Book Review: Stories From Kathasaritsagara

Kathasaritsagara is a collection of 11thcentury India Fairy Tales and legends retold in Sanskrit by SomaDeva.  It means “ The Ocean of Stories” and rightly so because there are 18 books with about 124 chapters each.  Stories are themed around love, loss, intrigue, bravery and wisdom. 

“ Stories from Kathasaritsagara” by Devika Rangachari are a collection of 10 of the best from this vast ocean of stories. They have been retold in a simple and lucid manner in simple English.

The first story is about a man called Putraka who founded the city of Pataliputra. The plot is filled with twists and turns. Putraka escapes an assassination attempt by his own father. He comes in possession of magic flying shoes, a vessel that makes food on its own and stick that can bring to life whatever one writes with it. Putraka falls in love with a princess Patali and creates the city of Pataliputra in her honor.

Sample another one. The Abandoned Children about the story of how a brother and sister are lost in a forest and what becomes of them. This is an Indian version of the much more recent Fairy Tale Hansel and Gretel.

As with any work of literature pre-dating our times, if the book is to be read to a younger audience, parents might have to modify it a little and suit it to context. But, for older kids the stories can be read as is,  and will provide a great insight into the cultural ethos of the time and place they were set in. Some stories have a moral take away, some don’t. But the plots are almost always twisted and the kids are likely to read through it as it will be pique their curiosity.

Buy your copy at just INR 88 here

Educational Value: 5/5

Role Models & Attitude Portrayal: 4/5 ( Characters have to be given a leeway because they are part of a different social context)

Age Band - broad band : 12+ years

Publisher : CBT

Retold by : Devika Rangachari

About the Reviewer:

Roomana Basha: Mother to a book lover  | Founder and CEO ekdali.com | Loves books - Currently reading Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick | Fitness Freak | History Buff

Bangalore Literature Festival

This is quite an exciting time for us at Ekdali. Literature and books gets us very excited. Last year we walked in to the Bangalore Literature Festival as a visitor and we were enthralled by the width and depth of literary activity it presented. This year Ekdali visits as a partner, fascinated still, but with a added hint of pride. Visit us at the books section in the Bangalore Literature Festival! When: 27th and 28th October 10:00 Am onwards Where: Hotel Lalit Ashok Entry is free. hashtag#ekDaliGetsLit hashtag#blrlitfest

Book Review: Adventures with Hanuman

“Everyone can see and hear and talk to someone from a story they know and love”, many of us can relate to this statement. This is also the statement Hanumanji gives by way of explanation to the surprised Raghu, when He materializes in Raghu’s room.  Raghu is a 12-year-old boy and he is upset about his life! His problem is the same as what most of us go through. When life is simple and everything is peaceful, boredom sets in. This is what makes Raghu yearn for an adventure.

When Hanumanji materializes in his Room, he offers to take him on his adventures. Raghu protests saying that all his adventures are over, the Ramayana is over, Sita has been found and there is nothing left to do.  “ The Ramayana is always happening”, says Hanuman, “ every time someone reads it”.

Thus begins an adventure for Raghu where he accompanies Hanuman as he plays his role in the greatest epic of our time!

Every reading of the Ramayana is different, because you experience it differently. Every story teller tells it differently. Arshia Sattar  in her book “ Adventures with Hanuman”, describes it as a 12 year old boy from our times as experiencing the Ramayana. This makes it easier for 12 year olds from this generation to read and relate to the story.

Raghu is not a mute spectator in this Ramyana. He assists and aids Hanuman. The conversations that the two protagonists have are laced with wisdom and yet conveyed in a simple manner. This book is also age appropriate as Hanuman returns Raghu back to his bed, before starting the final battle, which is filled with all the gore of a war!

This is an endearing rendition of the Ramayana that every pre teen must own.

Educational Value: 5/5

Role Models & Attitude Portrayal: 4/5 ( We take away one point, because the protagonist is sometimes a little casual that can border on disrespect)

Age Band - broad band : 11+ years

Publisher : Rupa

Author : Arshia Sattar

Illustrator: Sunaina Coelho

About the Reviewer:

Roomana Basha: Mother to a book lover  | Founder and CEO ekdali.com | Loves books - Currently reading Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick | Fitness Freak | History Buff