Spark of Light

Spark of Light is a diverse collection of short stories by women writers from the Indian province of Odisha. Originally written in Odia and dating from the late nineteenth century to the present, these stories offer a multiplicity of voices – some sentimental and melodramatic, others rebellious and bold – and capture the predicament of characters who often live on the margins of society. The stories included here provide examples of the great richness of Odishan literary culture. In the often shadowy and grim world depicted in this collection, themes of class, poverty, violence, and family are developed. The work of these authors contribute to an ongoing dialogue concerning the challenges, hardships, joys, and successes experienced by women around the world.