BOOK REVIEW “Hak Aabhalachi”
Author: Shri. Na. Pendase
Language: Marathi
Genre: Biographical Novel
Pages: 241
Cost: 200/-
Publisher: Parchure Prakashan
First Published in India: 19 March, 2007
“Hak Aabhalachi” is a biographical novel on ‘Lokmanya Tilak’. Lokmanya Tilak has been my idol from my childhood days. He is one of the top most respected, talented, larger than life, and God like personalities of Maharashtra. He is in the league of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharj for me. We still regret that there are still not enough books on Chatrapti Shivaji Maharaj. Same thing also applies for Lokmanya Tilak. There are hardly any books which elaborates the story of this Maharashtra’s Hero. Only way today’s youth is learning about him is through school books. And that is surely not enough. So when I came across this book I was overjoyed. And other reason to pick this book is that the book is penned by Shri. Na. Pendase, who is one of my favorite authors. So I had huge expectation from this book.
But book does not fulfill any of my expectation. I did not come across any new thing about Lokmanya Tilak’s life which I wasn’t already familiar of. Book is irritatingly repetitive. You will find same story repeated in every chapter. Book is not at all in the form on novel it looks like grouping of essays written on Lokmanya Tilak. As I mention earlier Shri. Na. Pendase is my favorite author. But I did find his class and quality lacking badly in this book. It may be because while writing this book he was really old as he mentioned in prologue. As a fan of his work I really feel sad to say that this is worst book written by him. And saddest thing is that it happened with the book which was based on my idol ‘Lokmanya Tilak’.
Although it is not up to the mark of best novels, youth of Maharashtra and India should read this book. And try to know the great man who served Maharashtra immensely. I hope someone will do more research on him and put light on the life of Tilak. Or after 2-3 decades Lokmanya Tilak will remain as a statue in some junction or name for any train any station any road for next generation. He will fade away from history.
If I have to rate this book I will give it 3 out of 10.
