Ashru Ani Hasya by V. S. Khandekar

"I started storywriting in 1925. The next 1213 years I was writing stories as and when time would permit. During those years I was teaching in a school.`` "Today, while going through the 13 stories included in this book "Ashru and Hasya`, many a thoughts are surfacing my mind. Most of these stories are written during my 15 years` stay in Shiroda. While going through them I am recollecting my stay at Shiroda, which I had almost forgotten. It was a small village, having natural beauty, beautiful atmosphere, those villagers who unknowingly had enlightened my mind for a story, many sweet and sour incidences, these all have a special place in my mind. Today, at this stage I can even eye "the Khandekar` during those days with a neutral mind. 1925 was the peak period for Marathi short stories, I was an active member, but by 1940 this golden era of Marathi short stories had come to an end.``