'The Dancing Boy' is a waltz of emotions

It's one of those stories that could be playing out in your neighbourhood. You would talk about Moyur and Jonali over your evening cup of tea and namkeen, feel sorry and then move to the more important topic of what to cook for dinner. This story has nothing exotic or extraordinary about it. And that's why it's so glorious and painful.

Moyur is a boy trapped in circumstance and convention. He wants to dance and dream, to see the reflection of kohl in his eyes and feel the flourish and magic of his mother's sari against his skin. He wants to be his twin sister who died before she was born. Moyna talks to him, urges him. He gives in, breaks free and regrets. He wants to overcome his oddities, living under the weight of his mother's expectations, and the perpetual nagging feeling that he failed her. Nobody understands him, but Jojo, his childhood sweetheart. But love, guilt and fate work in the most mysterious ways. Jonali's marriage changes everything.

They both move on and return to where they started. Some relations are immune to time and space. Moyur realizes he loves his wife Shiuli too. And Boshonti, his confidante, whose sorrow and loss he relates to. But the world misunderstands and stands in judgment.

'The Dancing Boy' is a waltz of emotions

Moyur, Jonali, Moyna, Boshonti and Shiuli are people you understand. You have lived parts of their story and you know life hurts. You want to reach out and tell them that things will sort themselves out. It's a story so compelling and evocative, you often put the book down because the tension overwhelms you. When you are not reading, you are thinking about what could have been.

Ishani Kar-Purkayastha has told a convincing story set in the sleepy bylanes of Kolkata without falling victim to the urge to impress with high-sounding words and concepts. A brilliant debut!

Book:The Dancing Boy; Author: Ishani Kar-Purkayastha; Published: HarperCollins; Language: English; Page: 352

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