Magnificent Makhna
by Aravind Krish Bala and illustrated by Sandip K.Luis
August 12 is celebrated as World Elephant Day. “Magnificent Makhna” by Aravind Krish Bala and illustrated by Sandip K.Luis. Published by Tulika. A dramatic story based on true events of a legendary tuskless male elephant from the western ghats which is believed to have protected the forests from poachers and timber traders for many years.
The story starts off with Moorthy the Makhna who lives in the hundred year old Theppakadu elephant camp at Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary. Makhnas are tuskless male elephants who are usually quite aggressive. Contrary to this, Moorthy is one of the gentlest creatures who happily poses for tourists taking pictures of him. But he hasn’t been like this always.
The Gudalur forests beside the Mudumalai and Bandipur Tiger Reserves were home to rolling Shola grasslands many years ago. This led to timber merchants flocking there to chop down the trees for their wood and thousands of acres of forests were cleared for coffee and tea plantations. This was when a Makhna came to the forest from the neighbouring Silent Valley National Park. He started thwarting the attempts of poachers and tree cutters. Soon the whole area was abuzz with stories from those who had managed to escape from the clutches of the Makhna. Locals started fearing him. Mystery, magic and terror filled the forests.
For six months, the Makhna ensured that no poacher or tree cutter dared to enter the forest. He would thrash, throw and trample anyone who attempted to enter the forest. The forest grew radiant once again with the sounds and colours of the wild. The Makhna remained hidden all along this period. He managed to be caught only in a picture by a wildlife photographer. He is walking calmly amidst the trees in the picture.
Unlike the imagination of the locals, he was not a giant with killer eyes and bloody jaws. This photograph adorns the walls of many homes in Gudalur. The tribals worshipped the Makhna as he did not hurt them when they collected fruits, berries and fodder from the forest. For the first time they were made to feel like the forest was their home. In a region where no man was a hero, the Makhna had become a legend!
Did things continue this way? Would the Makhna be able to keep the forests safe forever? How did he end up in Theppakadu camp? Read this beautiful gripping story which draws our attention to the cause of conservation of forests and wildlife. The illustrations are charming and bring the landscape alive as we read the book. I enjoyed reading this with my seven year old. It was like a thriller, just like “Black Panther” by the same author. Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this amazing book! The book is apt for children aged 6/7 and above.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.
A “Memory of Elephants” from our collection! The “Gajapati Kulapati” series which my son loved have been given away and are therefore missing in the picture.
