Such poignant words illustrate the various shades of the night sky, and the many creatures that come alive at night.
I got the opportunity to read both the English and the Hindi book together, and found that reading the words in these two languages simultaneously opened my mind to different perceptions.
The other black and white illustrations in the book also kindle the imagination of the reader to create unusual, goose-bumpy mental pictures that metamorphose into comforting ones, as and when the stories begin to give solutions to the dire present- day condition,
The question of translation always brings with it multiple expectations. For some, a translation must remain faithful to the original; for others, the text should be supple enough to absorb the nuances of the language into which it is being carried.
The illustrations in the book are inspired from dense urbanized places with inadequate space wildlife. Beyond images and verses of catchy rhyme, there is the dark background representing the disastrous effects of dumping overwhelming amounts of junk and litter into water bodies, of which the animals and birds have to face the consequences.
At the heart of the story lies Akru, a strange and fascinating animal. The plot revolves around a humorous yet thought-provoking contest between the Idu Mishmi tribe and the spirits of the mountains (Ngolo/Golos) over Akru’s ownership.
The book has an intensity, emotion, and beauty to it, which makes sure you read it in one go. Whether its Chitty’s playfulness, the rich landscape or some moments of emergency, the description holds your rapt attention.