A Gutterful Life

Hindus and Muslims live in harmony across an open gutter (naala) at the edge of the city.

Whether it’s the story of Somu and Aklaq – two innocent souls from different religions who stumble into each other on the naala and foster a friendship like no other; Billu and Arif – two budding businessmen trying to make a living – who are subjected to inter-community politics through the tryst of fate; or the community’s favourite Chai-Chachu – an old tea-seller with unknown origin but an important story to tell, A Gutterful Life brings forth a plethora of sentiments culminating in an emotional climax.

Will Aklaq and Somu’s friendship survive the vagaries of communal division? Will Chai-Chachu be able to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims across the naala? Will religious propaganda compel people to forget their hardships and sow seeds of division in the illusion of unity?

About Change Stories

Change Stories by Kapil Raj is an amalgamation of five independent short stories: Kuroopa, A Gutterful Life, First Love Many Times, Flying with Chains, and A Mother By The Window.

True social development cannot be achieved without breaking existing stereotypes and adapting our mindsets to the subsequent changes. Each short story interweaves a heartening story with a deeply imbibed social issue, hardened public belief, and associated fabrications. As you read the narrative, you watch and evolve with the characters, sometimes feeling yourself in them – empathizing in circumstances that may or may not have existed in your lives. The stories will highlight the suffering that was never supposed to take place had we brought about a meaningful change for ourselves and others in the society.