Book Review: Battles of Our Own (Originally written in Odia by Jagadish Mohanty and translated into English by Himansu Mohapatra and Paul St-Pierre)

Namrata reviews Battles of Our Own, originally written in Odia by Jagadish Mohanty and translated into English by Himansu Mohapatra and Paul St-Pierre (Published by Penguin India, 2022)

Battles of Our Own (Nija Nija Panipatha), originally written in Odia by Jagadish Mohanty, is a powerful narrative that stands as a seminal work in the genre of industrial novels within Indian literature. First published in 1990, this novel is deeply rooted in the coal mining areas of western Odisha, an environment intimately known to Mohanty, who spent his life working in the industry. The English translation by Himansu Mohapatra and Paul St-Pierre skillfully brings this quintessential piece of Odia literature to a wider audience, preserving its raw intensity and nuanced depiction of a conflict-ridden world.

Setting and Plot

Set against the harsh and rugged backdrop of a coal mine, Battles of Our Own is a stark departure from the mainstream Odia novels of its time, which often centered around themes of romance and social success in more genteel settings. Mohanty’s novel delves into the gritty reality of the coal mines, exploring the perpetual struggle between the mine administration and the trade union. This industrial setting not only provides a unique atmosphere but also frames the novel’s plot, characters, and underlying tensions.