Book Review – Beneath Divided Skies – A journey of souls amidst the turmoil of partition
Natasha Sharma’s Beneath Divided Skies is a poignant and meticulously researched investigation of the human cost of the Partition of India. The novel goes deeper into the pulse of this disturbed time, bringing out an imaginative but horrifying picture of a nation which is torn.
At the centre of the narrative is Satya, a young girl whose life has shattered because of the partition. From there, she goes onto become a strong and brave rescuer after living all her life in fear. At a deeper level, Sharma shows us how Satya transforms from being a terrified teenage girl to become a determined woman and we can all relate to in one way or another.
“Beneath Divided Skies” captures the period so accurately because of the thorough research done by the author. Natasha’s vivid descriptions of community violence, the plight of displaced refugees as well as socio-political environment of the time are both painful and captivating. She strikes a balance has been able to interweave social history with the tales of her characters producing a multifaceted and engrossing reading experience.
The story of Satya and Iqbal who fall in love with each other adds the layer of complexity to the already intriguing plot. The couple survives through hard times and thus stands for hope amid human suffering and this serves as a poignant counterpoint to Partition’s greater chronicle. Natasha explores these challenges faced by the young lovers enduring the crossfire of a divided nation.
Although it is a heart wrenching picture of mankind’s agony, the book still manages to give one a ray of hope. Satya’s unflinching commitment towards releasing women from the clutches of kidnapping and selling indicates the never-die spirit in people. How women like Amritpreet who run the Panah ashram and Prerna come to rescue the women affected will linger in the hearts of readers. On the contrary, this story captures other themes such as bravery, tenderness and everlasting human bond that are always willing to provide an antidote for the gloomy history narrated in the novel.
An excerpt from the book which metaphorically represent the state of mind of the rescuers is a gem to read through
Assi chath te bajra sukhanlya Rakha
(We left the pearl millet to dry on the terrace)
Moye Kauve daude aaye
(But the wretched crows rushed in)
Rabba tu hi dus hoon
(Rabb now you guide us)
Assi ki kariye
(What should we do)
It could literally be hummed through as we read the stanza and this is another way Natasha connects with the reader deeply.
Beneath Divided Skies is a strong and thought-provoking book which signifies what trauma the women had to face because of the aftermath of the partition. Natasha’s artistic ability to convey stories combined with careful examination have produced a historical fiction that stirs human feelings as much as it offends the intellect.
