MY BELOVED CHARIOTEER - Short Story By Shashi Deshpande- Summary

  MY BELOVED CHARIOTEER - By Shashi Deshpande

(SUMMARY)

        “My Beloved Charioteer” is a short story written by Shashi Deshpande. She is a famous Indian writer of short stories and novels. This story looks at the problems of women by interpreting the relationships among the women of three generations.

        The three important characters in this story are – Ajji (Grandmother), Aarthi (daughter of Ajji), and Preethi (Granddaughter of Ajji). The story is narrated from the point of view of Ajji.

        Both the Grandmother Ajji and granddaughter Preethi have more love and affection with each other. Both Ajji and her daughter Aarthi lost their husbands. Preethi is seven years old school going child. She fills happiness and enjoyment in the life of Ajji. But, Aarthi has been living in sorrowful mood since the death of her father and husband. She ruined her health by limiting herself to her father’s room. She smokes all the time and sleeps less. She doesn’t care for her daughter Preethi or for her old mother Ajji. Her behaviour is not liked by Ajji and Preethi. But, Ajji could not dare to speak to Aarthi in this regard.

        One day, Aarthi warns Preethi for being very happy. Aarthi’s meaningless anger and behavior spoil the happiness of Ajji and Preethi. Unable to bear this, Ajji goes to Aarthi and expresses her displeasure. Further, Ajji reveals the facts about how she was suppressed by her husband (Aarthi’s father) and how rudely he used to behave with her. In the meanwhile, the photo of Ajji’s husband was broken. Ajji prefers to throw it out. She says that it is not good to live in the painful past neglecting the present and future. Aarthi comes to know the facts and is now on the path of improving her life.

Ajji gets her energy and motivation to deal with her daughter from the lively little girl Preethi. The little girl Preethi plays key role in improving the relationship between Ajji and Aarthi. Thus, Preethi is compared to Lord Krishna, the original charioteer, who motivated Arjuna to fight against enemies and perform his duty. Preethi is the beloved charioteer in the story.

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NOOJILLA SRINIVAS

Lecturer in English 

Govt. Degree College, Alamuru, Andhra Pradesh

M: 7981862200; email: noojillasrinivas@gmail.com 

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