Indian short stories were a big part of our childhood. Remember the times when we, as kids, would sit around our grandmothers, super excited for their bags full of awesome Indian short stories? As we grew up, digital media took over. Reading novels became a rare thing, often excused by lack of time. But, reading these Indian short stories is like going back to the good old days when stories were a huge deal.
In my honest opinion, Indian short stories are way more fun to read than they get credit for. We all wish to read novels, but time becomes a challenge. Leaving a novel midway is often disheartening. On the flip side, reading a short story feels great. Finishing it gives a satisfying sense of accomplishment. So, here is your chance to bring back those happy memories with these amazing 15 Indian short stories.
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In the midst of a dinner party, a reserved woman has to face awkward conversations, unappetising food, and revelations of her friend’s past relationships. The evening takes an unexpected turn when suddenly personal boundaries are crossed. The story talks about the themes of societal expectations, personal desires, and complexities of human relationships. The story shows how friendships and relationships can get complicated, even in just one evening.
“Of course,” the words tumble out of you automatically, even as an angry, bitter taste fills your mouth. Auro looks away. No, Ma, I was not spineless.
About the author: Sayantani Dasgupta is a finalist for the Foreword Indies Awards. Her works include the critically acclaimed “Fire Girl: Essays on India, America, & the In-Between,” “The House of Nails: Memories of a New Delhi Childhood” etc. She is a faculty member in the MFA program at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
The story follows the lives of two girls, Ela and Niranjana, who grew up as neighbours and friends in Ranchi. Despite having different family backgrounds and personalities, they shared a close bond. Their story unfolds through childhood, and adulthood, with ups and downs in their friendship. Their relationship is tested by secrets, betrayals, and the complexities of growing up. The story explores themes of friendship, identity, and the complexities of growing up in a changing world. Through vivid storytelling and relatable characters, the story teaches about the human condition and the bonds that connect us all.
In my wedding pictures, I looked frightened, as if I was back in the Himalayan mountains. When my mother gave me my copy of the album, I cut my father out of every single picture that he was in.
About the author: Kritika Pandey is a contemporary Indian writer known for her short stories. She won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2020 and received a residency grant from the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation in 2021. Her notable works include “Profound Earthly Suffering,” “The Great Indian Tee and Snakes” etc.
The story revolves around a woman named Sukanya who is escaping from his abusive husband. On a train journey, she opens up to an old man about her hardships, hoping he can help her. The old man advices her to face her challenges head-on and offers her a banana. The story shows how even a small act of kindness can make a big difference to someone going through a tough time. The story delves into the themes of domestic abuse, survival, and unexpected moments of connection between strangers.
“Through the train window, she watched him go, bathed in moonlight, his step lightened by a spring, leaving her with a relief of sadness and blankness.”
About the author: Rochelle Potkar is an Indian author and poet known for her short story collections “Bombay Hangovers” as well as poetry collections “Paper Asylum” etc. She has been a part of prestigious writing residencies at the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program and the University of Stirling, Scotland.
The story ‘The Word Love’ portrays the struggles of an Indian woman living in the US who falls in love with an American man. She has to hide her relationship from her mother due to cultural beliefs. The story delves into the conflict between her personal desires and traditional expectations. Using a personal narrative, the story highlights the tension and struggles between romantic feelings and family expectations. The story explores themes of cultural conflict, love and tradition, family dynamics, and personal growth.
“It was never me, was it? Never love. It was always you and her, her and you.”
About the author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an Indian-American author, poet, and professor at the University of Houston Creative Writing Program. Her short story collection “ Arranged Marriage” won her American Book Award in 1996.
The story revolves around a family who is dealing with the impending death of their grandmother, who has been sick for a long time. The narrator, who had been distant from her grandmother, reflects on their relationship and past interactions. Through conversations and memories, the story explores the themes of family bonds, sacrifice, passage of time, and acceptance of mortality. It delves into how people cope with loss and the emotions that arise during such difficult times.
“I wish I could die,” she said.
“We watched each other in silence. After a while, the silence was beginning to get awkward and I stood up. ‘I will go and check where the nurse is,’ I said.”
About the author: Radhika Venkatarayan is an ethnographer and advocate based in Madras, India. Her short stories have appeared in Out of Print Magazine, Fiction 365, Madras Mag etc.
