The King and the Kiang
by Mariam Karim-Ahlawat and illustrated by Shalini Biswajit
“The King and the Kiang” by Mariam Karim-Ahlawat and illustrated by Shalini Biswajit. Published by Tulika. A charming story from the Yumthang Valley aka Valley of Flowers in Sikkim.
Deep in the valley lived a young girl called Kunzang. She was no ordinary girl. It is said that she had been left by her mother in a patch of rhododendron flowers when she was a baby. She grew up on their nectar and seemed like one of them when she stood amidst the flowers. Her hair was wild and red like the petals of the rhododendron flowers. The people of the valley were always peaceful and happy.
Kunzang spoke to no one and no one could remember having seen her from close quarters. She would ride on her Kiang (wild ass) through the valley. The Kiang had a flowing mane which was also red in colour like Kunzang’s hair. The people of the valley believed that their wishes would come true if Kunzang looked at them with her crimson eyes. No one tried to harm this strange child of wilderness.
Across the mountain passes there came a powerful king called Bhu-pen with his army. He was known to love horses. When he caught a glimpse of Kunzang riding her Kiang, he mistook it for a magnificent stallion and was awestruck by it. He wanted it for himself. What happens next? Does he ask his soldiers to get the Kiang for him? Can Kunzang give up her Kiang? This is what the story is about.
The beauty of the region is portrayed so well by the story as well as the illustrations. Loved the colours used as well. My seven year old loved the book and calls Kunzang as the child of nature. A big shout-out to Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for yet another rocking recommendation. This was our first book about Sikkim. And yes, the urge to visit Yumthang Valley just got stronger with this story :)
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.
Yumthang Valley
The Yumthang Valley popular as Valley of Flowers is in North-eastern Sikkim. It is home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary which has over 24 species of Rhododendron, the state flower of Sikkim. When the flowers bloom from late February to mid June, the valley is carpeted with multi coloured hues like those of a rainbow and a sight to behold.