Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold



Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold is a collection of 15 folktales from South India. It was authored by Nitin Kushalappa, illustrated by Pari Satarkar (artwork and cover illustration) and Isha Nagar (cover design), and published by Puffin India (a subdivision of Penguin Random House) in 2023. The book has tales of sorcerers, gods, goddesses, fairies, animals, village folk, hunters, kings, and queens. The folk tales in this book are based on diverse sources, drawn from books, songs sung at local temples, verses from regional languages, retellings of popular folklore, movies, and even comic books.

Stories

 * 1) The Tale of the Mynah who never gave up
 * 2) The Tale of Bala Nagamma and the Evil Sorceror
 * 3) The Giant Red Kangaroo, the Queen and the Hunter
 * 4) The Tale of the Singing Drum
 * 5) The Blessings of Vishnu
 * 6) The Cat and the Fly's Delicious Congee
 * 7) The Cow and the Tiger
 * 8) The Seven Fairy Princesses
 * 9) The Tale of the Last Sun
 * 10) The Tale of the Miser
 * 11) The Tale of the Jungle River
 * 12) The Tale of the Boy Champion
 * 13) The Tale of the Good Boy
 * 14) The Moon Prince
 * 15) The Sage and the River

Reviews
Sammohinee Ghosh of the Mid-day, a Mumbai daily, says that "Kushalappa’s writing strikes the reader through its detailed and in-depth research".

Shweta Sharan of the Mint, from the New Delhi-based HT Media, says, "Keen to retell and document fables and myths from India, Nitin Kushalappa MP has collected 15 fantastic folk tales from South India in his latest book, 'Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold'. Published by Puffin (an imprint of Penguin Random House India), the book is filled with tales of evil sorcerers, gods, goddesses, fairies, animals, village folk, hunters, kings, and queens."

Author C P Belliappa says in the Star of Mysore, "In retelling these stories, Nitin has given them a new flavour with his distinctive writing style... Each of the stories takes the reader on a whirlwind of fantasy. By the time the story peaks the reader is drawn into the vortex of the tale wondering what comes next.  Every story invariably has an unexpected ending. And every story has a moral. The book is targeted at children nine years and older.  It’s a collection that can be enjoyed by young adults, adults, and senior citizens as well... The book is on its way to becoming a classic. "