Book - Main Batata Hoon by Shrutin
Shetty
Genre - Anthology of short stories

We’ve often heard of counter-intuitive approach. So, what are counter-intuitive narratives? Basically, these narratives present an idea by going against the conventional wisdom, by challenging assumptions, giving an alternative perspective that may surprise the reader.
Author Shrutin Shetty’s latest offering ‘Main Batata Hoon’ presents a clear picture of counter-intuitive narratives.

Main Batata Hoon can be seen as an oddity— a little away from the mainstream short stories. Most of the short story writers have often dwell on themes of thrillers, existential crisis, stream of consciousness, childhood memories, and even love stories. Hardly a few talk about everyday conversations that transpire between two friends or the quick chat that a daughter indulges in with her father at the dinner table. In ‘Main Batata Hoon’, Shrutin Shetty has captured those fleeting moments, discussions that have potential to affect people’s life yet seem so insignificant at any point of time.

Welcome to Main Batata Hoon! The title may take you by surprise and its bite-sized tales will amaze you. Written in a conversational style with simple and witty language, Shetty concocts 56 different tales. Among these, not all are very serious and neither are most funny. Each of these stories dwell on the borderline of seriousness and comedy. While the context may have serious interests, the effect it produces will make you let out a small laugh but all the while the author will make you think. Each of these stories are somewhat informational, somewhat inspirational and somewhat educative. And I think the author has used up all the content pillars that one might use in engaging a reader vis-a-vis short stories.

Besides his ingenuity in writing, I was awed how each of his stories were cathartic. These tales not only enrich you with new information or make you look at ordinary objects in a new light, but will definitely enable you to re–assess your preconceived notions.

The theme of counter-intuitiveness is at the heart of these tales. The narratives capture the nuances of human psychology masterfully weaving tales that showcase how our beliefs have an effect on our interactions.

In the story ‘FootLoose, FootWork’, two cousins discuss two famous boxers. By the term ‘boxer’, our preconceived ideas draw a picture of an alpha male who lacks signs of creative endeavours or any inclination towards the nuances of art. However, one of the speakers narrates that the boxing legend Muhammad Ali was also a singer and a poet.

In the story ‘Sell Me This Pen’, two college friends, now working at the corporate, discuss their work front and that’s when one of the friends talks about Atlassian. This is an Australian Tech company acquiring a whooping USD 600 Million without the help of any sales personnel. They managed to do this by producing products that consumers want.

‘Pre-rinsing Dishes’ is another story where a conversation takes place between a mother and a teenage son. The mother informs the son how pre-rinsing dishes before sending it in the dishwasher can fail the machine in performing the task properly.

At the end of the book, we find 7 comic strips, delivering some out of the way moral. I loved reading ‘Timing can be… Everything.’

To sum up, Main Batata Hoon, is ideal for everyone, for all ages, who want to broaden their perspective. These bite-sized tales are not only a treat for the mind, but a balm for the soul as well. To put it succinctly, Shetty is prolific in finding intrigue in the mundane that makes this book unmissable. 

To buy the book, pls click - Main batata hoon by Shrutin Shetty

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