Character Sketch

Appreciation of literary qualities

This immensely popular short story is a gem in Indian literature. The present era is witnessing trouble, a clash among cultures, castes, creed and countries. In this age innocence and genuineness have gone with wind. This is the time when one does not trust another; such an immortal story like 'kabuliwala' ushers in an unbelievable freshness and fills our mind with empathy and magnanimity.

There is the affectionate attachment, the ageless bond of love between a father and a daughter. This perennial, tender relationship is depicted in the story. The master story-teller has penned a tale of a wonderful, incredible attachment between a middle-aged Afghani man and a chirpy five year old Bengali girl.

The setting is typically Indian particularly Bengali. There is an educated, middle class Bengali author who, through his imaginary wings flies around the globe. He visualizes mountains, streams, caravans, deserts and a cottage at the foot of a mountain. Such a wandering mind comes across Rahamat, a kabuliwala, who came to Calcutta for trade. The author gets interested in this tall, robust man and learns about his country. Rahamat opens a door, previously unknown to the Bengali writer. The simple nature of the man also attracts Mini's father towards him.

But this story is not about Mini's father and his imagination. This is about the pure love between the Mini and Rahamat. They come from different backgrounds. They do not know each other's language. There’s a vast age gap between them. But there is no common language when there is genuine love between a father and a daughter. 

The kabuliwala finds his daughter Mini whom he has left behind in the Afghanistan Mountains. So, despite a busy schedule, he finds time...