Dancing Bear
by Manasi Subramaniam and illustrated by Gwangjo Park and Jung-a Park
“Dancing Bear” by Manasi Subramaniam and illustrated by Gwangjo Park and Jung-a Park. Published by Karadi Tales. A moving tale of a young boy named Altaf belonging to the Qalandar tribe. For generations his family had been working with dancing bears. They were an ancient gypsy tribe who were descendants of the royal entertainers of the Mughal emperors. The profession had been handed down across generations.
On his twelfth birthday, his father gives him a sloth bear named Somu. Altaf is very proud of his ancestry and excited to go dancing with Somu. They start off well but Somu seemed exhausted at the end of the dance. When Altaf examined him, he found that Somu was bleeding at the mouth. The rope tied through his muzzle had caused several cuts in his jaw. He anxiously runs to his father with this news. But his father brushes off his concerns saying that such things happen all the time and he shouldn’t worry. Altaf sees his neighbour Bhavik Chacha lashing his bear Toufan with a whip and forcing him to dance. Bhavik Chacha tells Altaf that Somu will not listen to him if he talks so nicely to him.
When Altaf realises that the bears are subjected to inhuman treatment and forced to perform against their wishes, he is no longer interested in making them dance. Somu wants to be free and unchained. Can Altaf understand this? Will he do something about it even if it means going against his community? Where can Somu and other such bears be taken if they are freed? This poignant story about the issues of dancing bears in India is an eye opener to their plight. My six year old was moved by the story and liked it. Apt for 6+/7+ year olds. Overall a lovely story addressing the topic of conservation of wildlife and living in harmony with all creatures.
Further reading up on this topic led me to an article on Geeta Seshamani who has been instrumental in ending the cruel practice of bear dancing and rehabilitation of both bears and the Kalandar community. More can be read about her in this article.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Karadi Tales here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.
