Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold

• Title: Dakshin: South Indian Myths And Fables Retold
• Author: Nitin Kushalappa
• Pages: 252
• Price: Rs.206
• Publisher: Puffin Books

By C.P. Belliappa

Reading the compendium of fifteen South Indian fables retold by Mookonda Nitin Kushalappa will transport the reader to a wonderous world of fairy tales full of angels, demigods, kings, queens, talking animals, birds, insects and the ubiquitous villains.

Nitin has carefully selected the stories from popular folklore with their origins in Southern India.  He has given the book the title – Dakshin – which is most appropriate. These fables are several centuries old and have been passed from generation to generation by grandparents, parents, and the professional story-tellers of yore.  I am sure, every time a story is narrated it would have undergone some changes, additions and further fantasy added on.  In retelling these stories, Nitin has given them a new flavour with his distinctive writing style. 

Each of the stories takes the reader on a whirlwind of fantasy.  As the story builds up you get drawn into phantasmagoria of the fable. By the time the story peaks the reader is drawn into the vortex of the tale wondering what comes next.  Every story invariably has an unexpected ending. And every story has a moral. The book is targeted at children nine years and older.  It’s a collection that can be enjoyed by young adults, adults, and senior citizens as well. 

The book is richly illustrated by Pari Satarkar.  There are four stories from Nadikerianda Chinnappa’s Pattole Palame, enhanced with the protagonists in Kodava attire, that will warm the hearts of Kodavas. 

I was very happy to read the inclusion of the story of Punyakoti which I am sure will bring childhood memories to those of my generation.  My mother used to sing this ballad to us when we were young.

Dakshin, published by Puffin Books (Penguin Random House), has already topped the charts on several platforms.  There are rave reviews of the book by the young and old.  The book is on its way to becoming a classic.  Hearty congratulations to Nitin.  I am sure he has many more tales to tell.