Just returned from a holiday in Pench (MP).
Apart from the tiger and leopard, both of whom gave us lovely darshan, caught up with Kipling.
Pench and Kanha are Kipling Country. "Just so stories" is amazing. Sitting in a tent in the jungle, at dark and listening to "how the leopard got its spots" or "the camel got a hump" is fantastic. Colonial literature has its own charm.
Which got me thinking.... what are we ... if not for Corbett, Kipling, Kenneth Anderson and Ruskin Bond .... the best wildlife description, country description, bringing the jungles alive visually ... we have to be eternally grateful. Whether it is "maneaters of kumaon"(Corbett) or "sivanipalli" (Anderson) ...or Kipling's Madhya Pradesh ... simple but evocative writing at its best. If we include Nature, we cannot miss out on Bill Aitken. From Nandadevi to "Seven Sacred Rivers" these are essential reading.
I strongly feel and keep recommending to School libraries as well ... anyone from 8th std onwards, its time to introduce them to Corbett and Kenneth Anderson. Bond and Kipling can start from age 5 onwards. Oh for some good readers !
Last year Shabbir volunteered for Corbett reading and quite a few kids turned up. This summer, i don't mind doing a wildlife week ! Any takers ?
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