People on Our Roof |
Novel | Shefali Tripathi Mehta |
Niyogi Books | 2021 | ISBN: 978-93-89136-70-8 | pp 226 | 399

 

A sensitive portrayal of a family reeling with mental disabilities and discord

People on Our Roof is Shefali Tripathi Mehta’s fifth book and second work of fiction. The novel attempts to portray the lived realities of people living with mental disabilities.  It is also a critique of the kind of society we inhabit and how society presumes certain things and tries to shape people. It is a deeply moving narrative centred around the search for self in this increasingly indifferent society mired in confusion, discrimination and gendered expectations.

The novel features Naina as its central protagonist who lives with her family in a “down-at-its-heel-home” (p 32) in South Delhi. Naina’s story unfolds in both the private and the public spaces of the city. Naina is a likeable character; her undaunting spirit and commitment to her family is very endearing. She’s modern yet deeply attached to her family. Modern female readers living in metro cities would identify with her. The blurb of the novels tells the readers –

In a once-grand, now down-at-its-heels bungalow in a south Delhi colony lives Naina with her mother, sister, and the stigma that madness ‘runs in the family’. When a woman’s face peeps in from the mists of her childhood memories, Naina sets out in search of the truth behind her father’s disappearance. Then comes a call that begins to unspool the past. . . People on Our Roof is a portrait of one woman’s undying commitment to her kin; her struggle with relationships, and a heart-wrenching story of indestructible love between two people. A coming of age story, it also explores the world of people whose minds are wired differently.

The strength of the novel is Naina’s strong character that nowhere cuts a sorry figure and is dutifully committed to everything she gets her hands on and everyone she happens to associate with personally and professionally.  She juggles between work and home trying to deliver her best. The story is not depressing primarily because of Naina’s commitment to her family.

The novel doesn’t shy away from confronting its readers with the issue of acceptance of and comfort with mental illness.  The title alludes to the people on the roof that Naina’s mother, Amma, has visions of. Naina’s mother is psychotic and her sister, Tara, has autism.

Tara did not look up. She never did. Her whole world of talking, listening, thinking, and loving was inside her. Those that mattered to her could listen to her unspoken word, respond to her silent enquiry (12).

Naina is dealing with individuals who are on the periphery of society because they deviate from the norm. This deviation Shefali has been able to see right in its face. In this, the novel reflects movingly on the reality of being ‘different’ in a society that prescribes to the conventional.

With an absent father and no one to support her, Naina is forced to take upon herself the responsibility of the role of primary caregiver of a mentally unwell mother and an autistic sister. Given the situation, feelings of loneliness and sadness are bound to appear but nowhere does she desire to escape from her position, even when the society is uncompromising in its stance towards acceptance of people with mental disabilities. Despite the feelings of angst and alienation in the hustle and bustle of the city, she is able to keep herself composed. The readers are told, “Like dust motes, nothing ever settled down in their lives; there was a constant whorl of disorder” (p. 68). Naina is not blind to the fact that she is also viewed as a mad person because of the social stigma that madness runs in the family. It takes her a while to overcome this stigma.

More and more Indian novels are coming with so many Hindi words used to bring out the local linguistic flavour. Anybody familiar with Hindi language and brought up in Delhi will enjoy the novel, but the meaning will be lost on international and non-native readers. Writers should keep in mind that people of any nationality might read the book and substantial use of local words without annotations would be a deterrent to enjoy such a good book as People on Our Roof.

The book is well brought out with hardly any editing and typographical errors with an attractive cover and interesting title. The narrative moves back and forth interspersed with Naina’s dreams and memories. Some of the dreams are difficult to interpret but add a very interesting dimension to the story. I also liked the fact that Delhi city has been brought alive teeming with all its peculiarities. Despite some sketchy characters like Jai and Rob, Shefali’s vivid characters breathe life into the story. The novel marks Tripathi’s growth as a writer with sharp perceptions and ability to churn out an interesting page-turner that has surprises hidden for the readers around the corners. Also, the story ends but it doesn’t conclude. Naina’s journey is not limited or dictated by wedding bells and love. She will continue to flourish professionally, will never let go of her role as an elder sister and will also be open to deep friendships and commitments. Naina’s story is truly motivating and remarkable. More than a novel, it is a commentary on family, mental illness, responsibility, friendship, love and loneliness of the times we live in.