Gareebnawaz: Santosh Choubey’s New Story Collection Unveiled in Delhi
The Sahitya Akademi auditorium in Delhi recently hosted the grand launch of senior poet, storyteller, and Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University Santosh Choubey’s much-awaited short story collection “Gareebnawaz”. Jointly organized by Vanmali Srijan Peeth, Delhi, and Rajkamal Prakashan Group, the event drew the participation of many noted writers, critics, and literature enthusiasts. Prior to this collection, Choubey had already published six widely acclaimed volumes including Halkey Rang Ki Kameez, Restauran Mein Dopahar, Nau Binduon Ka Khel, Beech Prem Mein Gandhi, Magar Shakespeare Ko Yaad Rakhna, and Pratinidhi Kahaniyan. The new book was released in the presence of celebrated author Mamata Kalia and senior writer Janki Prasad Sharma, who presided over the ceremony. Choubey himself read the title story “Gareebnawaz” and shared insights into his creative journey, emphasizing that readability, innocence, and visual intensity remain central to his craft.
Mamata Kalia praised Choubey for his commitment to social realities, describing “Gareebnawaz” as a powerful portrayal of class conflict and human resilience. Presiding guest Janki Prasad Sharma remarked that Choubey’s greatest strength lies in his extraordinary readability, noting that his stories sweep readers along while raising urgent questions of contemporary life and weaving memory and critique into their very fabric. Noted critic Akhilesh highlighted the originality of Choubey’s storytelling, pointing out how his works resist conventional forms while engaging with the distortions of capital, technology, and power, ultimately defending the beauty of life. Senior critic Vinod Tiwari observed that the long stories in this collection will be remembered in the history of Hindi fiction, as they carry recurring motifs of love, compassion, humanity, and sensitivity while also transcending genres.
Writer Alpana Mishra admired the intimate pace of Choubey’s stories that culminate in profound realizations, while young author Ashutosh noted how Choubey begins and ends his stories with curiosity, keeping them firmly in narrative control and marked by a scientific and humanistic outlook. The event began with a welcome address by senior poet Leeladhar Mandloi, Chairman of Vanmali Srijan Peeth, and greetings from Jyoti Raghuvanshi. It was skillfully anchored by young writer Pranjal Dhar and Kunal Singh, with Ashok Maheshwari of Rajkamal Prakashan extending a heartfelt vote of thanks. With the presence of distinguished writers, critics, and literature lovers from across Delhi NCR, the launch of “Gareebnawaz” became not just a book release but a vibrant celebration of Santosh Choubey’s enduring contribution to contemporary Hindi literature.
