In Black and White

In the opening pages, listeners are invited into the quiet, sun‑drenched courtyard of the Chubára of Dhunni Bhagat, a forgotten monastery in northern India where priests, mendicants, and travelers of every faith gather beneath mango trees and the calls of parrots. Through the voice of Gobind, a one‑eyed holy man with a patched, multicoloured quilt and a brass‑adorned crutch, the narrative captures the rhythm of daily rituals, the scent of incense, and the gentle humor that arises when cultures meet. The prose is richly descriptive, setting a vivid stage for the stories that will unfold.

Beyond the tranquil setting, the work explores the tensions between native perspectives and colonial viewpoints, as a young kerani (scribe) records tales of life, death, love and fate for a modest living. Gobind’s sharp observations and his lively storytelling style hint at deeper questions about belief, identity, and the gaps that separate peoples even when they share the same space. Listeners will find a blend of lyrical description and thoughtful commentary that invites reflection on the universal threads woven through a world of diverse traditions.