Mamma ki Diary
Rating: 4/5
Author: Anu Singh Choudhary
Publisher: Hindi Yugm
Publishing Date: 2015
Language: Hindi
Genre: Non-Fiction
ISBN-10: 9384419109
ISBN-13: 978-9384419103
Format: Paperback
Pages: 160
Plot:
‘Mamma ki Diary’ is a heartfelt mother's note, the writer’s own personal life, the journey from a child birth to raising the child. This account of 'Mamma ki diary' is not a Parenting guide but a honest compilation of realistic situations, experiences and circumstances of a mother. It can teach you so many things about parenting and life of a parent, especially new mother. It is a non-fiction. The genre is not the distinguishing point but what makes this book interesting is author's writing style. Very fresh, it grips you instantly.
According to the publisher Shailesh Bharatwasi, this might be the first original work in Hindi on motherhood and parenting. Mamma ki Diary looks at the larger story of the urban working mother through the writer’s own experiences.
Review:
The book talks about family, love and loss. And, it's not just author's account. The author talks about many other mothers, their life, their loss. Some moments are very poignant but sometimes it felt sparingly easy.
Changing times need changing attitudes. Men are no longer the sole bread winners of the family and women should no longer be the sole homemakers. This book exposes the realities of societal expectations that place much more burdens on a woman than a man. The author talks about the modern day complications of nuclear families:
“Earlier families used to be‘ complete ’in many other ways. Now in this era of nuclear family all the issues come up - Parenting, Teenage, Puberty, Career, Battle in marriage and battle to save marriage, Children, Divorce, Pre and post-divorce issues, Financial security, Home, car, Insurance, Future… everything.”
The book covers a range of themes around modern Indian motherhood, from big ones like conflicts between career and parenting to specific issues like tantrums or post-partum depression. Choudhary says:
“I realised that motherhood for this generation is so much about learning new skills. My mother didn’t drive, but I drive. She could never think of travelling alone with the children, but I do. It’s the men whose patterns of life have not changed.”
A touching tale from working mothers. While it teaches women to manage their expectations, it also teaches men to support their wives through their career and household chores. A must read for men and women alike.
About the Author:
Anu Singh Choudhary is a writer, translator, communications consultant and documentary filmmaker. She has written across formats including radio, TV, films and new media, and has written and directed award-winning documentaries and web-series. She wrote and directed The Good Girl Show, a web-series that was adapted into the award-winning play Antardwand: The Conflict Within and is now being turned into a novel. The author of Neela Scarf, a collection of short stories, and the memoir Mamma Ki Diary, Choudhary has translated over 20 well-acclaimed titles from English to Hindi. She has made six documentaries so far. Anu also writes for national dailies on child rights and gender. Her non-fiction book ‘Mamma ki Diary’ is believed to be the first of its kind in Hindi.
