LET THERE BE LIGHT - A Diwali Story

by Siva K.C. Penamakuru, Sara Kuba (Illustrator)

Overview

An entrancing and exciting Deepavali celebration story with the Pasumans (Anthropomorphic beings) of Vajra Dvipa. A holiday book for everyone (starting ages 8 and above).

Diwali is a serious matter for the Pulis-Adhvika and Aadi. The preparation begins weeks in advance, usually. However, this year, it's different. Due to certain circumstances, they were not ready, despite it being Diwali day. As their friends, the Gajas--Subbu and Sumati, and Jambu, join and help them prepare the house for the festival, things inadvertently become 'Un-Diwali' like. What happens next?

Come, explore, and re-discover the true essence of Diwali along with the Pasumans - Adhvika, Aadi, Subbu, Sumati, and Jambu, as they take you on a roller-coaster ride of celebrations, traditions, songs, and festive treats. You surely are in for a Diwali Delight!!!

The book covers lots of traditions, festive treats, and rites as part of the story. There is a letter at the end explaining the diverse reasons behind the festival from all over the Indian subcontinent, the seasonal significance as well as a multipage glossary describing/translating various festival-related terms from different Indian languages(Ex: Puja, Mantra, Ladis, Laddoos, Diyas, Subhakankshalu, Kolam, Rangoli, Muhurta etc). The occasional illustrations throughout, further enhance and elevate the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798988528722
Publisher:	MayalayaS Press
Publication date:	08/16/2023
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Siva K. C. Penamakuru was born and raised in the Telugu lands of Southern India. He moved to the U.S. in 2005 for his master's education and now lives there with his family. If not working at his day job as a software professional, Siva spends most of his time with his family reading books, cooking and exploring new cuisines/recipes, and traveling. Festivals and holidays became a crucial part of Siva's cultural moorings growing up, which he cherishes to date. Let There Be Light - A Diwali Story is one such attempt to share his love for the festival of Deepavali with the larger world.

Editorial Reviews

2023-10-16
Animal-headed humans learn the true meaning of the Hindu festival of Diwali in this illustrated holiday fable.

Penamakuru’s winsome children’s book unfolds on an unnamed planet that’s much like India except that it’s inhabited by animal-headed humans. There, Aadi Puli and his wife, Adhvika, a tiger-headed couple, invite over the elephant-headed Subbu Gaja; his wife, Sumati; and their bear-headed friend Jambu Ballu to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. It features lamps, light strings, prayers, fireworks, and feasting. Unfortunately, the frantic preparations stir tensions. Adhvika is dissatisfied with a bronze diyalamp she ordered and chews out the apologetic, gazelle-headed diya-maker Hima Harin over the phone. The light string falls off the roof, and when a kindly monkey-headed stranger named Bolunath “Bolu” Krishnakant remounts it, Sumati is ungrateful for his efforts. Then Aadi and Subbu go shopping and return home with laddoo sweets and clay diyas, bragging about their success in haggling Shyam Lal, a poor, sheep-headed shopkeeper, down to cheap prices. Appalled by their selfishness, Jambu lectures them on the essence of Diwali, which is to spread light to other people—something they have failed to do that day, he notes, through their lack of compassion. The remorseful Pulis and Gajas then seek out Hima, Bolu, and Shyam to make amends, hoping to recapture a glow of good cheer. Penamakuru’s yarn features a sprightly narrative and lively, well-drawn characters; especially entertaining is Mrs. Bagh, a tigress who gloats over Adhvika’s lackluster decor. He steeps readers in Diwali rituals—the book's Hindi vocabulary is explained in a glossary—and delves into the details of everything from henna hand decorations to traditional dishes. (“Dal bati churma, so yummy Rama Rama! Pass me the korma and spare me the drama,” the revelers sing of two delicacies.) Penamakuru’s limpid, plainspoken writing can be drolly funny or quietly poignant. (Visiting Shyam and his granddaughter in their hut, “Aadi…took a diya out of the boxes he bought, looked at Minnu and asked if she wanted to light it. She jumped in excitement and looked at her grandfather. He smiled in return…‘Let there be light,’ said Aadi.” ) Kuba’s black-and-white and color illustrations impart a Disney-esque visual appeal to the story.

A charming kids’ tale that illuminates the rites of Diwali along with its spiritual import.

Kirkus Reviews

Charming animal adventure celebrating Diwali.
The pressure to make each holiday the best ever will resonate with young people and parents regardless of faith or geographic location, as will the pasumans' eventual realization that the true meaning of Diwali is what really matters.
This inventive story invites readers to suspend their disbelief while offering an intriguing introduction to an ancient and beloved celebration.

Booklife Reviews