Shyamchi Aai

Shyamachi Aai (Shyam's mother) is hailed as one of the greatest tribute to mother's love in Marathi literature. This book has been written by famous author and social activist Sane Guruji. It is now available in English, translated by, Aaditi Kulkarni, who is a Canadian National currently residing in Mississauga, Ontario. The publication ceremony of the English edition book was held on the 22nd of May'08 in Pune, India. The new english edition has colourful pictures which add to the character of this classic along with a pictography at the end. The english translation of "Shyamchi Aai" is an excellent source for children from all over who will not only get a glimpse of what life used to be during the British Raj but also relate to it in their own special way.

This book is an autobiography of Sane Guruji belonging to a Brahmin family in Konkan region of rural Maharashtra during British Raj. Sane Guruji (now an adult) who was fondly called as Shyam during his childhood is narrating his memories to a group of children in a daily night sitting.

Chapters in the book are named as "ratra" meaning night in "Marathi". They are named as 1st night, 2nd night and so on. Every passing night the story takes you into the family setting in rural "Konkan" and its beautiful sea side land scapes along with adjoining ranges of "Sahyadri".This book is representation of Love of mother for her child in this world.

As the title suggests the central character is Shyam's mother and the kind of enormous influence shehas on Shyam's life and upbringing. It involves sticking to one's ideals even though one is neck deep in abject poverty.

The narration is flamboyant and involves you in the setting in a smooth manner. As the narration progresses we came to know the deterioration of Shyam's debt ridden family. The communication between father-son, mother-son, siblings is exemplary. It shows if love is present then how content a person's life can be no matter what how poor he is.

Like life, the book starts with Shyam's mother getting married into a wealthy family and its slow progression into debt ridden poverty and ends with illness and tragic death of his mother.