लाल बादाम : Book review

Laal Badam is the story of Rashida and Anwar and the big badam tree in their courtyard. Rich with red fruits, the tree was house to parrots and a host of other birds. The parrots pecked at the fruits and often dropped them in the courtyard, much to the delight of Anwar and Rashida, who would pick up the fruits and polish them off in no time.

But their mother was upset with the parrots for always littering the courtyard with half eaten lal badams. And more with the children, who finished off the fruits without washing them. They had also managed to destroy the wooden doors in the house. Unable to break open the hard seed with their teeth, the children would put it between the wooden door and the frame and slam the door shut. The 

seed would break open and they would pop it into their mouth.

"ये मुए बादामों के पीछे तोतों ने नाक में दम किया है और तुम दोनों ने दरवाज़ों का सत्यानास कर दिया है !"

Between them the siblings were unable to understand what their mother was mad about. Since the door was already spoilt how did it matter that they used it to break the seed? Most children would agree with Rashida and Anwar and exchange looks when scolded by a parent. Children cannot figure out what adults want, or why many of the rules have been made. Author Rumana Hussain manages to reflect that successfully in her writing. I could feel the delight of the children in chasing the parrots, slyly picking up the fruits from the floor and obviously forgetting that they needed to be washed.

The siblings conclude that their mother is unable to appreciate the pleasure of eating lal badams because their maternal grandparents did not have a lal badam tree in their house! They decide that they have to get mother to taste the lal badams for her to really understand why they love munching on the fruits all the time.

The story is originally in Urdu and I read the Hindi translation. The language is easy to read and enjoyable, using some words and phrases influenced by Urdu. The story is based in a Muslim household (the blurb at the back of the book says its a story from Pakistan, but it could be any where in India), which is a rare sight in children’s literature in India, despite having such a large Muslim population. The illustrations by Ruchi Mhasane bring the household alive. The water colours capture details such as the vividly painted and designed kurtis worn by Rashida; Ammi’s dupattas wrapped around her head, the furniture; the cycle in the courtyard and the rocking chair on which their father sleeps. All these add depth to the story and build the background of the family.

However, this is a level 3 book and Pratham Books has targeted it at middle readers. Unfortunately, the story line and plot could be stronger to hold the interest of fluent readers. As I read the book I was expecting the story to move forward, for something more to happen and felt disappointed with the ending. The story as is could be told in lesser words.

But लाल बादाम  is representative of a multicultural world. It brings out the simple things that children take pleasure in. And one pager at the end of the book that talks about the lal badams of Karachi makes an interesting read.