Born and educated in Udaipur, Shaukat Ajmeri’s second book of fiction, a collection of short stories Open Season, was launched on Friday, April 19 at an engaging, well-attended event in Canada.

The publisher Nurjehan Aziz, inaugurated the event with the words: “We’re proud to publish Shaukat’s book of short stories. In sparkling, clear prose, understated yet unflinching, Open Season probes deep into the fissures of caste, class, religion, and gender in our world.”

“The stories by Shaukat Ajmeri are endearing in their simplicity and for their love of life and people. They make you aware that it is our relationships which give us our humanity.” - Professor Apoorvanad of the University of Delhi, while endorsing Shaukat's new book of short stories.

The program included a reading by the author and a wide-ranging conversation with Lubaina Fidaali, a Deloitte executive and a literature enthusiast. Lubaina probed the author about different aspects of the book and his writing process. Most of the stories are based in India and speak of a world familiar and yet all too elusive, of a gentler, mellower, more hopeful time; they explore the charms and constraints of life in a small town. The stories give the reader glimpses of ordinary people struggling and celebrating the successes of day-to-day living. Although a sense of despair permeates the lives of characters caught in the oppressive dynamic of poverty and bigotry, they never give up hope. With a mix of serious and light topics, there is much in the stories one can relate to, and Shaukat tells them with his unique style, perspective, and humour. 

Shaukat’s first book, a novel, Keepers of the Faith was well-received by readers, writers, and academics. A touching love story that traces the star-crossed lives of two young people, the novel is set against the backdrop of the oppressive Dawoodi Bohra clergy. Professor Farhat Hasan of the University of Delhi had this to say about the novel, “In today’s India, when rationalists have been brutally murdered for their positions, and those who speak for reforms and entrenched belief are vilified and abused, the message in the novel has an almost immediate relevance.”

Open Season is published by Mawenzi House Publishers in Toronto and both books are available on Amazon India on Kindle (eBook). 

Shaukat Ajmeri lives in Canada and is now working on a new novel. He also writes regularly on Substack, you can read his essays here.

Photos by @onecreationarts