In her book Contemporary English-Language Indian Children’s Literature, author Michelle Superle stated that up until the 1970s, most Indian children either read Western children’s literature, or a smattering of Indian mythology.
However, as the publishing industry in India slowly blossomed, so did the variety of Indian children’s literature. While publishing houses are dedicated to churning out innumerable original children’s texts, they are also revisiting some of the best children’s literature that India has to offer. The vaults have been unlocked and lo and behold! An entire world of innovative rethinking of the past is discovered.
If you liked the titles that we’ve put up here, feel free to download our database, to browse through hundreds of Indian children’s books!
Modern Mythology: Taking on the Stalwart of Indian Children’s Literature
The most obvious, yet sometimes the most innovative adaptations, have been of history and mythology. Fresh perspectives from alternative characters are discussed in order to highlight the rich depth of the Indian story telling tradition.
Name: “Krishna” (2013)
Author: Prema Jayakumar
Illustrator: K. R. Raji
Publisher: Mango Books
Price: Rs. 95
Mango Books’ beautifully retold “Krishna” regales the hugely popular tales of the mischievous young Krishna. The book, part of the “Mango Classics series”, as an adaptation does not confine itself to mere retelling; it also provides a reserve of secondary sources and questions that the reader should be asking about the tales. Such adaptations stoke the curiosity of the young reader and compelling him to question the nature of simply everything that that is encompassed in Indian mythology, be it themes, symbols, motifs or the characters themselves.
You can find out more about Mango Books and Mango Classics by clicking here.
Name: Kama vs Yama (2011)
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Illustrations: Vishal Tondon
Publisher: Puffin Books
Price: Rs. 99
In this book, Devdutt Pattanaik brings together two diametrically opposite Gods, Kama (the God of Love) and Yama (the God of Death), introducing young readers to the Hindu pantheon in an innovative manner. Pattanaik is renowned for his fresh takes on Indian mythological giants such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and many others. The book is part of the “Fun in Devlok” series, in which Pattanaik manages to balance the depth of traditional mythology with the light heartedness of childish innocence, allowing for children to grasp the true messages that mythology conveys at their own pace.
You can find out more about Puffin Books and Fun in Devlok by clicking here.
Name: “Shivaji” (1971)
Comic Script: B.R. Bhagwat
Illustrations: Pratap Mulick
Publisher: Amar Chitra Katha
Price: Rs. 70
Name: “Brave Women of India” (2009)
Author: Anant Pai
Publisher: Amar Chitra Katha
Price: Rs 250
A stalwart in the Indian publishing industry, Amar Chitra Katha has been heralded for publishing high quality comics on traditional Indian folklore and mythology since its inception. However, as the years have passed, the publishing house has brought out starkly different titles. Be it comics on Shivaji, Kalpana Chawla or J.D. Tata, the publishing house has extended the timeline of folklore and mythology, covering the urban greats in its trademark style. These adaptations are of great import, as they pay homage to modern leaders, who would have had a very tangible impact on the lives of their readers.
You can find out more about Amar Chitra Katha and its innovative adaptations by clicking here.
Reliving the Greats: Adaptations of Indian Literary Superstars
The adaptations of children’s literature are vast, ranging from translations from vernacular languages or foreign languages, to fresh takes on stories by superstars of the Indian literary world.
Name: “The Clouds and Waves” (2011)
Author: Rabindranath Tagore
Illustrator: Sunaina Coelho
Publisher: Katha
Price: Rs. 120
Name: “The Champa Flower” (2012)
Author: Rabindranath Tagore
Illustrator: Jaikar
Publisher: Katha
Price: Rs. 120
Katha’s beautifully illustrated adaptations of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Clouds and Waves” and “The Champa Flower” are a testament to the brilliance of the new Indian literary adaptation. The magical universe that Tagore creates for the small child in the poems are complemented by vivid illustrations. The impact of such heavily illustrated adaptations is immense, as not only do they introduce young readers to the wonders of one of India’s greatest literary figures, but, they also highlight the impact that illustrations can have on a child when shaping their creative faculties.
You can find out more about Katha and their adaptations by clicking here.
Name: “A Bagful of Mystery” (2009)
Author: Satyajit Ray
Illustrator: Tapas Guha
Comic Script: Subhadra Sen Gupta
Publisher: Puffin Books
Price: Rs. 99
Gone are the days when Indian comics were synonymous with Amar Chitra Katha’s mythological masterpieces. The Indian publishing industry has diversified extensively, adapting its mediums over a wide range of genres, in order to cater to a young modern audience. Puffin Books’ adaptation of Satyajit Ray’s famous Feluda detective series reads like a breath of cool air. The entire series is presented as a comic, with the beautifully created panels matching the suspense of the mysteries with ease.
