Bhogdand by Hema Naik
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Augusto Pinto
Mar 10, 2017, 12:32:17 PM3/10/17
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The latest book that I've read is Bhogdand by Hema Naik written in Konkani in the Devanagari script.
Her husband, the celebrated Pundalik Naik is more well known but Hema is no mean writer. I've translated a story of hers named Durga which is one of the most bone chilling that I've ever read.
Literally the title Bhogdand means Punishment for Lust and it deals with the subject of the Goans who went to the Gulf around the 1970's until the mid-90s. This period is not that well documented either in fiction or otherwise and Mauzo's Carmelin is one of the few.
Often they had to toil there leaving their wives behind in Goa. Many would send remittances back to their spouses which the lovelorn wives would sometimes blow on lovers or seducers.
The central character of Bhogdand is protagonist is Leslie who is a lotus-eater who plays his guitar in the village to while away the time until he is inspired to go to Kuwait by a friend of his late father. In order to escape Goa's hopeless economy.
Once there his mother wishing to take advantage of her son's improved situation proposes marriage to the daughter of a friend who lives in penurious circumstances. However this attractive girl Gema happens to already have a lover in the college where she studies but she is obliged by her parents poverty to accept the marriage. She however never gives up her boyfriend.
The story revolves around the mother-in-law, Gema, her boyfriend Robin and poor Leslie ...
Maybe you want me to tell you the rest of the story dear GBCers and maybe you want me to tell you the rest of the story.
Well if you want this then let me know. Otherwise ta-ta-good-bye.
Best wishes
Augusto
Sent from my iPhone
Her husband, the celebrated Pundalik Naik is more well known but Hema is no mean writer. I've translated a story of hers named Durga which is one of the most bone chilling that I've ever read.
Literally the title Bhogdand means Punishment for Lust and it deals with the subject of the Goans who went to the Gulf around the 1970's until the mid-90s. This period is not that well documented either in fiction or otherwise and Mauzo's Carmelin is one of the few.
Often they had to toil there leaving their wives behind in Goa. Many would send remittances back to their spouses which the lovelorn wives would sometimes blow on lovers or seducers.
The central character of Bhogdand is protagonist is Leslie who is a lotus-eater who plays his guitar in the village to while away the time until he is inspired to go to Kuwait by a friend of his late father. In order to escape Goa's hopeless economy.
Once there his mother wishing to take advantage of her son's improved situation proposes marriage to the daughter of a friend who lives in penurious circumstances. However this attractive girl Gema happens to already have a lover in the college where she studies but she is obliged by her parents poverty to accept the marriage. She however never gives up her boyfriend.
The story revolves around the mother-in-law, Gema, her boyfriend Robin and poor Leslie ...
Maybe you want me to tell you the rest of the story dear GBCers and maybe you want me to tell you the rest of the story.
Well if you want this then let me know. Otherwise ta-ta-good-bye.
Best wishes
Augusto
Sent from my iPhone
Tamil Selvan
Nov 5, 2017, 1:17:00 PM11/5/17
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I have plan to translate this novel into Tamil language. Can you tell me the rest of the story
Tamilselvan
Tamilselvan
FM N
Nov 6, 2017, 4:47:48 AM11/6/17
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What do you mean, Augusto? How can you not tell the rest of the story?
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augusto pinto
Nov 6, 2017, 10:32:26 AM11/6/17
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Dear Tamil Selvan and Fatima,
What will I not do to satisfy your curiosity especially if you ask nicely with a please and then follow it up with a hearty Thank You!
Basically after Leslie gets married to Gema, he hardly gets any time to develop a relationship with his wife as he has to go back to Kuwait to resume work in the Arab household where he works.
In the meanwhile Gema, who married because of her parents' desire that she gets settled given their straitened circumstances resumes her relationship with the old boyfriend and they become lovers. Leslie's mother who had rushed to get him married off because she wanted a daughter in law to look after her isn't in a position to control the situation and since Leslie sends all his savings to his wife she isn't too concerned. She uses it to build a new house where she moves in with her lover and helps him to set up a business.
After the Kuwait invasion, Leslie somehow manages to make his way back to Goa where he discovers what has happened and has to reconcile himself to the situation.
Sad story and I guess it was a common enough story at the time. The novel is fairly realistic in that sense although I think that the plot could have been handled better.
Best
Augusto
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FM N
Nov 7, 2017, 10:01:10 AM11/7/17
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Thank you, Augusto!!
Best wishes,
To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/goa-book-club/CABzMD-W775bAjCnfsU6TxOC7QY0gEiqwMQ%2BZp3xi_Avjc5zpmg%40mail.gmail.com.
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