The Colony Kid - Book Review

 

The E Book "The Colony kid"  written by Ms Meena Chatty takes readers on a tour of life spent in a "colony". The author lived and spent the formative years of her life in a township of a public sector company in Bangalore where her father worked. I could immediately relate to this book as I had started my career in VISL Bhadravati (a town 250 Kms away from Bangalore) and experienced first hand life in a self contained township that had most facilities like a post office, school, grocery shops etc at a walking distance within the colony.

I love reading memoirs; particularly if it is written in an informal style. Meena Chatty has this breezy humourous style that endears her to the readers. In the book she shares and discusses a wide range of subjects like growing up as a child in a township, her school, close relatives who impacted her life like mother, sister, grandmother, their visits to the city, going on a pilgrimage, the arrival of television for the first time and its impact on the family, visit of a Russian troupe to the township, the impact of elections on the 'sleepy' colony etc. 

I particularly enjoyed reading about the games the girls enjoyed in those times, a period when there was no need for expensive toys to be happy. As for example, they played with their wooden dolls to whom not only were names given but their birthday was celebrated in a grand manner. 

" We would give them a traditional bath, making sure to shield their eyes from the water, just like how our mother did for us. Make them wear new outfits. The new outfits for both Swapna and Sumitra  were made by my talented mother. Between them they had nothing less than 15 outfits to alternate. They ranged from off shoulder dresses, long gowns, churidar, frocks and pants. Amma also made sweets for us to eat on their birthday! "   

Other things I loved about the book is the insights it offers on human nature. The author is candid while revealing character traits of people, whether it is her grandmother, teachers or about herself . As for example she describes herself  thus " I have always been a bit of a goofy girl. I take hit numbers and sing 'made up lyrics' for them, irritating my daughters.I talk gibberish sometimes. I entertain myself with small dances. I laugh out aloud, without caring for my surroundings! Oooh! I am like that! " 

"The colony kid" gets you to smile often and is to my mind just what the doctor ordered for the grim situation that we are presently facing. It showcases the unique bonding of the sisters with no trace of sibling rivalry. I cannot help marvel at another character in the book, the mother of the author who comes through as  one constantly supporting her children to grow up as happy, healthy and responsible adults. In fact, the author herself refers to her mother as "Super Star Amma", a title to which readers who have read the book would readily agree! 

I related to this book all the more, as I grew up  more or less in the same period that is described in it with similar challenges, happiness and disappointments. Today's children have more indulgent parents who are willing to give them expensive toys and gadgets. The only thing that they are unable to give is their time. At the end of each chapter, the author gives an interesting snippet titled "Comparison corner" where she compares her times with the times of the present kids. Readers can access this heart warming, pleasant, at times hilarious book for free here.  

Happy reading. I also participated in the # Blogchatter Carnival 2021( can access at the link)