• A For Prayagraj •

‘I am an emigrant of the imagination.’

How does the history of cities become a since?  Had it not been for the memories and imaginations, does one thrive in a city with its history scraped off its edges? How does one feel belonged while the memoirs of history are replaced with tokens of the present? Perhaps, these questions are better answered in literature. Or so do I hope, as a reader.

I often think of stories brewing within cities. Of changed names and forgotten histories. Of the borders crafted between present and past. And, how it’s the name of our city that spills a part of our stories while we try to heal the wounds of change. Grappling with a sense of belonging to a city and coping up with its present, I don’t think there could have been a better book than ‘A For Prayagraj’ by Udbhav Agarwal.

A For Prayagraj, a memoir, holds space for Allahabad in the most present sense. It’s more of seeking the past to make sense of the present. It takes you into the heart of Allahabad with its shifting histories and changed names. While I was reading the book, I felt I was an observer, a traveler of Udbhav’s imagination. And, that speaks volumes about his brilliant writing. There was this strong whiff of nostalgia in his writing that hooked me till the very last page.

I felt like I was in the alleyways of Allahabad noticing its details and listening to its memories. While conversing with people armed and disarmed by the history and realities of Allahabad, while searching for clues of past in places, Udbhav has weaved an alive piece of work. Dhruv, constructing a home for students in English, Neelesh abandoning Allahabad and re-claiming it with his dreams and touring company, Holy Waters, Balu confronting power strongly and every other character added up to make a voice for Allahabad. As is said in the book, “We tell stories to assemble our cities.”

I admired the movement of literature, the poems, and the anecdotes. It tells me how stories are blossoms with a whiff of vitality. And, I smiled at the mention of a Holi on Friday. The respect that was once there for the sacredness of each being, I struggle to find it now.

All in all, within 99 pages or so, Udbhav posed so many important questions including the ones on belief and faith. It’s as if he rearranged the piles of books and wiped the dust that has been settling on the borders of past and present. Throughout this book, I felt how well Udbhav noticed the details that lay in the crevices of a city.

Quoting him, “The city endures.”

And, I feel like adding in our recollections and memories, in our very being.