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Grey gods and nice demons
Anita Nair’s latest book for children “The Puffin Book of Magical Indian Myths” is inspired by the story-telling of the author’s mother and grandmother, includes the stories behind six of Vishnu’s avatars. Apart from the
familiar stories about Ganesha’s elephant head, and Nachiketa’s tryst with Yama, the book contains some stories that are not well-known. Not many children would know “How Pushan Became Toothless”, or “How Indra Prevented Drought”. “There are many books about Indian mythological stories, but the beauty is that there are so many different versions,” said the author. “During my talks with experts of Kathakali I found so many stories within stories. One of the beautiful things that I realised was that gods don’t always have to be nice and that demons often get the lean side of the stick!” Atanu Roy has illustrated the book which has 50 illustrated mythological stories.
Atanu Roy’s painstaking illustrations do justice to Anita Nair’s prose. Whether it is the fine lacy fin of Matsya, the exaggerated foot of Vamana, or the pretty Parijatha tree that Krishna stole, the illustrations are a mixed bag, and they follow different styles of artwork. “This is the first time I have illustrated mythology. And the first time I have illustrated using water colours,” said Atanu Roy.
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