Review: A Hundred Lamps – Classic Stories about the World of Medicine

 

Review: A Hundred Lamps – Classic Stories about the World of Medicine

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Edited by Yatish Agarwal and published by Rupa Publications, A Hundred Lamps brings together seven translated stories from some of the finest voices in Hindi literature, including Phanishwarnath Renu, Munshi Premchand, Nirmal Verma, and Uday Prakash. Conceived as a reflective companion for medical students, the volume seeks to illuminate the ethical, emotional, and social dimensions of medical practice through literary narrative.

The framing material—especially the National Board of Examinations’ introductory note, “The Journey Within”—clearly positions the book as more than a literary anthology. It reads almost like an informal extension of the medical curriculum, urging aspiring doctors to cultivate empathy, integrity, and a deeper awareness of their role in society. Given this positioning, it is hardly surprising that the book has enjoyed wide circulation, reaching multiple impressions.

That said, not all the stories align equally well with this stated objective. For instance, “Birds” by Nirmal Verma feels somewhat tangential to the theme. While it is a sensitive exploration of loneliness set in a residential girls’ school in a hill station, its connection to the medical profession is minimal. The presence of a doctor is incidental rather than central, and the narrative does not engage meaningfully with the ethical or professional dilemmas one might expect in a volume of this kind.

The remaining six stories, however, compellingly illustrate the ideals and challenges of medical life. The opening piece, “A Hundred Lamps”, adapted from Maila Anchal, is particularly striking. It portrays Dr Prashant’s battle against cholera in a rural setting where ignorance, superstition, and caste hierarchies complicate every medical intervention. His struggle is not merely against disease but against deeply entrenched beliefs—especially when a village astrologer spreads the rumour that inoculations themselves are a source of illness. The story vividly captures the socio-cultural terrain in which medicine must often operate.

In “Mantra”, Munshi Premchand presents a sharply etched critique of professional arrogance. Dr Chadha’s indifference to a poor patient results in tragedy, only for fate to reverse roles in an almost poetic manner. When his own son suffers a life-threatening snakebite, it is the very man he once dismissed who comes to his aid—refusing both payment and recognition. The story is a powerful reminder of humility and moral accountability in medical practice.

“Vande Mataram” addresses the systemic neglect of healthcare in remote and tribal regions. Doctors often regard such postings as punitive, yet Dr Wakankar emerges as a figure of quiet commitment, striving to serve despite acute shortages and bureaucratic apathy. His confrontation with administrative indifference, culminating during a high-profile political visit, lends the story both urgency and relevance. While the narrative is engaging, the title feels somewhat oblique; one is left to infer that the story equates true patriotism with service to the most underserved sections of society.

A similar ambiguity surrounds “Doppelganger”, where the title appears only loosely connected to the narrative. The story focuses on the psychological strain within a childless marriage and the recourse to artificial insemination, exploring themes of identity, masculinity, and emotional distance. Yet the titular suggestion of doubling or mirrored identity remains more suggestive than fully realised.

Taken together, the collection underscores the dual expectations placed on medical professionals. On one hand, they must remain deeply embedded in the social fabric, responding with compassion to human suffering; on the other, they are expected to contribute to scientific advancement through rigorous inquiry and, at times, serendipitous discovery. The stories collectively map this spectrum with sensitivity and insight.

Despite a few uneven inclusions, A Hundred Lamps largely succeeds in its stated aim. It offers aspiring doctors a literary lens through which to examine their vocation, while also inviting general readers to appreciate the moral weight and complexity of medical practice. Thought-provoking and accessible, it is a volume that lingers beyond its pages. 

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By

Ananta Narayan Nanda

Balasore, 04-05-2026

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