Chandrasekhar Kambar is an illustrious Kannada writer, who is acclaimed for the rich mythopoeic imagination of his work. He is the president of the Central Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. The Government of India has recently honoured him with the Padma Bhushan (2021). In addition to many other prestigious awards, Kambar has also received India’s highest literary award, the Jnanpith Award, in 2010. Kambar’s oeuvre of 25 plays comprises well-known works like Jokumaraswamy, Siri Sampige, Mahmood Gawan and others. He has penned 11 poetry collections and seven novels. His critical writings focus on folk theatre and literature. This versatile genius has also made award-winning films and directed music. Krishna Manavalli is a professor in the Department of English, University of Mysore, India. She is a literary critic and translator who works in English and Kannada. She has published internationally in important literary and cultural studies journals. In addition, Krishna has given talks at major literary festivals, conferences and seminars across the world. Her publications include translations of Chandrasekhar Kambar’s works Karimayi, Shivana Dangura and Two Plays of Chandrasekhar Kambar.
<p>‘Save the tree, that’s a wood nymph you see!’ Readers of Indian folklore will immediately relate these words to India’s finest mythmaker and Jnanpith awardee, Chandrashekhar Kambar’s works. When the Wind God Fell Sick and Other Folk Tales, a delightful collection of several folk stories and a play, opens up fantastical vistas in children’s literature while addressing environmental concerns like saving trees, conserving forests and keeping our world green and clean. With marvellous multilayered plots, this book transports young readers into a world full of gods, demons, princesses, sorcerers and also common people.</p><p> These are tales of adventure, romance and good-natured humour. ‘Daughter of the Kino Tree’ celebrates the victory of love against hostile supernatural forces. In another tale, the eponymous Wind God ails with a strange sickness. In ‘Gullava and the Lord of Rain’ the evil king Bhupathi gets all trees chopped to prevent the Lord of Rain from visiting Earth. Naturally, there is a calamity. ‘The Tale of the Flower Queen’ is a play about a wood nymph who can transform into a tree. </p><p>When the king of the land marries this Pushparani, his jealous senior queen plots to kill her. </p><p>The fight between humans, who are bent on cutting a tree, and the animal world, which forms a protective ring around it, is a superb climax. </p><p>The collection includes other fascinating stories too. Krishna Manavalli’s brilliant English translation brings the rich folk sensibility and a vibrant Kannada idiom to readers of the younger generation and to those young at heart. </p><p>The author is a Jnanpith-award-winning writer. The enchanting tales and the vivid storytelling make this a delightful read. </p><p>The writer transports you immediately into another world. This collection is an entertaining, heart-warming and delightful read for children and adults alike.</p><div><br></div>
