Page 104 - DENG503_INDIAN_WRITINGS_IN_LITERATURE

Indian Writings in Literature Digvijay Pandya, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 12: Rupa Bajwa: Sari Shop—Characterisation and
Plot Construction

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
12.1 Characterization of the Novel Sari Shop
12.2 Plot of the Sari Shop
12.3 Summary
12.4 Key-Words
12.5 Review Questions
12.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Discuss the characterization in Sari Shop.
• Explain the Plot construction of Sari Shop.

Introduction

Rupa Bajwa's debut book The Sari Shop revolves around Ramchand a salesperson at a sari shop in
the old area of Amritsar. Ramchand's life is chronicled and interwoven with stories and tidbits
from the lives of others around him. Ramchand and his colleagues wait on the richest and the
most powerful ladies in Amritsar who choose to come to this sari shop for the variety and quality
that it promises. From university professors who look down upon money, and rich business
people who look down on people who may not have the kind of money they had. The Sevak Sari
Shop attracted all sorts. They have a strict task master of a boss called Mahajan who used to ensure
that they catered to all the customers in the best way they could.
Ramchand lost his parents, who he adored and looked up to, in an accident when he was very
young. He is brought up by his uncle and aunt. As he grows up, he realizes that he has been
cheated by his uncle of the shop that his father owned and the jewelery that his mother owned. He
is left with nothing. His uncle gets him at apprenticeship at the sari shop and that is where he
stayed. He remembered how his father used to want that his son to learn English. He realizes that
people who know English have an edge, and so he starts his journey to self-improvement. He
picks up second-hand letter writing books, a dictionary and works hard at it even when in most
cases, the context itself is not very clear to him.
What I really loved about the book is the way the author describes things in the book. Right from
the way the old market area in Amritsar is set up, to Ramchand's sensitivity is beautifully portrayed.
Ramchand's amazement when he sees women wearing the sarees that they bought at the shop. For
some reason he had never put it together that people wear the expensive sarees they buy to
functions and weddings. Instances of how the sales people at the shops are considered invisible or
non-existent by the customers as they talk and gossip away while browsing through the saris. The
rich-poor divide is well brought out. Ramchand is easily affected by the others around him. Even

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