The Ichi Tree Monkey and Other Stories

<p>Description</p><p>'[Bama has] painted the Tamil-Indian village from the perspective of the cheri</p><p>(Dalit colony) thus turning the socio-cultural geography upside down.' -The</p><p>Hindu</p><p>From the author of the widely acclaimed novels Karukku and Sangati this is</p><p>a fiery feisty collection comprising all the stories from her acclaimed book</p><p>Kusumbukaran and new ones written for this volume. Set among the Dalits of</p><p>rural Tamil Nadu these stories display the full potential of the 'weapons of</p><p>the weak'-small everyday acts of rebellion sharp irreverent humour and a</p><p>determination not to be crushed and extinguished.</p><p>Pachayamma in 'Chilli Powder' taunts the rich landlady Gangamma by</p><p>collecting fodder only from her fields despite dire threats and laughs in the</p><p>face of blustering policemen. The handsome and audacious young Ammasi</p><p>leaves a landlord fuming in impotent rage by calling him his brother. A pig and</p><p>a monkey debate which of them deserves a higher status. A ghost demands</p><p>whisky and insists he has no caste.</p><p>Bama's prose bristles with the raw energy and vitality that comes from living</p><p>close to the ground and Ravi Shanker's translations retain all the power wit</p><p>and brilliance of the originals. </p>