Goa : Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas by Subodh/Kunal Ray (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

23^rd Book of 2025

Some books are not meant to be read in a hurry; they ask to be absorbed the way one absorbs a place—slowly, through layers of memory, emotion, and silence. Goa: Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas is one such book. It does not merely document art; it meditates on a land, its waters, and the long shadows of its history. When I had received this book, I had thought that I would finish it within 15 minutes because of 35-pages text and rest of it displaying the artwork of the author but when I started reading it, these 35 pages took an hour for me to read. It sounded so poetic and serene that I really felt that the whole Goa and its history, silence, peace and ocean are running in front of my eyes.

 

Subodh Kerkar’s Goa is not the postcard paradise we are conditioned to admire. It is alive, bruised, playful, and deeply introspective. Through paintings, installations, and experimental works, Kerkar turns Goa into a living archive—one where beauty and discomfort coexist without apology. The book gently reminds us that art need not always soothe; sometimes, its role is to disturb just enough to awaken thought.

 

What makes this collection compelling is the artist’s refusal to separate aesthetics from responsibility. Alongside lyrical representations of houses, boats, and coastal life, there exists an unflinching engagement with darker chapters of Goan history—colonial violence, the Inquisition, and the exploitation that arrived with foreign rule. Yet, Kerkar never allows the narrative to become heavy-handed. There is wit, irony, and even playfulness—most memorably in works that reimagine historical figures through absurd, almost childlike symbolism.

 

Kerkar’s gaze is observant and democratic. Fisherfolk, food, shells, laterite, sand, and sea are all granted equal dignity. His choice of material—terracotta, crochet, ink, light, even living oysters—blurs the line between art and environment. The ocean is not a backdrop here; it is a collaborator. Nature breathes through these works, reminding us that culture and ecology are inseparable.

 

Reading this book feels like walking barefoot along a beach scattered with memories—some warm, some sharp. It urges the reader to look again at Goa, beyond tourism and nostalgia, and to recognize it as a space of resilience and resistance. In doing so, Goa: Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas becomes more than an art book; it becomes a quiet philosophical statement on place, identity, and the enduring power of creative dissent.

 

It has been for the very first time that I have read a book based on painting where the author’s intent and approach is mentioned first and then the book is full of his artwork that speaks for itself. The book made me feel like visiting author’s museum in Goa as well. If you have ever travelled to Goa or it’s your favorite destination like me, please get this book as your coffee table favorite. I give this 4.5* out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

The Rabbit in the Moon by Meena Arora Nayak (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

  

22nd Book of 2025

Some books do not rush to impress; they sit quietly beside you, like a wise elder, waiting for the reader to slow down. The Rabbit in the Moon by Meena Arora Nayak is one such book. Rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Panchatantra, it brings back stories many of us may have heard in fragments during childhood, yet presents them with a freshness that feels both comforting and relevant.

 

The book retells two powerful tales: The Tale of How the Bedbug’s Selfishness Cost the Louse Her Life and The Tale of How the Rabbit in the Moon Saved His Relatives. Though simple on the surface, both stories gently unfold deeper truths about life, choices, and consequences. The author’s language is lucid and unpretentious, allowing the moral to emerge naturally rather than being forcefully stated. This makes the reading experience meditative rather than instructional.

 

What stands out is how effortlessly these ancient stories mirror modern realities. The tale of the bedbug and the louse is a quiet reminder of how reckless behavior, impatience, and selfish ambition can destroy not only the wrongdoer but also the innocent. It speaks subtly about the dangers of bad company and poor judgment—lessons that remain painfully relevant in today’s fast-paced, outcome-obsessed world.

 

On the other hand, the story of the rabbit offers a soothing counterbalance. It celebrates intelligence, calm thinking, and moral courage over brute strength. The rabbit’s wisdom becomes a metaphor for leadership rooted in compassion and clarity, reminding readers that true power lies in presence of mind rather than physical dominance.

 

Meena Arora Nayak deserves appreciation for preserving the soul of the Panchatantra while making it accessible to young readers and equally meaningful for adults. The Rabbit in the Moon is not merely a children’s book; it is a gentle pause, a reflective read that invites us to look inward.

 

In a world that constantly urges us to run faster, this book softly asks us to think wiser—and that, perhaps, is its greatest strength. The biggest drawback of the book is its cost- Rs. 250 which I believe is quite much considering it has just two short stories for little Kids. Publishers must think something about this. Overall, I give this book 3.25* out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

The Platoon Under the Moon by Delshad Karanjia (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

  

21st Book of 2025

Another book by Delshad Karanjia was finished within half an hour, with a smile on my face. Another set of six tales based on the character of Mullah Nasruddin felt like reading funny WhatsApp messages shared by a friend. There are many books written for children with the intention of teaching values or lessons, but Delshad’s attempt here highlights why it is equally important to tell stories to children purely for fun, without attaching any strong educational agenda to them.

 

Of course, the narration, story structure, and language still help students learn the art of storytelling, writing, and visualization. However, the author’s primary intention—to simply make children laugh through these stories—is what makes this book special. In this collection, Mullah Nasruddin’s six tales are crafted in a way that showcases how cleverly he outwits both the good and the bad people in society.

 

Through two of the stories, we see how he troubles his teacher and a shopkeeper, while another story humorously conveys how he makes the host of a party realize that people should be valued more than their rich attire. The story that shares the book’s title is another amusing take, highlighting how Mullah sometimes chooses not to use his brain at all.

 

The illustrations are well done and can also encourage children to draw and add their own colours. These are stories that children will not only enjoy reading but will also eagerly share with their friends, spreading laughter all around. I give this book 4.25 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA