The Legend of the Orange Princess
by Mehlli Gobhai
“The Legend of the Orange Princess” by Mehlli Gobhai who was one of the first few abstractionist artists in India. Published by Speaking Tiger. A beautiful retelling of the ancient legend of the mysterious orange princess.
In the heart of a dense jungle in India stood a marble pavilion next to a single orange tree filled with lustrous fruit. Some miles away lay the ruins of the old city of Chandpur which was prosperous once upon a time and ruled by a powerful king.
The King got a message one day that he had become a father. He rushed to the queen’s chambers in excitement and was surprised to find her weeping. She had given birth to an orange instead of a child!They named the little orange as Narangi and decreed that she be treated as a princess.
Many years passed by. One evening, the dashing young prince Prithvi of the kingdom of Boondh was passing near Chandpur . After sunset, he happened to see a dazzling maiden step out of an orange and take bath in the river. Spellbound by her flawless beauty, he went back home and told his parents that he wanted to marry an orange.
How did his parents react to this bizarre request? Did Princess Narangi and prince Prithvi get married? What happened next? What is the secret of the well hidden marble pavilion deep in the forest? The story needs to be read for that. The exquisite colour paintings made by the author bring the story of the Orange Princess alive. Thank you Vidya for recommending this beautiful book! Apt for children aged 7+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Speaking Tiger here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.