Sergei Vladimirovich Perelyaev (1978-2021) wrote stories and poems of lasting value. The noted writer Marina Moskvina describes him, borrowing a Japanese expression, as "a treasure for humanity".

The translator Dr. A. Charumati Ramdas (M.Sc. [Maths], B.Ed., Ph.D. [Russian]) has published more than 70 books, including her direct Hindi translations of "Master and Margarita" (M. Bulgakov), "Doctor Zhivago" (B. Pasternak), "Cassandra's spot" (Ch. Aitmatov), "The duel" (A. Kuprin) and several works of A. Pushkin, I. Bunin, A. Chekhov, S. Nosov and several other Russian writers. Charumati's publications include a Russian-Marathi Students' Dictionary, a textbook of English for Russians, some books on literary appreciation.

Sergei Perelyaev was constantly in touch with Charumati through e-mail. An ardent fan of Indian films, he was keen to see the publication of a Hindi translation of his book. Unfortunately, like a vast majority of celebrated Russian writers, he died very young and missed the Hindi version published by Charumati a couple of months ago on pothi.com.

As a tribute to Sergei's talent and as a bonus for his love for India, Charumati has now translated the book into Marathi. Marathi readers will doubtless be delighted with Sergei's book. -Prof. R.D. Akella