A Haunting portrait of forgotten Agariyas of Kutch: A Review of Anita Agnihotri’s "The Touch of Salt" | Bhavna Harchandani

[fond noir][blanc]BOOK REVIEW[/blanc][/fond noir]

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A touch of salt
By Anita Agnihotri

Translated by Arunava Sinha

Penguin Books
2024 / 180 pages
ISBN 9780143465812

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Reviewed by Bhavna Harchandani

Anita Agnihotri’s "The Touch of Salt", masterfully translated by Arunava Singh, is a poignant and evocative novel that sheds light on the overlooked lives of salt cultivators in the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The eleven-chapter book critically examines the historical and political dynamics surrounding salt production in India, tracing its trajectory from anti-colonial resistance to contemporary exploitation in 169 pages. Agnihotri’s novel sheds light on the marginalized Agariya community, highlighting their struggles and experiences in the context of India