and intriguing, unique stories. I especially loved 'Smartphone' and the beautiful growth of the protagonist over a few days. There are a few stories I didn't enjoy that much, but I feel that the strength of the stories like Smartphone, Professor, and Children of the Moon compensate for that.

The language is a bit of a mixed bag. Ms. Thapa has a good command of the language, and her narration shines in places with excellent wordplay and emotional resonance. However, I did find a few grammatical and punctuation errors, and the book would have benefited from one round of editing.

Overall, Melodies of Muglan is a good collection of stories by a talented writer that deserves a read. I recommend it to readers who enjoy stories highlighting exotic customs and traditions in a unique setting.

3.7 stars from my side.