The festive season brings with it a touch of merriment and celebration. Ganesh Utsav is perhaps the right time to celebrate the eternal wisdom of the elephant-headed God. However, when we speak of Lord Ganesha, how can we miss talking about Modaks? 21 Modaks for Ganesh Chaturthi by Nandini Nayar and Chandrima Chatterjee (AdiDev Press) tells us the tale of two brothers Nitin and Neeraj, who are busy helping their parents prepare for the festival.
The story is a simple warm depiction of a modern urban family, still honouring time tested traditions in celebration of the much loved festival. Right from what goes into making a modak, to actually preparing it, selecting an eco-friendly idol, the decoration of the pandal, doing the Aarti and the whole process of preparation that goes behind the festivities, one can see all this from the point of view of a child. The boys gladly participate in the chores and bring fruition to the celebrations.
The beautifully illustrated images capture the visual beauty of the festival as well as how such events bring the entire family together. Few pages at the end have information on the festival as well as a transliteration of the Ganesha Aarti with its meaning.
21 Modaks for Ganesh Chaturthi by Nandini Nayar and Chandrima Chatterjee is an apt picture book for the 2 to 7 age group. Additionally, it could be a great gift for children during the Ganesh Utsav.
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