The Keepers of Darkness is a picture book about the indigenous tribal community named Irula. It takes the readers through the vibrant colours which exist in darknesss too—as opposed to the popular belief that colours are visible only in the light. Mamta Nainy and Upasana Agarwal have done a very good job of bringing the colours of connectedness and community knowledge alive in the darkness.
The book presents the recounted words of grandmothers’ sayings about who the Irulas are, and what they do. There are words that tell us how tribespeople belong to the forests, and how the forests connect the land and ocean. Then there are also words that tell us about co-existence:
‘Kaale ghane jangalon ke bina hum kuch nahi hain,
aur hamare bina yeh jangal kuch nahi hai.’
(Without our damp, dark forests, there is no us,
And without us, there are no forests.)
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. It was a glimpse of the vibrance of a simple life without really sharing any specific anecdote to glorify or make the readers overly sympathize with the Irulas’ lifestyle.
This book will be a wonderful addition to one’s library if the children like to draw, like poems, or are interested in tribes. The book is a beautiful addition to the type of books that dwells on the theme of communal lifestyle.
I’m glad I got to read it and I’m sure my engagement with the book doesn’t end here. It will keep coming to me in various stages of my life.