Small stories find a huge audience at the recent book exhibitions, as children’s theatre finds a bigger stage too

Turn the pages and unfold the magic, adventure, mystery, mythology as 14-year-old, “God-gifted” Akela takes you on a journey that’s simply thrilling. Sahitya Akademi award-winner Chaman Nahal’s latest work is the Akela Trilogy, which according to the author, is an imaginative blend of science and mythology, the stories focusing on today’s times, “and bringing out a sense of wonder of life.’’ The protagonist Akela is a Delhi Public School student, who is granted a gravity ball by Brahma, with which he can move anywhere. Lord Shiva gives him the vision of his third eye in the form of his spectacles, while Vishnu empowers him with a mirror, which can kill his enemies. Akela and the Blue Monster, Akela and the Asian Tsunami and Akela and the UFOs, the effort adds Chaman, here at Capital Book Depot, has been to fascinate audiences with a synthesis of Indian imagery and modern thought. Humour, a quick narrative, a fresh genre, Punjabi ethos, this series is simply captivating. Talking of new children’s literature in India, at the recent book fair by the National Book Trust (NBT) there was a lot to pore over, “of the 15 crore business NBT does in a year, 30 to 40 per cent is from children’s books, which in fact is our backbone,’’ agrees Dr Baldev Singh, Chief Editor NBT. What’s impressive is the fact that many books in the children’s section are written by Indian writers, so the feel is of home, with characters and settings so familiar and adding to the charm is excellent publishing quality and great, affordable prices. “We now have a special section, translations of renowned authors like Prem Chand, Manto, Tagore and it’s all a merit selection. The idea of such frequent book fairs is to connect publishers, writers and readers,’’ adds Dr Baldev.

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