U Sier Lapalang
by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih and illustrated by Maya Ramaswamy
“U Sier Lapalang”, a Khasi tale retold by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih and illustrated by Maya Ramaswamy. Published by Katha. A moving and unforgettable tale from Meghalaya, the land of clouds. For hundreds of years, the words of this story have echoed through its wooded hills and sacred groves.
U Sier Lapalang was a young deer who lived with his aged mother in the foothills of the Ri Khasi region. His mother doted on him and tried to keep him happy always. She felt that there was no other creature on earth which was more accomplished than him. He basked in his mother’s love and soon grew big-headed and proud. They led a quiet and peaceful life. But Lapalang wasn’t too content with things like his mother. He longed for some change and adventure. He was getting sick of the same old mundane routine at home.
One day he set off to the distant highlands much to the dismay of his mother. She bid him farewell with tears in her eyes. She warned him that far away was the land of Gods with cool forests, green hills and beautiful valleys dotted with streams and brooks. But it was also the land of fierce warriors who would hunt him. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Brushing off her fears, Lapalang went on his way promising to return soon. What happened next? Did Lapalang like his journey? Did he come across the warriors that his mother had warned him about? Does he return home to his mother? This is what the poignant story is about.
My (then) six year old loved the story and we read it several times. The landscape comes to life in front of our eyes through the beautiful illustrations. The beautiful bond of selfless love between the mother and her child is undoubtedly the highlight of the story.
At the end of the book, there is a fact sheet on bringing back the spirit of Khonoma. How hunting can lead to destruction of wildlife and how the people of Khonoma village in Nagaland found a way to bring back the animals and birds to their land through eco tourism has been explained well. All in all this is a must read book for everyone despite it being a poignant one. Our earth is beautiful and we need to share it with all creatures big and small. We have no right to hunt them for sport or pleasure. The book is apt for children aged 6+.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Katha books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.