After reading 'A Real Durwan,’ I’ve found Boori Ma to be one of the most interesting characters I’ve encountered this semester. Boori Ma is a refugee of the Partition of India in 1947, which was an event that had a huge impact on both the people involved as well as their descendants. In the story, Boori Ma often reminisces on her old life before the partition, mentioning marble floors and baths scattered with flower petals. She sorrowfully recalls her four daughters and husband. While the other dwellers sympathize with Boori Ma, it is clear that they are also slightly annoyed that she keeps mentioning her previous wealth. This makes sense- the apartment is a very middle-class residence, without much money for luxuries. They are also annoyed because they believe Boori Ma’s stories are complete lies—something that the reader may suspect as well.
Personally, I believe that there may be truth within her stories. Often times lies are based on a small truth, and just travel further and further away over time. As a refugee, Boori Ma very likely experienced intense emotions: sorrow over losing her belongings, home and perhaps her family. While some of the material things may have not truly existed, the emotions are definitely there.
And that’s why I don't think it matters if she's lying. Believe her, don't believe her, how much of a difference does it really make? The feelings she's experiencing are what really matter. It's similar to Tim O'Brien's war stories: a story's 'truth' is its ability to capture raw emotion. And for both O'Brien and Boori Ma, telling their stories to others (in her case, she only has the tenants as her audience) may be their own way to cope with the pain of loss.
