Six books to bring children close to rural India

Rural India is a happening place but it may not always be possible for city residents to visit and witness the magic of village life. Here’s where books come to the rescue! As aptly said by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” 

This World Book Day, we bring to you a list of six books on rural India to help acquaint children with rural lifestyles, landscapes and culture from the comfort of their homes. While specially designed for young readers, these works can be equally enjoyed by book lovers of any age.

The Why Why Girl

Published in 2003, The Why Why Girl by Jnanpith Award winning writer Mahasweta Devi, is an inspiring picture book on rural India. It revolves around the life of Moyna, a 10-year-old girl in a tribal village. She yearns to go to school but cannot do so because of responsibilities like fetching water and collecting firewood. Yet the young girl is so full of questions and curiosity that she earns the title ‘the why why girl’. She questions everything, ranging from the size of stars to why she cannot go to school. The story follows Moyna’s encounter with the narrator who introduces her to the fascinating world of books. The story explores themes of women empowerment and other gender issues, and has been translated into several languages, including Telugu, Malayalam and Marathi.

The Blue Umbrella

Ruskin Bond’s The Blue Umbrella, another popular book on rural India, is set in a small village in the hills of Garhwal in Uttarakhand. The protagonist Binya earns herself a fancy blue umbrella which becomes an object of envy for a shopkeeper called Ram Bharosa. The narrative vividly portrays village life through daily activities that define relationships in close-knit communities while delving into the themes of desire, jealousy and kindness. It also allows readers a glimpse into traditional customs and culture of rural Himalayan lifestyle.

Watch: The life of a nomadic boy in Ladakh 

The Village by the Sea: An Indian Family Story  

Anita Desai’s The Village by the Sea: An Indian Family Story depicts rural hardships and resilience. It is a heart-warming story of 13-year-old Lila and her 12-year-old brother Hari, who live in a small fishing village in Maharashtra along with their younger sisters Kamal and Bella. Their mother is bed-ridden while their father is an alcoholic, which forces Hari to migrate to Mumbai (then called Bombay) in search of livelihood. Lila is left behind to manage the family. How the family faces the challenges that come their way, with help and affection received from strangers, forms an inspiring storyline. Desai won the annual Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize for the book in 1983. 

Malgudi Days

Renowned author R.K Narayan’s iconic book Malgudi Days is a collection of 32 short stories, set in the fictional village of Malgudi in south India. These stories revolve around the lives of common folks, allowing young readers to get a glimpse into the everyday life and social fabric of small towns. While some stories make you laugh, some are underscored with solemn themes. The simplicity of narrative in this iconic book on rural India further makes it a widely read novel among children and adults alike. This novel was also adapted into a television series by Shankar Nag, aired in the year 1986. 

The Magic of the Lost Temple 

This novel by Sudha Murty takes its readers on an adventure to a small village in Karnataka. The protagonist of the story is Nooni, a young girl spending her vacations at her grandparents’ village. Here she engages in several fun-filled activities, ranging from making papads to picnics and learning how to ride a cycle. While the plot of The Magic of the Lost Temple is an exciting read for youngsters, it may also bring back nostalgic childhood memories for older readers. The story takes an interesting turn when Nooni, intrigued by an ancient stepwell in the middle of a forest, sets on a journey to unveil the age-old mysteries behind it.

Bena’s Summer

Bena’s Summer, a novel by Shibal Bhartiya, explores the themes of family and community dynamics and girl power through the lens of the eight-year-old protagonist, Bena. Based in two small towns of India, this is the story of one summer vacation that takes an unexpected turn due to communal tensions in Bena’s locality. The first half of the book is filled with delightful elements of summer and childhood in the 1970s and ’80s, while the second half explores more serious themes such as the impact of riots on the innocent, young Bena. This book is suited for teenagers, young adults and adult readers alike. 

Also Read: 5 books on rural India to add to your reading list