You can find out more about Puffin Books and their Feluda series by clicking here.
Perfecting Pedagogy: Reinventing the Folktale
Name: The Puffin Book of Folktales (2013)
Authors: Manjula Padamanabhan, Sudha Murthy, Paro Anand, Musharraf Ali Farooqi, Devdutt Pattanaik, Shashi Deshpande, Ruskin Bond, A.K. Ramanujan, Meera Uberoi, Kamala Das
Illustrator: Poonam Athalye
Publisher: Puffin Books
Price: Rs. 499
Folk tales in India are no longer confined to the pedagogy of the Panchatrantra and Jataka tales. Publishers are making a very conscious effort to adapt modern folk tales in order to provide some accessibility in morality and diversity to young children. Such adaptations allow modern Indian authors to present the country’s cultural heritage to its youth, in a relatable manner and style. Puffin’s sumptuous tenth anniversary special, “The Puffin Book of Folktales”, is a perfect example by this. Accompanied by Poonam Athalye’s soothing oil paint illustrations, the book compiles ten short stories from then of India’s most acclaimed authors, ranging from Sudha Murthy to Ruskin Bond to Kamala Das.
You can find out more about Puffin Books and their other Folk Tales by clicking here.
An Era of Globalisation: Adapting the Foreign
Name: Anokhi’s New Friend (2012)
Author: Tove Appelgren
Illustrator: Salla Savolainen
Translator: Arundhati Deosthale
Publisher: A&A Books
Benefactor: Finnish Literature Exchange
Price: Rs. 80
While the phrase “global village” has become a tad bit overused, it holds great relevance in the modern world. Children in India are now being exposed to a multitude of cultures through various media. In order to bring the (largely incomprehensible!) world to the Indian child in an accessible manner, publishing houses often team up with foreign cultural institutes. These institutes provide the funds for Indian publishers to adapt their country’s literature to suit the Indian market, resulting in wonderful adaptations, such as “Anokhi’s New Friend”. Financed by the Finnish Literature Exchange, this adaptation of a popular Finnish book is a perfect example of adaptations in the global era.
You can find out more about A&A Books and their publications by clicking here.
You can find out more about the Finnish Literature Exchange by clicking here.
A Side Note
The German Book Office (New Delhi), a joint initiative between the Frankfurt Book Fair and the German Foreign Office, also promotes the adaptations of German and Indian literature between the two regions. You can find out more about the New Delhi branch of the German Book Office by clicking here.
The Hardest of Them All: Adapting Non-Fiction
Given the liberty of expression that fictional writing lends itself to (in any media), it is often hard for non-fiction books to grab attention with the same ease. However, some publishing houses take this difficulty in their stride, producing stellar works that effortlessly combine creativity and facts.
Name: Baaja (2014
Author: Mamta Nainy
Illustrator: Aniruddha Mukherjee
Publishers: Mango Books
Price: Rs. 95
For all the connoisseur’s of music who double up as parents, this book is an absolute dream. The book combines the myriad musical traditions of India (and their intricacies) with delicately sketched black and white illustrations. The poetic narrative style ensures that the young reader remains engaged and at the same time, learns about India’s rich musical traditions.
You can find out more about Mango books and their other non-fiction titles by clicking here.
Name: How it Works: Televison
Author: Navkala Roy
Illustrator: Subir Roy
Publisher: Children’s Book Trust
The Government run Children’s Book Trust is a hallmark institution in the country, providing high quality books at extremely affordable prices. The book showcased here is just one of many: the publishing house is dedicated to providing informative, engaging non-fiction. Characterised by the usage of simple language and bold, colourful illustrations, all of the non-fiction titles from the Children’s Book Trust are must have in the non-fiction shelf of a child’s library.
You can find out more about the Children’s Book Trust and their other non-fiction titles by clicking here.
References
Books
Superle, Michelle. Contemporary English-Language Indian Children’s Literature. New York: Routledge, 2011. Print.
Images
A&A Books,. Anokhi’s New Friend. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Amar Chitra Katha,. Brave Women Of India. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Amar Chitra Katha,. Shivaji. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Children’s Book Trust,. How It Works: Television. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
DC Books,. Krishna. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Katha Books,. The Champa Flower. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
“Katha: Clouds And Waves By Rabindranath Tagore”. Katha-bethechange.blogspot.in. N.p., 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Mango Books,. Baaja. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Penguin Books,. A Bagful Of Mystery. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Penguin Books,. Kama Vs Yama. Print.
Penguin Books,. The Puffin Book Of Fairytales. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
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