#392 - The Incredible Life of Savitribai Phule

by Swati Sengupta and illustrated by Devashish Verma

“The Incredible Life of Savitribai Phule” by Swati Sengupta and illustrated by Devashish Verma. Published by Talking Cub, the children’s imprint of Speaking Tiger. A short illustrated biography of Savitribai Phule , a fearless and trailblazing reformer, who sowed the seeds of change in the fields of women’s education and social injustices.

The story starts in 1840 on the day of the wedding of Savitribai who is just nine years old. She  was worried and anxious about her future. Child marriage was the norm in those days. Her groom was thirteen year old Jyotirao Phule. Not knowing what she was getting into, Savitri felt sorrowful as others around her were happily bustling around. Little did she know what her destiny held in store for her and how she would end up as a pioneering personality in the field of women’s education and become a fearless reformer.

Savitri liked to imagine herself as an educated person who could read and write. She wished she had access to the knowledge in the books by knowing how to read the letters. Jyotirao supported her wholeheartedly by teaching her and encouraging her to learn. Both of them worked hard and inspired each other in every possible way. They knew that they had to bring about formidable changes in the society to allow people from lower castes like them as well as women to get education. The oppressed people needed to know their rights and be given a chance to lead a life filled with dignity and knowledge. Read the book to know more about the incredible journey of Savitribai who went on to become one of the first women teachers in India and set up schools for women and those who had been denied the right to education.

My almost 9 year old son and I were moved by the story. The plight of Savitribai and the society in general those days is something that we can’t even understand fully. Her grit, perseverance, strive for excellence, simplicity, rational thinking and the courage to go on despite so much opposition and odds stacked against her with the unwavering support of Jyotirao who stood like a rock with her always are commendable. The duo ensured that they created a path on which there was no looking back and reforms of both social and educational nature saw the light of the day. While there was the expected opposition to what they did, help came in from unexpected quarters as well. In their journey, Savitri and Jyotirao were helped by people who were Brahmins, Muslims and Britishers. This led to a discussion with my son on how we cannot completely generalise and judge people just based on their religion or caste or nationality or any such other parameter. Education being denied to certain classes either on the basis of social standing or caste or gender was universal in those times. And the struggle of the downtrodden from other parts of the world inspired Savitribai. Most books of the time give us stories of the Independence struggle and how India pushed back on imperialism. In this book we saw a different perspective of why someone like Savitribai appreciated the British for having helped communities like hers by bringing in certain laws and reforms thereby improving their living conditions.

The book is part of a new series of short and illustrated biographies of Indian icons for younger readers by Talking Cub. The series aims to introduce readers to a diverse group of Indian achievers, both well-known and those who should be. The other books that we’ve read and loved in this series so far are “The Incredible Life of Milkha Singh”, “The Incredible Life of Jhalkari Bai” and “The Incredible Life of Birsa Munda”.

Recommended Age

The book is apt for children aged 9/10 and above.

Reasons to Read

The book is a good means to know about the life and work of a strong and feisty social reformer Savitribai Phule.

Where to buy from?

The publishers Talking Cub here.

Disclaimer - We received this book from the publisher, Talking Cub, for review. Thank you to Tanu, from Talking Cub, for sending across the book!