Raaga's Song: A Diwali Story

by Navina Chhabria

Overview

For fans of Sugar in Milk and Festival of Colors, this celebration of the Diwali holiday is interwoven with an empowering folktale that teaches the importance of being true to oneself.

Raaga has always dreamed of singing at the annual Diwali mela at the Royal Place. Ever since she was a little girl, her grandfather would tell her the story of how Lord Rama and his army slew the ten-headed demon Ravana (the story for which Diwali is celebrated today). While young Raaga has always suffered from stage fright, the more Raaga practices with her grandfather, the larger her audience grows, like her own little army.

When the day of the audition comes, Raaga takes to the stage in front of her family and friends. But the ten judges tower over her like Ravana and taunt her: "You are the color of a moonless night," one says. "Can you really sing?" It will take all of Raaga's courage and the support of her "army" to summon the strength of Lord Rama and prove them wrong.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762482245
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	09/26/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,077,591
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Navina Chhabria grew up in India. An experienced world traveler, she is particularly drawn to stories that showcase cultural diversity and shatter gender stereotypes.

Editorial Reviews

08/14/2023

In a modern folktale about courage, Chhabria leans into the Hindu mythology that underpins celebrations of Diwali across India. Vocalist Raaga, whose name means “melody,” loves singing for birds and for her grandfather, and she has always dreamed of singing at the palace’s annual Royal Diwali mela. But having been teased “for being too dark and too young,” she freezes each time she tries to audition. Her grandfather compares her efforts with tales of Lord Rama, who practiced until he was skilled enough as a marksman to battle 10-headed demon Ravana: “Lord Rama was brave, but he also had people who helped and believed in him,” Baba says. Taunted on the day of the audition by 10 older judges, portrayed with lighter skin, Raaga draws on her community and her faith—she hears her cheering loved ones and thinks of the moment Lord Rama released the arrow—to prove everyone wrong. Paired with a telling that explores prejudice and self-determination, colorblock art employs Indian iconography and folk art forms using a minimal, contrasting palette. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

This gentle yet powerful picture book is suitable for early childhood listeners, but also for older elementary students… Recommended purchase for libraries with readers who want to learn more about the origins of Diwali and make a connection to modern-day issues.”—School Library Journal

"Laudably, Chhabria highlights a young girl’s insecurities in the face of colorism as well as the power of loved ones and one’s faith."—Kirkus Reviews

“In a modern folktale about courage, Chhabria leans into the Hindu mythology that underpins celebrations of Diwali across India. … Paired with a telling that explores prejudice and self-determination, colorblock art employs Indian iconography and folk art forms using a minimal, contrasting palette.”—Publishers Weekly

“A charmingly illustrated and informatively entertaining story…highly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.”—Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

2023-06-08
A young Indian girl struggles to find her voice and courage in the face of uncertainty.

Raaga loves to sing and to listen to her grandfather’s stories. She especially loves hearing about the origins of Diwali, a holiday that honors Lord Rama’s victorious return to his kingdom after vanquishing the demon Ravana. Raaga, whose name means melody, hopes to conquer her own fears of singing in front of an audience at the Royal Palace on Diwali. While unkind comments about her dark skin made her shy away in the past, this year Raaga feels brave enough to try. Encouraged by her grandfather and her faith in Lord Rama, she practices every day, building up an admiring audience. On the day of the audition, Raaga is unnerved by mean-spirited comments from the judges. As her courage falters, her friends cheer her on, and she proves herself. Laudably, Chhabria highlights a young girl’s insecurities in the face of colorism as well as the power of loved ones and one’s faith. However, the narrative, which appears to be set in olden times, also includes a few modern touches that feel jarring. The author’s attempts to draw parallels between Raaga’s voice and Lord Rama’s arrow and army seem forced. Though a bit static, the illustrations feature people of many different hues of brown; effective use of contrasting color reflects Raaga’s budding confidence. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A celebratory tale that doesn’t quite hit the mark. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews