Simran Rawat
8 January 2019
8 January 2019
Tinka Tinka Dasna begins with a quote by the Beatles, “When the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me.”
This book embodies this very light, a ray that pierces the darkness in an otherwise desolate landscape. The book is a poignant portrait of life inside prisons. It delivers a first-hand account of not just jails and their inmates, but also the loss of love and hope in their lives. Through poignant prose interspersed with poetry, Vartika Nanda paints a vivid picture of how imprisonment is not just confinement of the body but also of the mind and spirit.
“There is a railway crossing. The railway track runs across. Those who travel by train must surely have seen it but how could they possibly know what lies beyond. What world exists, whose world is it? A few feet ahead there is an enormous, towering gate, with a logo printed above it and the word Dasna written beside it. Four police personnel in their khaki uniforms and red turbans man the gate. Just one look suffices to convince anyone that this huge and sturdy gate, defines the border between the two realities of mind and perception. One has seen such gates only in photographs and films. The light of the world outside fails to pierce through the gate; the moment stops in the milieu inside. I wish to build a bridge which would connect the two vastly contrasting realities in spite of the obvious constraints. This is my resolve.”
Through poetic paragraphs like the one above, she draws attention to the social isolation and lack of development of the inmates and the callous attitude of the outside world towards those behind bars. She initiates a call for action to help in the emotional and mental stability of those imprisoned. Through a detailed description of Dasna Jail, Ghaziabad; she creates an image of inmates and imprisonment far removed from the popular perceptions usually propagated in media. She shows how dreary the life of children can be behind bars, devoid of the simple pleasures and joys that are otherwise the hallmarks of childhood. They are forced to live the life of criminals, through no fault of their own. Her work attempts to humanise the prisoners, whose existence society often overlooks.
“A poetic remembrance by the mother, Nupur Talwar
Aarushi, the first ray of dawn
You entered our lives like a melodious song
A magical moment awaited so long
We bowed to the lord daily
For sending us this divine little fairy
Doe-eyed and beautiful
Radiant and sparkling
You brought into our lives
Boundless happiness and joy
Illuminating our lives with your warm glow
Alas, suddenly one day you were no more
You were not even fourteen years old
The cruel hands of fate snatched you away
Plunging our lives into dark despair
Now the light in our life burns no more
As you rest in gods abode
But your sweet memories remain bright in our lives
As we cherish your dreams day and night
Darling Aarushi… we pray for your peace in heaven
And thank the lord almighty for having sent down to us
…his most special angel.”
In the section, ‘five lives in Dasna’, she gives detailed accounts of five detainees, exploring their stories and struggles, including certain notorious figures like Dr Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, under trial for the murder of their daughter Aarushi, and Surender Koli, convicted for the infamous Nithari killings. Enclosed with their accounts is never before seen poetry, reflecting the myriad emotions of life behind prison walls. At times sorrowful, on occasion happy or hopeful, the poetry serves as a reminder of the indomitable human spirit that strives for freedom even under duress.
Sentenced For The Murder Of His Five Children: A Case Of Ravinder Kumar
Poverty, scarcity, deprivation, unemployment and then murders Ravinder Kumar tells the story of his life through the poignant words of his poem, gam ka safar jari hai, gam ko andhere se dar lagta hai. (Desolation continues on its path, desolation is scared of the dark). He is accused of having killed his five children in 2009. It is alleged that he also tried to kill his wife and then himself in an attempt to escape the clutches of poverty and depression. His wife survived and he had failed to kill himself. But those five lives were gone forever, never to come back. He did not get a chance to perform the last rites of his children. When the last rites were being carried out back at his village in Bihar, he was already in jail. He is resolute about being innocent and has no idea who killed his children. In 2013, he was pronounced guilty and sentenced to death. In 2014, the High Court overturned the judgment, and his sentence was reduced to 14 years in jail. This, no doubt has given him tremendous relief, but the painful memories refuse to fade away.
Also documented are the backgrounds and special skills of several inmates and how they can contribute to the creation of a better society. She also elaborates on several efforts to improve their lives, many of which have had a significant impact in making their lives better. Many endeavours like the Tinka Tinka anthem, awards, art, music, poetry and prose have played a vital role in reminding us and the prisoners of their innate humanity, which is oft neglected by an indifferent society.
Music Behind Bars
The main choir comprises nine inmates. Most of them have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. All of them have the beat and the rhythm of music flowing through their veins. A harmonium, a tabla, a dholak and a manjeera, confederate with them. The members of this choir have a fixed routine. Each morning as soon as they meet, there ensues between them a discussion and analysis of their respective cases. Though they know very well that the circumstances in which they find themselves have not changed overnight. They still live in hope for that lucky break with each break of the dawn, which they believe will come sooner than later.
Whenever new prisoners join their group, their first introduction is unfailingly the same. When, where and how did it happen? Which case? Under which section of the IPC is it? They have no formal understanding of musical notes nor have they studied the concepts of journalism, yet they use the fundamental principles of journalism, When, Where, Who, What and How, day in and day out. Something that they never indulge in is vilifying, unnecessary advice, or being judgmental towards each other. Once this discussion is over, the music begins. The lyrics and beat change with the mood of the moment. Between the stillness and the sorrowful silence of the jail, this choir tries to compose a melody.
By means of this book, Ms Nanda elucidates the tale of a very neglected portion of our society and how their lives can be enriched and their contribution to society maximised. She also highlights the commendable efforts of several officials whose proactive participation has made prison life much more bearable for the inmates. The book ultimately serves as a call for action and a reminder to society of forgotten strata. Through a humane and compassionate approach, the book shows another side oft-ignored in media. Nanda paints a vivid picture of prisons as places where the shackles of caste, colour, religion et all fall away, and unique bonds are formed. The book serves as a fitting testament to the indomitable fortitude of the human spirit and the fact that no matter how dark the night, dawn always follows.
3 Responses
Congratulations to Vartika Ma'am for writing such great books that offer the wide variety of emotions and truth. Tinka tinka Dasna and Tinka tinka Tihar has came a long way! Hope that it will change the mind of people towards jails and inmates. #Vartikananda #prisoners #human_rights #humanity #change#tinkatinka
Incredible work by Vartika Nanda! Nice to know that Tinka Tinka is now travelling to South India too. Saw the images of the book release published in Sakal and Lokmat Samachar on You Tube. Imagine a journey from Tihar has traveled so far. Well done Tinka Tinka! Waiting to hear the new song written by Vartika Nanda on prisons. #Vartikananda #prisoners#human_rights #prisoners #human_rights #tinkatinka
Today, even before the courts decide the case and serve justice, the media decides it for themselves and the society, we call it the media trial. The legitimacy of media trials has always been a subject of question. Tinka Tinka has come up with three books talking about prison reforms working for the benefit of those inmates who are under trial. The interview of Nupur Talwar was done with utmost sensitivity and was the first interview to be conducted in the prison premises. #vartikananda #tinkatinka #jail #prison