Samina Mishra’s Roop and the River Crossing, illustrated by Shivam Choudhary addresses the historically difficult theme of Partition of India and Pakistan with remarkable ease and sensitivity for children. Memories of the Partition are deeply rooted in the minds of people of both countries, and stir deep emotions. We come across a vast variety of literature, ranging from anecdotes, stories, poems to articles, essays, biographies and memoirs. The book stands out for viewing this tragedy through the eyes of a child. Award-winning author Samina Mishra tells a poignant tale of a dark chapter in history. Through Roop’s journey, she weaves a story of connections, resilience and finding an anchor in turbulent times.
The protagonist, Roop, a young girl, doesn’t understand what Partition means. But she overhears conversations among the adults in her home and listens to the radio broadcasting news of the Partition. In an attempt to keep her safe, her parents and family members try to shield her from the trauma of Partition. Roop is deeply troubled by separation from her friends Noor and Preet due to Partition.
Two key elements in the story offer a unique perspective. One is Roop’s toy: a kaleidoscope. Roop sees the world through it, blending colours together. For her, red, blue, green and purple are not separate. They merge into one. The kaleidoscope unites them. But when she sees the world outside, where colours are divided, it hurts her. The second is the river, which serves as a metaphor. Rivers often mark boundaries. You can see the other side, but crossing it isn’t easy. It requires resources and helps from others. Roop receives help from a Pathan to cross the river. Initially, she hesitates to trust him because of his appearance. A reflection of preconceived notions which are also present in a child’s mind. But it is this very Pathan who helps her cross, challenging her biases. Through Roop’s journey, Samina Mishra weaves a story of connections, resilience and finding an anchor in turbulent times
A common practice in many stories for children is that their characters are always treated in a ‘childish’ manner. We assume that children cannot understand certain things so we avoid discussing them, or we over-simplify things for them. However, Samina challenges this notion in her book. The writer understands that its characters live in the real world; hence, she does not shy away from introducing sensitive and important topics through the characters in her story.
The story captures the emotional upheaval of losing one’s home overnight, perhaps never to return, setting out in search of a new one. For a child, this is deeply distressing. Yet, there is hope. Home is made of people, and Roop’s family is with her.
The illustrations by Shivam Choudhary expand the narrative beautifully. They tell their own story alongside the text, conveying emotions and offering glimpses into the unique world of children. If we were to view words like ‘Hindu’, ‘Muslim’, ‘Sikh’, and ‘Christian’ through a kaleidoscope, they would blend into a single colour, a single shape. The words swirling in Roop’s mind would no longer appear separate, they would merge into something new and unified.
In essence, this is a captivating book for children. It presents the topic of Partition with great sensitivity. The production quality of the book is also exceptional.