The Witch in the Peepul Tree
It is Makar Sankranti, 1950, when the body of 16-year-old Sanaz’s body is discovered in Dada Bhai’s house in Bohrawadi, Udaipur. A few in and around the house that day are Zamindar Rao sahib of Singhgarh, who likes a good whipping; the devout degenerate Hariharan who has found his calling in the newly minted Hindustan; Nathu, the young Bhil visiting from a remote tribal village to inform Dada Bhai of a leopard kill; the attractive Parijat, the night soil worker; and Sugra, who rolls the rosary and wishes for the jeevti dakkan—the living witch on the peepul tree—to be her secret ally.
The narrative follows one day of the kite flying festival and ends at the beginning of Makar Sankranti, 1950.
Available at your nearest bookstore and online. Amazon Link.
VIDEO TRAILER
Interview in MID DAY: 4th March 2025:
The Witch in the Peepul Tree Super-shortlisted for The Asian Prize for Fiction
Press Trust of India (PTI): Arefa Tehsin’s book makes it to Asian Prize for Fiction super shortlist
The Week: Arefa Tehsin’s book makes it to Asian Prize for Fiction super shortlist
The Print: Arefa Tehsin’s book makes it to Asian Prize for Fiction super shortlist
Udaipur Times: Arefa Tehsin’s The Witch in the Peepul Tree Makes it to The Asian Trio
SCROLL.IN: Arefa Tehsin and Mrinalini Harchandrai’s novels shortlisted for the 2024 Asian Prize for Fiction
PTI (PRESS TRUST OF INDIA): Two Indians in Asian Prize for Fiction Shortlist
THE WEEK MAGAZINE: Two Indians in Asian Prize for Fiction shortlist
The Print: Two Indians in Asian Prize for Fiction Shortlist
Dainik Bhaskar – The Asian Prize for Literature Shortlist
Habib Ki Report: उदयपुर की लेखिका का उपन्यास ‘एशियन प्राइज़ फ़ॉर फ़िक्शन’ के लिए शॉर्टलिस्ट
UdaipurTimes: उदयपुर की लेखिका अरेफ़ा तहसीन का उपन्यास “एशिया प्राइज़ फॉर फिक्शन” के लिए शॉर्टलिस्ट
Quotes:
Masterclass Organised by The Asian Prizes:
Session at Jaipur Literature Festival 2024
Talk at Minsara Galleria, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Reviews/Interviews/Media Coverage:
Pippa Rann Books, UK: The Witch in the Peepul Tree
Interview: Gyan Adab Book Club, Pune
Namita Gokhale lists The Witch in the Peepul Tree in Best of 2023 Books: My Choice
https://openthemagazine.com/cover-stories/best-of-2023-books-my-choice/
The Hindu:
Blogs:
Queen of Treasures: “It is not an ordinary book.”
Tomichan Mitheikal’s Blog: “It is as provocative as it is haunting.”
Books and Muggles: “Arefa Tehsin has weaved a brilliant period drama where she takes the readers to one part of India undergoing a drastic change.”
Jai’s Jottings: “…an excellently plotted and meticulously crafted thriller”
K’s Train of Thoughts: “Arefa Tehsin weaves a fantastic periodic drama with a tinge of mystery…”
Frontlist: “…a mysterious and eye-opening story that will force you to question the complexities of society.”
Undecided in Dubai: “…reads like a suspense series on an OTT platform.”
Arefa Tehsin 