The Hills are Burning by Anirban Bhattacharyya

My Rating - 4 out of 5 stars

Publisher - FingerPrint Publishing
Genre - Fiction
Publishing year - 2023
Language - English
ISBN - 978-93-5440-695-9
Pages - 412

Book Review - 

The Hills are Burning by Anirban Bhattacharyya is a heart-wrenching fictional story based on actual events that took place during the Gorkhaland Agitation in the late 1980s. 

Set against the scenic backdrop of Kalimpong, this novel follows the lives of three 16-years-old friends - Tukai, Norong, and Rupesh - as they navigate through the complexities of life, love, and loyalty amidst the violent uprising in the hills of West Bengal.

The tale begins with Tukai's family relocating from Calcutta to Kalimpong due to his father's job transfer. However, adjusting to a new school, unfamiliar surroundings, and the ongoing turmoil in the hills are challenging for the family. 

Despite the obstacles, Tukai manages to forge new friendships and develops a crush on a girl named Aditi. Meanwhile, outside the school, the adults' conflict intensifies, resulting in blood spilling and violence in the hills. 

The author beautifully captures the era's essence and brings to life the tumultuous times through his vivid descriptions of the scenic beauty of Kalimpong, the fragility of human relationships, and the devastating impact of violence and destruction. The characters are well-developed, and Anirban Bhattacharyya seamlessly weaves in their individual stories of love, loss, and longing against the larger canvas of the revolution.

Through the character of Tukai and his relationships with his friends and two love interests, the novel captures the essence of teenage years with its innocence, heartbreak, mischief, and rebellion. The relatable characters' common traits make them identifiable and evoke nostalgia for one's own teenage years.

While the story is undoubtedly emotional and sensitive, it is also surprisingly funny and witty in parts, adding much-needed light to the otherwise heavy and intense narrative. The novel's strength lies in its ability to evoke emotions in the reader, leaving a lasting impact long after the last page is turned.

Anirban Bhattacharyya vividly portrays the horrific events in Kalimpong, laying bare the duplicity of all parties involved in the unnecessary massacre of countless innocent people. His meticulous research and attention to detail add a layer of authenticity to the events depicted in the book.

Overall, this book is a powerful and poignant tale that explores themes of love, loss, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. The author has done an excellent job bringing this lesser-known chapter of Indian history to life. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the Gorkhaland Agitation and its impact on the lives of ordinary people.

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If you want to know what Gorkhaland Agitation is, then read further:

It was a political movement that occurred in the Darjeeling Hills and some parts of West Bengal, India, during the late 1980s. The campaign aimed to create a separate state of Gorkhaland for the Nepali-speaking people of the region seeking to preserve their distinct cultural and ethnic identity.

The agitation was marked by violent protests, strikes, clashes with the police CRPF, and widespread destruction of property. Many died, and there were reports of human rights violations by the police, CRPF, and the state government.

The violence and unrest continued for several years before an agreement was reached between the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the West Bengal government in 1988. The movement has left a lasting impact on the region and continues to be contentious.