Mysteries of Hampi
R. KRITHIKA
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Hampi through the tales of TJ (Tenali Junior).
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Most Indians have been brought up on tales of Tenali Raman, the witty jester at the court of king Krishnadeva Raya. So one more book may not seem surprising. But Kavitha Mandana's Tenali Raman takes a different approach.
Sulekha, the narrator of the book, is in Hampi with her mother, a famous photographer. She has been given time off from school on the condition that she prepares a project on the Vijayanagara empire. Though surrounded by archaeologists and historians, Sulekha finds it tough going till she meets TJ (Tenali Junior) who claims to be Tenali Raman's descendant. Though sceptical, Sulekha lets him tell her stories of his famous ancestor, while simultaneously picking up tidbits for her project from her mother's colleagues — information that The historical information about the Vijayanagara Empire is woven in neatly so that the book does not seem like a quasi-history textbook. Much of the history comes from Professor Bhat, who is hunting for the royal stables at Hampi. The success of Sulekha's project depends to a large extent on the information he pours out. Though the end does seems rather tame, the book is a good way to introduce history, often perceived as boring, to youngsters.
Tenali Raman, Kavitha Mandana, Penguin, Rs. 175.
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