Northeast Four books Short reviews

Short Reviews
INDIA’S NORTHEAST. By Udayon Misra. Pp. 366, Second Edition, 2017. (Oxford University Press, New Delhi, Rs 995).

IS THAT EVEN A COUNTRY, SIR!. By Anil Yadav. Pp. 247, 2017. (Speaking Tiger, New Delhi, Rs 350).

MOTHER WHERE’S MY COUNTRY?. By Anubha Bhonsle. Pp. 250, 2016. (Speaking Tiger, New Delhi, Rs 499).

LAND OF THE DAWN-LIT MOUNTAINS. By Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent. Pp. 371, 20 colour photos, 2017. (Simon and Schuster, London, Rs. 499).
INTO THE HIDDEN VALLEY. By Stuart Blackburn. Pp. 261, 2016. (Speaking Tiger, New Delhi, Rs 350).

The above books cover India’s Northeast areas. These areas are recently being paid much attention and for a traveller and trekker these books bring much knowledge.

The first book by Udayon Misra is a scholarly exposition of the entire area. It narrates the current topics and issues with references. The author was a professor of English at the Dibrugarh University and does full justice to the subject. If one is looking for scholarly insights and studies this is the book for them.

Journalist Ani Yadav’s book is translated from his Hindi book, with a catchy title – Woh Bhi Koi Desh Hai, Maharaj. It sounds less dramatic in English, but the bewilderment of this question comes across all the same. With one companion he visits the area before the elections of 2000. Talking to various strata of the society during their unorganised travels he learns a lot about how outsiders, especially the Hindi speaking visitors and migrants are treated in the region. Lightly written with a good deal of humour, it brings out the problems of living in those societies. He compares it to how people from the Northeast find it challenging while settling in the other parts of India. Interesting take!

Mother Where is my Country is also written by a journalist. Bonsale sneaked into Manipur to meet Sharmila Irom, an iconic non-violent rebel. She was protesting the AFSPA, (the Armed Forces Special Powers Act) which has been a controversial decision now for decades. After this visit in 2006, she returned to Manipur many times and recorded interviews with a wide spectrum. This book is based on those interviews and narrates the events in Manipur through those experiences.

Land of Dawn-Lit Mountains is a travelogue about Arunachal Pradesh. Introduced to the state by two friends, the author travels alone on a motorbike to several areas. She narrates her experiences, little history and her views on the state. As Arunachal Pradesh is now slowly opening up to the Western travellers, few such books are bound to be published. Their experiences based on a single trip also add to build up the final picture about the state. Hope the western world and the press, will take interest in more detailed and authentic writings about the state in future.

The last book, Into the Hidden Valley, is a small novel written on the Apatani folklore in Central Arunachal Pradesh. The author, Stuart Blackburn, is very knowledgeable about these areas, having spent relaxed time in the valley. He has produced three tomes about language, culture and the folklores of Apatanis. He first travelled to India in 1970 and has a long experience of studying the societies in transition. His work on Oral Tradition of tribes is path-breaking. He taught at SOAS in London for many years. His novel here is based on historical facts and people living during those times. There is interaction with faith, Apatani culture and British Forces which invade the area. The events are historically correct and within this framework, Blackburn weaves a tale which tells a story of tribal society. It is a fascinating way of presenting true events in history and presenting life during that period.

THE LAND OF MOONLIT SNOWS. By Gaurav Punj. Pp. 203, 45 colour pictures, 2018. (Tranquebar, Chennai, Rs 399)

While trekking in the lower Himalaya one comes across many interesting incidents and people. You do not have to go to high altitudes to enjoy the real Himalaya. This is what the author has done. He has gathered experiences on his not-too-popular treks and narrates them as travel stories. He has trekked wide and wit a variety of company and hence and his bag of experiences is full. This is his second book, after The Land of Flying Lamas which was an instant success. I am sure the present book also will be well accepted. Here in addition author has given tables about these treks which acts a guide book to someone who may wish to follow the trail but rest assured, the trail may be same, your fun and experiences will be different.

HARISH KAPADIA