Amar Chitra Katha

My generous childhood friend, Kunmun, used to have a huge collection of Amar Chitra Kathas (ACK)s and I was a keen borrower! However, it is this title of ACK, 'Gopal And The Cowherd' that is etched in my mind ever since I first read it as a child.

To me, it is one of the best ACK in the 'Fables' category. It is a heart warming Bengali folk tale of a simple little village boy who is scared to cross the jungle to attend school. His mom suggests that he calls out to Krishna, his brother, for help. And sure enough Krishna appears and escorts Gopal to school and back. Gopal doesn't realise that he is the God, Krishna. It is when he takes a pot of curd as a gift from Krishna to his school master that he realises that something is special about this friend.
It is written by Gayatri Madan Dutt, illustrated by Ram Waeerkar, and edited by Anant Pai. Please grab a copy not only because the story is so touching but also because the illustrations are so real- showing every emotion and thought.

You can either buy it online from Flipkart or from the ACK website: http://www.amarchitrakatha.com or look out for it in any of the large bookstores in your city.

Anant Pai passed away in March, this year. A touching obituary, http://m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/7691545.cms, talks about his personal life while another  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/07/anant-pai-obituary sums up his work.

Long Live Uncle Pai! He really played a big role in providing good reads in my childhood!