The Greatest Marathi Stories Ever Told: Selected & Edited by Ashutosh Potdar [Hardcover]

The Greatest Marathi Stories Ever Told, selected and edited by Ashutosh Potdar, is a remarkable anthology featuring twenty-eight stories that highlight the richness of Marathi literature. This collection brings together the works of esteemed authors such as Gangadhar Gadgil, G. A. Kulkarni, Baburao Bagul, Kamal Desai, Vilas Sarang, Anna Bhau Sathe, Urmila Pawar, Jayant Narlikar, and Hamid Dalwai, among others, each contributing to the tapestry of Marathi storytelling.

The anthology includes a diverse array of narratives that explore a multitude of themes and human experiences. In "Divine Intervention," Chintaman Vinayak Joshi employs magical realism to alleviate the struggles of everyday life. Vyankatesh Madgulkar’s "King Maruti" and Jayant Pawar’s "Hari’s Laughter" critique humanity's often cruel and careless treatment of other beings. Anna Bhau Sathe’s poignant "Gold From the Graves" tells the desperate tale of a migrant worker turned grave robber, while Bhaskar Chandanshiv’s "Red Muck" sheds light on the harsh realities of rural poverty.

The collection also navigates the realm of human relationships, as seen in Asha Bage’s "Relationships" and Gauri Deshpande’s "And then it Poured," both offering profound insights into the complexities of interpersonal connections. Vilas Sarang’s "Kalluri’s Radio" delves into the intricate truths surrounding nations and borders, highlighting the tension between identity and belonging.

Ranging from melancholic and sarcastic to humorous and experimental, the stories in this anthology showcase the vibrancy and depth of Marathi short fiction. Together, they reflect the cultural and literary heritage of Maharashtra, making The Greatest Marathi Stories Ever Told a significant contribution to the appreciation of Marathi literature.