Kala Pani was the equivalent of the West’s Al Catraz, from which there was virtually no escape. The prison was located on an island which was cut off from civilisation, surrounded only by the black, murky waters. Any perceived threat to the Crown such as political dissent, activism or minor thefts and the criminal would be deported to the dreaded Kala Pani.

In Kala Pani many friendships and bonds are forged; Baba Lalu and Gaura even get married. After their sentences are over most of them decide to settle in Port Blair. They live on a street called ‘Kissonwali galli’, which means a street filled with stories.

Each one of them has a story to recount. They speak about being mercilessly flogged and left unconscious in the courtyard; about breaking stones in Ross Island till their hands bled; about being thrown into dungeons for having abused British officers. One of them mercifully lives only in the moment; his past is obliterated. Despite their painful memories the group is farsighted and sympathetic to the woes of others. Still the poison of religious disharmony seeps in, creating havoc in their lives.

The story is well told, but the flavour is lost in translation. This is due to the subtle nuances and differences which exist in the languages. Urdu is sheer poetry, but when translated it seems incongruous. For instance the sentence, “Then, when the season for drizzles was in full glory, enclosed among the raindrops, I dripped stealthily into a jungle,”— must be read a few times to understand what is meant.

Joginder Paul has published many short stories and novels. His works have been translated into many languages and he has received national and international literary awards. The translator, Vibha S Chauhan, is a Reader in the Department of English, Zakir Husain College, University of Delhi with several articles on the socio-political situation of marginalised groups to her credit. 

Title: Beyond Black Waters
Author: Joginder Paul
Translated from Urdu by: Vibha S. Chauhan
Price: Rs.195/-only
Pages: 120