"It was a wonderful experience interacting with you and appreciate the way you have planned and executed the whole publication process within the agreed timelines.”
Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
‘Devoid of Shelter’, the fourth volume in the long fiction series ‘Hypocrisy & Reality’ furthers the journey of the protagonist into the world where he discovered to his dismay that he had no place on the globe which he could call as his home; he had no place of his own where he could take shelter during the day, and during the night. He somehow makes do with seeking shelter with the relatives – maternal chiefly; not as a transitory phenomenon, but for good, until he himself took command of his life, snatching himself away from the indolent lifestyle of his parents. He also discovered during the refuge that however meritorious one might be, without the good base of ancestry, one is not considered as such. Roti, Kapdaa and Makaan are said to be the quintessence of life, of which, none was affordable to the protagonist during the regime of one’s parents.
'Videh' Arvind Kumar
'Videh' Arvind Kumar
In variegated genre he has composed as many as 24 books so far, of which, 14 are in English and 10 in Hindi. Among the Hindi books, there are 03 story anthologies (Anapadh Lipi; Paashaan Yug; Nisarg); 03 poetry anthologies (Aaart Gaan; Kaal Krandan; Ananubhoot Kaal); 01 drama (Ambedkar Smriti); 01 collection of select poetic pieces (Praarthanaa evam Praanaansh). Aside of this, he has compiled, commented, edited and got re-published the first epic of the Khadee Bolee Hindi, the Priya Pravaas; and a book entitled ‘Mahaamuni Vaalmeeki Rachit Itihaas: Raamaayan -- Uttar Kaand’ which presents in succinct prose form the ancient history of India as narrated in the most ancient epic.
As regards English oeuvre of Videh, he has so far published 6 volumes of the long fiction series ‘Hypocrisy & Reality’ (Beyond the Pale; Wilderness of Literacy; Advent of Time; Devoid of Shelter; Price of Refuge; Hatred towards Love) with yet more planned to come. Besides, 01 Comedietta (Chambellion); 01 Short Story collection (Brainy Beasts); 01 Poetry anthology (Bewailing Muse); 01 Drama (Self-styled Sovereign, the Judiciary); 01 book based on the study of mythological volume ‘Shiv Puraan’ in the present day context (Procreation, the Adorable); 01 commentary book on the first novel – ‘A Pale View of the Hills’ -- of the 2017 Nobel Literature laureate, Kazuo Ishiguro (Nagasaki: Bomb & Aftermath) are other books.
Not only an original writer as well as thinker, but also a capable and versatile translator is Videh inasmuch as he has translated in English free verse form 02 Hindi poetry anthologies, viz. ‘Hatyaaree Sadee Mein Jeevan Kee Khoj’ of ‘Nirvikaar’ Mukesh Kumar, and ‘Adrishya Kaa Yathaarth’ of ‘Ashwaghosh’ Omprakash Sharma with the titles of the books being seriatim as ‘Search for Life’ and ‘Reality of Invisible’.
As a latest in his laurels, Videh has been honoured with their highest honour ‘Shubham Ratna’ by the institution ‘Shubham Sahitya, Kalaa Evam Sanskriti Sansthaan’ on the occasion of Hindi Divas, i.e. on 14th September, 2024.
