Books corner: Sita’s Curse by Sreemoyee Piu Kundu

Reviewer: Ambica Gulati

 It was the upfront discussion around Sreemoyee Piu Kundu’s new book Sita’s Curse at the Shiro in Delhi that got me dying to read the book. For one, not many Indian authors have dared to touch erotica and that too a woman author. It was really taking the bull by the horns and addressing an issue which is ‘hush hush’ and kept in the darkest areas of our core. No one wants to know what happens to a woman who likes being treated like a woman. But everyone seems to be okay talking about a man whose physical needs are to be satisfied.

Sreemoyee's book adrresses a lot of relationship concerns. The snide remarks of jealous women, the guru in the background, the evil husband, the jilted lover, the lust and the desire, the need to be a mother, a woman in totality.

The story of Meera begins with her twin brother with whom she is the thickest but the growing up body demands a separation. They don’t understand the need for physical distance but the parents do. The brother’s jealousy at his sister’s attraction for her dance guru. The guru’s revulsion of a menstruating young girl and the girl trying to understand sex through friends. There is a touch of sexual exploration through near lesbian relationships. Girls also try to understand their femininity by wanting to be physically close when they don’t get that love from the men.

Eventually the beautiful Mere is married off to a ruthless older man who does not understand her needs. And then labels her as a ‘banjh’, unable to bear a child. His brutality in bed is unspeakable.

And then there is the guru who is going to bless Meera with a child. Are we really a society which believes that children pop out through spiritual blessings and don’t need mating? Well, that ways would not all of us have babies popping out on the roads every second a God or a Guru blessed us?

What I found interesting is that Sreemoyee has addressed many relationship facts and issues in a very concise and clear manner. She has not shied away from touching the taboo. She has broken cords and expanded horizons for the women.

The urban woman at least is now not going to shy away from carrying Sita’s Curse without a cover. But there is still a larger part of India which needs to wake up to the needs of a woman, irrespective of age. It needs to understand that a woman is beautiful at all ages and has the same needs as a man and would love to express it in the same manner. But she tries to find a lot of love and expresses love.

A book for all those wanting to open their minds and hearts to a woman’s sexuality—read it to know how you can help other women instead suppressing them.

Book details

Sita's Curse: The Language of Desire

Author: Sreemoyee Piu Kundu

Publisher: Hachette India

Price: Rs 350

Pages: 344