A Sentimental Journey: the journey truly is sentimental!

Lahore A Sentimental Journey is a book about the sub-continent by an Indian author, Pran Nevile. It describes the Lahore of the 1930s and 1940s under colonial rule and before the partition of the sub-continent.

It was first published in 1993 as Neville’s tribute to the land of his birth. The book is a memoir, reminiscing about the past and grounded in memory.

The book discusses all the primary places in colonial Lahore, such as the Government College, the Anarkali Bazaar, NCA, the museum, Aitchison College, the GPO, and many more.

It transports the reader into the heart of Lahore. Lahore is a city bustling with activity. Unaffected by race, religion and caste, it provides a place where people of all kinds coexist with harmony.

The book is nostalgic and beautiful. It recollects poignant memories of Lahore. From the springtime festival of Basant with chants of ‘Bo Kataa’ to love affairs on the rooftops and matinee shows at the cinema to twilight hours spent amongst the bejewelled dancing girls of Heera Mandi, Lahore emerges as a city of mesmerising contradictions and chaotic splendour.

The book highlights the culture of Lahore. From pimps and quacks to maligns and mendicants, Lahore offers a wide and diverse variety of characters that play an important role in the life of individuals.

The book has an epilogue and an afterword. In the Epilogue the writer says how Lahore was his first love. Lahore was the ‘Paris of the East.’ Such was the lure of Lahore.

The Wagha border was a two-way traffic. Muslims heading towards Lahore and Hindus and Sikhs towards Amritsar. Shattered by the torrents of history, they were now refugees. However, time is a great healer. Many writers and poets have written poignant prose and poetry on the anguish and pain of both sides.

The resumption of the Delhi-Lahore bus service in 2003 is an effort to promote peace and harmony between India and Pakistan.

Nevile advocates peaceful relations between the warring neighbouring countries.

In short, Lahore: A Sentimental Journey is truly a journey that is touching, passionate and nostalgic.

The book takes one through the highs and lows in Lahore. It is like a roller coaster ride with bumps and thrills.

Khushwant Singh says:

‘Old Lahories will enjoy Pran Nevile’s reminiscences’

Ian Talbot says:

‘Written in an eminently readable literary style.’

In conclusion, Lahore A Sentimental Journey is a must on your bucket list. It is interesting, catchy and informative.

A comparison can be made with Jamile Naqi’s book Though Much is Taken Much Abides. Except it talks of the postcolonial Lahore. Naqi takes the reader through all the social and cultural practices that were prevalent in those times. Her book deserves to be read for a detailed comparison between the pre and post colonial Lahore.

So read both the books if you still haven’t. They are a treat to the eyes. Pleasurable, simple to comprehend and coherent, the Lahore: A Sentimental Journey provides an interesting perspective on the Old Lahore!