1990, Aramganj

Mohalla Aramganj is abuzz with wild conjectures about the impending arrival of L.K. Advani’s Ram Rath. Folk who could barely rouse themselves for the anti-Mandal agitation are now astir—what does their love of Ram call them to do? Conversations change, relationships are strained, new animosities crop up. How does all this ferment affect the swashbuckling ‘Mohammadiya Hindu’ Ashiq Miyan, renowned Rambhakt and proprietor of the Two-in-One Tailoring shop? In this astutely crafted novel, Rakesh Kayasth deploys a Greek chorus of people’s fears, arguments and judgements to portray the social conundrum of India’s heartland. A microcosm of India, Aramganj’s cast of small-town characters embodies caste pride, religious superstition and patriarchy, all of which have a hand in the grisly climax of this story.