Blaft Publications is proud to announce the release of Ki. Rajanarayanan's Where Are You Going, You Monkeys? -- Folktales from Tamil Nadu as an eBook.
The stories are expertly selected and translated from the definitive 2007 collection of Tamil folklore, நாட்டுப்புறக் கதைக் களஞ்சியம் (buy Tamil version here), by Pritham K. Chakravarthy, whose translation of Ki. Rajanarayanan's Sahitya Akademi award-winning novel Gopallapuram is also out from Penguin this month.
The book also features some illustrations by Chennai-based artist Trotsky Marudu. Here's his picture of a bootham, a sort of shape-changing genie-like ghost:
You can buy the book from the Kindle Store or the NOOK store or Lulu.com. Or buy the physical book from here.
Here's what reviewers have said about the book:
Pritham Chakravarthy’s translation is breezy, occasionally wicked, but always urging you to read on. Folklore buffs will love this one and so will other general readers. -- R. Krithika, The Hindu
At a time when it’s fashionable to define 'Indian culture' as a fixed conservative entity, to squeeze tradition into an airtight box, these stories are essential reading. -- Jai Arjun Singh, Tehelka
This delightful collection fully lives up to - enhances - Blaft’s young but confident standing. -- Vijay Nambisan, The Deccan Herald
If you're not convinced to pick up a copy yet, check out this funny video of Ki. Rajanarayanan (affectionately known as Ki. Ra.) telling one of the stories that couldn't make it into the book as it has a visual element to it. Warning: Mature audiences only. :-)