The story “November is the Month of Migration” centres around Talamai Kisku, a young tribal girl from Jharkhand. The story vividly depicts the severe poverty of her Santhal family, who migrate annually to Bardhaman in West Bengal for work. Talamai, along with others, goes to Bardhaman to work in the farms owned by the landlords there. Due to extreme hunger, Talamai is forced to trade her body for food and money. This highlights the harsh reality of exploitation and objectification faced by tribal women like Talamai. The story talks about themes of poverty, exploitation, helplessness, and societal injustice faced by marginalized Santhal women.
She has done it a few times by the Koyla Road, where Santhal women and girls steal coal from trucks. She knows many girls who do that work with truck drivers and other men. And she knows that on their way to Nmal, Santhal women do this work for food and money at the railway station, too.
About the author: Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar is a doctor and renowned author known for his collection of short stories, “The Adivasi Will Not Dance,” which was a finalist for The Hindu Prize. His other works have been nominated for several prestigious awards.
‘A Waterfall of Horses’ by Janice Pariat delves into the power of spoken words and the mysteries associated with it through the example of the word “Ka Ktien.” Set in a village in Northeastern India during the British colonial era, the story involves native villagers using black magic against white men. It highlights the clash between cultures and the consequences of using supernatural powers. The story also talks about traditions, beliefs, and how language struggles to convey deep feelings and complex ideas.
‘Once printed, the word is feeble and carries little power. It wrestles with ink and typography and margins, struggling to be what it always was. Spoken. Unwritten, unrecorded. Old, they say, as the first fire. Free to roam the mountains, circle the hearth, and fall as rain.’
About the author: Janice Pariat is an Indian poet and writer from Assam. Her debut collection of short stories titled “Boats on Land” won her the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Young Writer Award and the Crossword Book Award. Her recent book “Everything The Light Touches” was longlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2023.
The story revolves around three close friends named Meena, Annie, and Nayantara, known as “Kerchief Kumaris” for carrying white lace kerchiefs. They shared a deep bond since childhood, united by their passion for dance and dreams of a glamourous future. As they grow older, they face challenges such as societal expectations, love, and personal identity. Through their journeys, the story highlights the challenges and joys of growing up and finding one’s identity amidst life’s ups and downs.
“The day I was getting married I stood in the reception meeting hundreds of guests in four-inch heels, knowing it was the last time in my life I would be the center of attention.”
About the author: Nisha Susan is an award-winning author and translator known for her collection of short stories titled “The Women Who Forgot to Invent Facebook and Other Stories.” She recently translated KR Meera’s work “Qabar” from Malayalam to English. She also writes non-fiction about gender, culture etc.
The story revolves around a couple, Shobha and Shukumar, who are dealing with the heartache of losing their stillborn child. The loss has left them emotionally distant. As they struggle to cope with the grief, they find solace in sharing secrets during a power outage. The power outage becomes a metaphor for their dimmed relationship. These intimate revelations help them reconnect and heal old wounds. The story shows how honesty and vulnerability can strengthen relationships, even in the face of tragedy.
“In the beginning he had believed that it would pass, that he and Shoba would get through it all somehow. She was only thirty-three. She was strong, on her feet again. But it wasn’t a consolation.”
About the author: Jhumpa Lahiri is a renowned author known for her short stories, novels, and essays in English and Italian. Her debut work, “Interpreter of Maladies,” won her the prestigious Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Hemingway Award.
This is a heartwarming story about a young girl who teaches her illiterate grandmother, Krishtakka, to read. In the story, the girl describes how her grandmother never had the opportunity to attend school and learn how to read and write. Despite this, Krishtakka was eager to listen to stories, especially those from a popular Kannada writer named Triveni. Feeling remorseful about her inability to read, she decides to learn the Kannada alphabets at the age of 62. The story beautifully portrays the bond between generations, the value of education, and the determination to overcome challenges at the face of adversity.
“I am touching the feet of my teacher who imparted me knowledge. You may be my granddaughter, but you are my revered teacher. Now, because of you, I am able to read independently. Isn’t it written in our scriptures that one needs to touch the feet of one’s teacher?”
About the author: Sudha Murthy is a notable social worker and accomplished author. She has written over ninety-five books in sixteen Indian Languages. Her remarkable achievements have earned her numerous awards, including the Padma Shri Award, Rajyaprashasti, and six honorary doctorates from various Indian Universities.
