Songs of Freedom: Postcard from the Lushai Brigade by Hannah Lalhlanpuii
My take on the book:
In 1942, in pre-independence India, in the Lushai Hills in Aizawl of Mizoram, a young boy Bawiha lived with his elder brother Kima, his mother and his grandmother whom he called Api. After Bawiha’s father passed away due to Tuberculosis, his mother worked at the bungalow of Mr McCall, the superintendent of The British administration. Soon Bawiha also joined his mother as the mother-son duo worked hard all day in Mrs McCall’s kitchen.
Bawiha grew up listening to the stories narrated by his Api about superheroes with magical powers. He was fascinated by these stories and imagined that these superheroes existed and longed to see them in action someday. However, life changed for the residents of this sleepy town when war comes calling, after Japanese troops attacked and drove away the British troops from Burma, the next destination seems India and specifically the Northeast border.
When there is a call for volunteers to enroll in the British Indian Army, in anticipation for the impending war, Kima promptly applies and is also selected. When the first army vehicle arrives in the town, when training begins for these selected young boys — the locals are in awe of everything about the war and kids like Bawiha are thrilled at the prospect of holding a real gun. What does the postcard from Kima bring to his kid brother and family forms the rest of the story.
The story begins with the fascination the young lad had for heroes with magical powers and ends with him realizing what it means to be a hero in real life. The story highlights the ugly truth of war and how it affects the common people while those in power use them as pawns. The surroundings of Aizawl and the Lushai Hills is vividly described by the author.
The irony of the British rule in India is also well captured by the author. There are not many books written in the context of Lushai Hills in the Indian history or specially about the Northeast region and its historical significance, hence this book will be a good pick for young kids to learn about this important topic. The highlight of the book however is the heartwarming bond shared by the brothers. The poems by Api are a bonus and are soothing as well as thought provoking.
Highly recommend this book to everyone, especially young adults as it makes for an important read to know about the freedom struggle and the significance the Northeastern region of India played in it.
My rating:
5/5.
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile
View Comments (27)
Any novel set in the Northeast elicits my interest, maybe because I lived in Shillong for 15 years. Loved your review.
That's wonderful to know that this post reached someone who lived around the area this book is set in. And thanks for the kind words about the review.
The fact that this novel is set in pre-independence North East India is enough to rouse my interest, a well-narrated story with well-etched characters like Api and Bawiha is indeed a joy to read. Thanks for the review.
Nicely reviewed, Kiranmayi.
Your 5/5 had compelled me to check out the book
The author has chosen a nice plot on the lesser-known areas of India. Any book written on the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle grabs my attention. Thanks for sharing your review, got to know a new book to add to my TBR list.
I have read very few books set in the Northeast. I reviewed a book called Name Place Animal Thing on my blog. Maybe it would be of interest to you. Meanwhile, I think I should pick up this book to educate myself. Link to that post - https://aishwariyalaxmi.com/2021/10/03/name-place-animal-thing/
Sounds like an interesting read. I am interested in books set in North-east. I haven't read many. Just Janice Pariat's books, I think. I posted a tweet recently asking about books from North-east. Thank you for your review.
I have read about these Songs of Freedom series in another post. This book sounds like a must read, I love reading regional stories as they are educative and open our minds to how people see things in other parts of the country. In this case, this little boy sees the reality of war and the turbulence that comes with it. It's a shattering thought to see your dreams broken and your hero is only your own courage.
"The story begins with the fascination the young lad had for heroes with magical powers and ends with him realizing what it means to be a hero in real life." I think this line is something special. Lovely review! I'm loving the exploration and awareness that authors are bringing to their audiences.
You said it very well, that the battles of World War II in the north-east of India, are not well known. Even in adult literature, very few books in mainstream cover that area. Your review has certainly piqued my interest.
Your review is inspiring to captivate my interest in the book. It took me to a place I had only heard of and to a time of repressed freedom for its inhabitants and the hard realisation of a young adult how life differs from the childhood fantasy introduced through storytelling. Have an excellent time and Cheers!