Mukand and Riaz
by Nina Sabnani
Friendship Day Special. “Mukand and Riaz” by Nina Sabnani. Published by Tulika. A poignant tale of friendship between two children set against the backdrop of the partition of India in 1947.
Mukand and Riaz are best friends. They live in Karachi. Riaz loves Mukand’s cricket cap and wants it. But Mukand will not let him wear it as it is his lucky cap. When Mukand falls off his bicycle, Riaz takes him to a bone setter and helps him. When Mukand gets better, they get back to playing cricket. Suddenly a military van comes and stops on the street where they are playing. An English soldier steps out and asks them to to go home.
Mukand and Riaz ignore the soldier’s words and go around the market. They visit their favourite bakery and snack on some buns. They go to the library. Their usual routine goes on for a few more days. Then things are set in motion which seem so unexpected and sudden for them. The teacher does not come to school.
Riaz comes to school a bit later and tells Mukand that he must hurry home. The country has been divided into two (India and Pakistan). Mukand’s family has to pack and leave for India. Mukand doesn’t understand what has happened. On the way he sees strange things. People chasing each other and shouting. The violence has already started and there is blood on the streets.
The rest of the story is about how Mukand and his family manage to leave Karachi safely with the help of Riaz. And how their friendship was beyond arbitrarily drawn boundaries.
The Mukand in the story was the father of the author. She has used the shared crafts of the region of Gujarat and Sindh for illustrating the story which adds a lovely touch. This book has been one of the favourites of my seven year old since last year. The book worked as a means for me to introduce one of the most painful episodes of our country’s history to him. Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this beautiful book! The book is apt for children aged 5+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.