For me it’s gotta be “Morte e Vida Severina”/ “Severino Death and Life”. It’s an epic poem narrating the journey of a poor man from Northeastern Brazil, a famously poor and segregated region that’s frequently affected by severe droughts, fleeing from his home and walking to the big city to survive the season. On the way he describes all the misery he experiences and sees.
One stanza that has stuck with me for years goes something like this "And all of us Severinos/With the same lives/Will die of the same/Severe Severino death,/The death died of/Old age before thirty/Of an ambush before twenty/And of hunger day by day/(Of weakness and plague/The Severino death/attacks at all ages/even those not born)
Vyakti Ani Valli by PL Deshpande (Pu La Deshpande), which is in Marathi language. The book name translates to People And Portraits.
Here’s a ChatGPT summary of it:
“Vyakti Ani Valli” is a compilation of vivid character portraits, where P. L. Deshpande uses his keen observational skills and humor to bring various personalities to life. The book is a delightful exploration of human traits, quirks, and idiosyncrasies. Through these sketches, Deshpande captures the essence of different individuals, presenting them in a light-hearted yet insightful manner.
The characters depicted in the book come from diverse backgrounds, and each sketch is a mini-story that provides a glimpse into the lives, behaviors, and peculiarities of these individuals. Deshpande’s unique narrative style combines wit, satire, and a deep understanding of human nature, making the characters relatable and memorable.
“Vyakti Ani Valli” not only showcases Deshpande’s mastery in humor but also serves as a mirror reflecting the idiosyncrasies of society. The character sketches are not just humorous anecdotes but also offer a deeper commentary on the intricacies of human relationships, societal norms, and the human condition.
Overall, the book is a celebration of the rich tapestry of human experiences, seen through the lens of Deshpande’s wit and wisdom. Each character becomes a microcosm of the larger world, making “Vyakti Ani Valli” a timeless and cherished work in Marathi literature.