Book Details
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Author: Ajay Navaria
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Publisher: Niyogi Books
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Language: English
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Edition: First Edition
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ISBN: 9789391125806
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Pages: 318
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Cover: Paperback
About the Book
Worlds within Worlds, translated from the Hindi original Udhar ke Log, is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complex lives of a young man and his family in contemporary Delhi. The protagonist is a university lecturer with liberal views, married to a doctor, and surrounded by friends in the civil services and private sectors. While this might seem like a familiar middle-class narrative, the twist lies in their Dalit identity. At the heart of the story lies the clash between caste and class, prompting the question: can one truly be middle-class while being Dalit?
This novel explores the layered meanings of caste, untouchability, and the role of education in liberating individuals from societal constraints. The characters wrestle with the discrimination they face due to their names and backgrounds, yet they also experience the freedom that education and qualifications bring. Through the protagonist’s personal journey, Worlds within Worlds examines not only the impact of caste and class but also touches on themes of sexual and romantic experiences, family relationships, and social consciousness, where caste does not always define the characters’ identity.
As a powerful commentary on caste, class, religion, and social dynamics, this novel invites readers to reconsider preconceived notions of identity, loyalty, love, and the intersections of personal and societal conflicts. Worlds within Worlds challenges us to rethink what it means to be truly free in a world where caste continues to shape lives.
About the Author
Ajay Navaria, an accomplished writer and scholar, holds an MPhil and PhD from JNU. His stories have been widely translated and his critically acclaimed story collection Unclaimed Terrain was translated by Prof. Laura R. Brueck in 2013. Navaria has been a speaker at numerous universities and literature festivals, with his works included in the syllabi of prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Michigan University, and the University of Delhi. He currently serves as a Professor of Hindi at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi.
About the Translator
Nita Kumar is the retired Brown Professor of South Asian History at Claremont McKenna College, California. An accomplished author and editor, she has written extensively on South Asian history and scripted the film Shankar’s Fairies. She also runs NIRMAN, an organization dedicated to children's education and welfare, as well as Vidyashram, a school in Varanasi.