“The Night Train at Deoli” is a poignant tale of a young man’s brief but impactful encounter with a girl selling baskets at a railway station. The protagonist is charmed by the girl’s beauty and grace. Their interactions are cut short by the train’s departure. He promises to come back for her, but when he returns later, she’s gone. Despite his strong feelings, he never gathers the courage to find out what happened to the girl. The story beautifully explores the themes of love at first sight, missed opportunities, and longing for something lost.
But I will never break my journey there. It may spoil my game. I prefer to keep hoping and dreaming, and looking out of the window up and down that lonely platform, waiting for the girl with the baskets.
About the author: Ruskin Bond is a highly acclaimed Indian author who has written over 500 short stories, essays, and novels. For his distinguished contribution to the literary world, he has been awarded prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan.
This story by Tanuj Solanki is about a writer trying to figure out life and love. He is called an experimental writer as he writes weird stories that reflect his own confusion. The story is a peek into his mind, full of thoughts about writing, love, and longing. He mentions movies, books, and places that remind him of different times in his life. There’s a sense of searching for meaning and connection, mixed with a bit of sadness and nostalgia. In essence, the story captures the writer’s journey of self-discovery and his attempts to find clarity amidst the confusion of love and life.
“What a complex foamy mixture a couple is. Even if the relationship shatters and ends, it continues to act in secret pathways, it doesn’t die, it doesn’t want to die.”
About the author: Tanuj Solanki is a talented writer based in Mumbai. He was a runner-up in the DNA-Out of Print Short Story Contest and received a Pushcart Prize nomination for his story “The Bachelor.” His works have been published in various magazines including Burrow Press Review and Atticus Review.
“The Big Picture” by Anjum Hasan follows the journey of Mrs. Ali who goes on a trip to Europe for an art show. During her trip, she faces challenges like language differences and feeling out of place. Despite feeling sad and lost without her husband, she finds joy in her paintings and learns more about herself. The story teaches us that even in difficult times, we can find strength in our passions and interests. Through Mrs Ali’s journey, the story explores the themes of loss, solitude, identity, and emotional resilience.
“I paint mostly for myself. It’s like nature. So much happens when no one’s looking. So many pictures are made for no one to see.”
About the author: Anjum Hasan is a contemporary English writer known for her novels, short stories, and poetry. Her debut novel “Lunatic In My Head” was shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award in 2007. Her short-story collection “Difficult Pleasures” earner her nominations for the Hindu Literary Prize and the Crossword Award.
The story revolves around a woman who encounters her past love’s grandchild and reminisces about her relationship with him. She reflects on their separation, her regrets, and the misunderstandings that led to their parting. The story touches on the themes of love, loss, regret, and the consequences of past actions. The story beautifully captures the bittersweet essence of nostalgia and the longing for what could have been.
“He wanted to marry me… He learnt I was carrying a baby inside me, and he thought he should marry me, to save me from the ignominy.”
About the author: Jane Borges is a Mumbai-based journalist and writer. She co-authored the popular non-fiction book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women From the Ganglands,” which was shortlisted for “The Economist Crossword Book Awards 2011.”
The story narrates the gradual decline of a city that’s about to get destroyed by an army. It shows different people in the city going about their daily lives while knowing that something terrible is coming. As rumours of the approaching army spread, some choose to leave and some stay behind. The teahouse serves as a symbolic space where people talk about life, death, and the meaning of everything. In essence, the story makes you think about life, society, and how people cope when things are falling apart.
“I walked out into the night, breathing the cool air. It was as if the stars themselves whispered secrets of hope and resilience, reminding me that darkness is just a canvas for brighter tomorrows.”
About the author: Kanishk Tharoor is an Indian author and broadcaster based in New York. His works have been published in the US, UK, Middle East, and India. His works earned him a nomination for the National Magazine Award. His debut collection of short stories “Swimmer Among the Stars” received critical acclaim.
These stories offer glimpses into unique experiences and emotions, giving us a deeper understanding of human life. They teach us about love, challenges, and personal growth. They can touch your heart and help you see things in new ways. Pick up these Indian short stories and immerse yourself in their richness, and discover the profound impact they can have on your own journey of self-discovery.
