बात वही है! (It’s All the Same!)
by Nina Sabnani and illustrated by Satyanarayan Suthar
“बात वही है!” (It’s All the Same!) by Nina Sabnani and illustrated by Satyanarayan Suthar. Translated to Hindi by Sushma. Published by Tulika Books. A charming book about the Kaavad form of storytelling from Rajasthan which shows that there can be multiple versions of a story but the essence remains the same.
Two Kaavad bhaats storytellers Pappuram and Kojaram narrate a story each about why God Ganesha is always worshipped first. They do so with the help of their Kaavads which are wooden boxes used for storytelling. The brightly painted panels in the box are used to bring the story to life.
The first story is told by Pappuram. This one features God Shiva and his family. How God Ganesha got blessed by his father that he would always be worshipped first before the other gods and goddesses. The second story is by Kojaram and set during the wedding of Rama with Seeta in the time of Ramayana.
My almost eight year old enjoyed reading the book. We bought the Hindi version as he is learning to read in Hindi. While we already knew the version narrated by Pappuram partly, the other version by Kojaram was something new for us. Ganesha is his favourite God and he loves reading books featuring him :) He is now keen to see a Kaavad in action. The book is part of “Our Myths” series.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 5+.
Reasons to Read
The book introduces the Kaavad form of storytelling to children.
The book tells two charming versions of why God Ganesha is worshipped first.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika Books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.