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Amitav Ghosh’s new book “Jungle Nama” is set in the backdrop of the alluring forests of Sunderban. The book modernises the famous folk tale of Bon Bibi – a revered deity that protects the forest and its inhabitants. Ghosh’s affair with the famed mangrove forest continues in Jungle Nama, with the plots of both the Hungry Tide (2004) and Gun Island (2019) having found a haven in it. The short novel treads on the familiar theme of man versus nature emphasising man’s transgression in places he should not. The story revolves around Dhona, a greedy wealthy merchant, Dukhey, a poor boy who lives with his mother, Dokkhin Rai, an enigmatic spirit who shape-shifts into a tiger, Bon Bibi, the benevolent protector of the forest, and her majestic brother Shah Jongoli. Jungle nama manages to skillfully capture the extent of man’s greed and its consequences. The narrative relied on by Ghosh is based on the original poems written about the compassionate Bon Bibi sometime in the late 19 century. These poems were composed by Munshi Mohammad Khatir and Abdur Rahim Sahib, respectively, written in Bengali. The lyrics highlight the victory of Bon Bibi, the goddess of the forest, over Dokkhin Rai, a demonic spirit who shape-shifts into a tiger to feast on any human who trespasses on his territory. Bon Bibi is the protector of all those who survive on the forest offerings for their livelihood—regardless of caste, community, and religion. Even to this day, Bon Bibi is revered, and her benevolence is for all. She is revered by Hindus and Muslims, upper and lower castes alike. Amitav Ghosh’s mesmerising story-telling and Salman Toor’s fabulous illustrations bring the imagery alive in the readers' minds and quickly make it Jungle Nama, a book an avid bibliophile would want on his shelf. This book is best to read aloud, especially to children, and can be the perfect material for a play! The book is also being made into an audiobook in collaboration with Ghosh’s former student at Harvard – famed PakiHarvard–more famous Ali Sethi. This book attempts to attempt the ecological disbalance mankind faces, a humanity man’s own making. Jungle nama traverses all ages and can be picked up by the young and old alike. Despite its direDespiteictable theme, ‘man versus nature and of ‘good versus evil’, the author manages to hit a home-run through his narrative, that of the 21st century’s biggest crisis – climate change.
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