A Melody in Mysore: A Patriotic Musical Soiree [Review]

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Title: A Melody in Mysore (Songs of Freedom series)
Author: Shruthi Rao
Cover illustration: Samar Bansal
Published by: Duckbill (an imprint of Penguin Random House)
Type: Paperback
Length: 144 pages
Age recommendation: 8 years and above  (publisher’s recommendation is 10 years+)

This book is a part of Duckbill’s “Songs of Freedom” series which explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

A Melody in Mysore is set in the 1930’s and follows the life of young Leela in the kingdom of Mysore. The kingdom of Mysore progressed tremendously under the modern and liberal Wodeyar rule and was relatively free from British interference.

The author, Shruthi Rao masterfully crafts the story and a sepia-tinted Mysore springs to life from the pages. Her attention to detail and Kannadiga nuances will hearten you and leave you reminiscing about your grandparents.

Young Leela is growing up under the watchful albeit strict gaze of her grandmother (having lost her mother early on and her father working in another town). Leela is curious about the freedom struggle unfolding in the rest of the country and is fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi. She is drawn into the freedom struggle when her relative, Malathi akka moves into town. Malathi akka introduces Leela to the gramophone (and other revolutionary ideas) and what follows is a remarkable story of how one can contribute to the freedom movement despite being young!

The author also highlights the role of music (and the gramophone) in mobilising the masses during the freedom movement.

One of the things that stood out to me (as a fellow Kannadiga) are the cultural references peppered throughout the story: from the mouth-watering dishes (Doddapatre tambuli-a yogurt side dish made of ajwain leaves; Girmit- a regional bhel puri snack) to the cultural practices( washing one’s feet in the backyard before entering the house) and literary icons (Da Ra Bendre and Kuvempu). A special mention to Samar Bansal for thoughtfully incorporating all of these into cover illustration.

Another highlight of the book was how the author has done an in-depth research into pre-independence Mysore and spun a story brimming with passion, nostalgia and patriotic fervour.

Grab this book to find out how Leela contributes to the Independence struggle. I would highly recommend this book to the curious kids who want to learn about how children were impacted by the freedom movement.

As always, do your ‘alilu seve’ (another cultural reference from the book, you have to read it to learn about it!), and order the book from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),

CLICK & BUY NOW!

You can read the reviews of The Chowpatty Cooking Club and That Year at Manikoil on this website. You can also explore the other newly released books in the Songs of Freedom series here.

Disclaimer: Sowmya is a part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.