Parthiban's Dream

A melting pot of mystery, adventure...

Chandamama
(June 2007)

A gripping story spanning a wide canvas, Parthiban’s Dream is a melting pot of adventure, mystery, romance, black magic and history. It is cast in the times of the Cholas and Pallavas, and brings alive the period in its lively and intricate description of the life and times of the people. In the background is the bustling port town of Mammallapuram (now called Mahabalipuram) and the sound of stone-chipping and sculpting can almost be heard as the writer describes the dream of Narasimhaverma Pallava, the King of Kanchi.

In the foreground is Woriyur where the waning Chola kingdom is surviving on the dreams of King Parthiban. Burning with desire to restore the Chola kingdom to its past glory, Parthiban raises his flag in defiance of the powerful Pallava ruler and refuses to pay taxes to the Pallava state. A war ensues and Parthiban loses his life on the battlefield. Enter a strange character – the Sivanadiar – a strange old man ostensibly dressed like a devotee of Lord Shiva, but obviously he is a lot more than that. Parthiban dies, leaving his infant son and young wife in the cares of the Sivanadiar.

The novel picks up the thread of the story six years after the death of Parthiban, with his son grown from a mere slip of a lad to a handsome and chivalrous young man, the pride of father’s kingdom. He lives his father’s dream as does his mother Arul Mozhi. The presence of the mysterious Sivanadiar, and the dream of King Parthiban overshadow the entire novel.

The adventurous Vikraman visits Mammallapuram and gets a glimpse of the beautiful Pallava Princess Kundavi. Unaware of each other’s identity, the two fall in love with each other. However the Chola Prince’s identity is revealed and the wrathful Narasimhaverma, finding his enemy of his doorstep, banishes him from his kingdom. Vikraman seeks his fortune in the lonely island of Shenbaga Nadu where he is easily accepted by the people as their ruler. Bolstered by his new status, Vikraman makes bold to regain his old territory. Black magic in the middle of thick forest, a vicious hunchbacked dwarf, and several shadowy characters from a hazy past complete the picture that is Parthiban’s dream. Who is the Sivanadiar? What role does she play in the story? Do Vikraman and Kundavi marry in the end? To know the answers to these, you really must pick up the book.

A simple and elegant style of writing and eloquent charcoal illustrations in a folksy style are highlights of the novel. A pictorial historical map, tracing the Pallava and Chola kingdoms, would have added spice to the presentation.

- Sumathi Sudhakar.

The Author

Kalki

The Translator

Gita Rajan

The Illustrator

Srivi Kalyan

Publishers: Katha
Cover Design: Geeta Dharmarajan
Cover Art: Srivi Kalyan
Age Group: 10 + years
Statistics: 240 pages
ISBN 81-89020-64-1 [PB]
Price: Rs 150 [PB]

Kings, Kinship and Valour

Tales of Adventure

"Stories of kings and battles of long ago."

The Hindu
(The Young World, 12th January 2007)

Abanindranath Tagore's Rajkahini is a series of tales about kings, kinship and valour. The stories also prove that kingship isn't just about grandeur and luxury. He was a painter and perhaps that's why his novel at most parts seem to be word pictures of forts, battle and kings of long ago.

Rajkahini may at times, when the details get too much, seem very like a very colourful history book. The first few stories may seem superior in terms of characters, situations and the settings while in the later tales the decline of circumstances and grandeur in the personal characteristics of the royalty is striking. Their descendants undergo a natural decline and this is subtly indicated throughout the stories. The earlier stories are tales of valour where men live by the sword and in the latter ones the battlefield is abandoned and treacherous methods of poisoning are adopted to ensnare and kill.

Translated from the original Bengali version, it almost seems as if the translator has superimposed English over the work.

- Paromita Pain

About the author

Abanindranath Tagore

Illustrations and Inside Drawings

Vikram Nayak

Publishers: Katha
Series: Katha Pocket Plus Series

Age Group: 13-17 years

200 pages

ISBN 81-89020-52-8 [PB]

Price: Rs 120 [in India and the subcontinent]

THE MYNAH FROM PEACOCK GARDEN

(Young World, The Hindu, April 21st, 2006)

All she wanted was a hill myna. She never thought of the trouble it would cause. A translation from the original Urdu.

A heart-warming tale of a father's love for his motherless daughter, The Myna from the Peacock Garden begins Katha's series of translations for young readers.

The tale is simple: Kale Khan works in Nawab Wajid Ali Shah's Peacock Garden. And his daughter wants a hill myna for a pet. Unable to afford such an expensive pet, he takes one from the nawab's collection reasoning that with 40 mynas flitting around the cage no one would take an exact count. The rest of the story concerns Kale Khan's attempts to ensure that no one figures out what he's done and to keep the smile on his daughter's face.

Sagaree Sengupta's translation carries the reader along into a different world. You can almost see the events unfolding before you as Kale Khan gets caught, but is pardoned by the emperor. He even gets the myna that he stole. But now the British Resident wants that myna.

The original Urdu story was by Naiyer Masud. While the cover mentions Naiyer Masud and art by Premola Ghose, there is no mention of the translator.

- R. Krithika.

The New Indian Express

(School Magazine, March 22, 2006)

Falak Ara is a mynah. A hill mynah that is capable of speaking and imitating any voice. Among the 40 mynahs housed in the majestic cage in the Royal Peacock Garden, Kale Khan, the caretaker of the birds, steals Falak Ara for his little girl who is motherless and has been pestering him for a hill mynah.

The story is set during the reign of Sultan Wajid Ali Shah in Lucknow. Kale Khan's daughter, who is also named Falak Ara, takes instant liking for the mynah. But her joy is short-lived. The king arrives in the garden one day and asks, "I don't see Falak Ara today." Nabi Baksh, the minister, tries to pacify the King. But Kale Khan is exasperated. He rushes home and manages to convince his daughter that the mynah needs to be taken to the hospital as 'she is in a bad shape'.

The birds are the centre of attraction at the garden as they enthrall the royal guests with their songs. But it's Falak Ara which is the cynosure of all eyes when it starts singing. Kale Khan can't believe it. will Kale Khan get a royal pardon. Read the book to find out more about Falak Ara and her mynah.

The story, originally writeen in Urdu, is a fine work of translation. Apart from written in a simple language, there are pictorial illustrations, bringing the story and the ancient age come alive. the innocence of childhood and the seriousness of theft as an offence are interwoven well to bring out a delightful tale. A recommend purchase for all who simply love good stories.

- Amy Vigel Raj

About the author

Naiyer Masud

About the illustrator

Premila Ghose

Publishers: Katha

Series: Pocket Plus

Age Group: 10 + years
ISBN 81-89020-45-5

Price: Rs 95