‘Delivery Man,’ features several distinct narratives that delve into diverse aspects of contemporary life and human relationships. Themes of artistic evolution, social class, immigration, religion, gender, loneliness and displacement in the age of technology and social media run through the stories. The transformative power of human connection is explored by the author with nuance.
The title story revolves around Dr. Geeta, a college professor living alone in a flat in Green City. She struggles with profound loneliness and the emotional scars of a past traumatic marriage that ended in divorce. Her past experiences, including a forced marriage where her husband is likened to a “knife” cutting her soul, have left her with a deep aversion to men. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Kewal Kishan, an ordinary food delivery man holding a B. Tech degree. He provides Dr. Geeta with massages for her migraines and offers life advice, often drawing on palmistry. Shocking the readers’ sensibilities is Kewal’s delivery of himself.
In ‘Rangaan di Saanjh,’ (‘The Connection of Colors’) character Pooja’s painting evolves to incorporate “darker colors and themes of societal struggle” influenced by Narender. The story suggests an aesthetic consciousness within the narrative which reflects a deeper purpose beyond mere representation. Rasulpuri’s detailed descriptions of characters’ internal monologues and turmoil contribute to the emotional impact and aesthetic engagement for the reader.
