The Sound of Silence

This collection of short stories is assiduously crafted by Ms Anupama Pattanaik on woman psychology and virtuosity, originally written in Odiya and appeared in various issues of Odiya journals. The perfect art of translation into English version by Shri Chitta Ranjan Pattanaik is manifest throughout, so much that the stories appear as if written in original English. Anupama Pattanaik has already proved herself as an accomplished story writer, highly acclaimed in the literary circle. This translated version of her short stories is an added feather in her cap. The stories verily fit into the design and shape as stated by Somerset Maugham in his book 'On literature' -"It is a piece of fiction, dealing with single incident, material or spiritual, that can be read at a sitting; it is original, it must sparkle, excite or impress, and it must have unity of effect or impression. It should move in an even line from its exposition to its close."One of the fundamental principles of story composition is that of unity, says Hudson in his book- An introduction to the study of literature. He further states "...under which head we include unity of motive, of purpose, of action and in addition, unity of impression". Anupama Pattanaik's stories adequately fit into this principle and hence engrossing. Most of the stories revolve around women-centric plots eulogizing women's emancipation. The story 'Miser' unfolds Indrani Devi's all-encompassing tacit love for the villagers. In "Repayment", the perfect depiction of an older lady's compassion and noble mode of repayment of debt by the beneficiary-the aspiring girl, is a touching tale. The issue of superstition and blind belief is deftly handled in 'Mangamma' to the reader's delight. The resilience of a devoted wife is suitably characterized in 'The Shadow' and the common trait of a devoted wife delineated magnificently.