Author : P Anuradha
Illustrator : A V Ilango
Who should get more rotis — Ookamma or Ookaiah? A folktale about a quarrelling old couple is woven into another story about the lives of children in a village, growing up, playing, going to a government school, watching adults squabble, feeling hunger, understanding friendship and, most importantly, sitting under a neem tree and listening to stories from an old grandmother. Originally in Telugu, this came out of a collection of stories around the Dalit experience. Well known artist A.V. Ilango's strong, flowing lines recreate the earthy ambience of rural Andhra.
Originally in Telugu
2018: Best of Indian Children's Writing: Contemporary
Rs. 150.00
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| Age | 6+ |
| Specifications | 24 pages; 10.5” x 8.5”; full colour; soft cover |
| Translator | Manohar Reddy |
| ISBN | 978-93-5046-060-3 |
| First Published | 2012 |
| Tags | story by Dalit writer, Dalit experience, childhood, caste, real story, folk tale, family, food, friendship |
An interesting read
The story, at its basic level, is about a group of children listening to a folktale narrated in installments by the village story-teller Nainamma. She narrates the well known story of Ookamma and Ookaiah. However there are additional complications. The issue of equality of the sexes and equal importance of their work and roles in society comes up. Goodbooks.in
Reread the book several times
I liked how the book draws links between listening to stories, literacy, and studying through Kala while also showing that stories are a source of pleasure for her. The narrative doesn't press upon the reader in any way, it rather allows things to seep in, preserving complexity. — Anagha Gopal