Sheela's Two Homes

If you are reading books on human migration or the Partition of India, Nina Sabnani’s latest book, “Sheela’s Two Homes”, is one you should not ignore. This is the story of Nina’s mother, Sheela, set in 1947 in Sukkur, Sind. Here’s what makes this book stand out:

- Voice:

The story is narrated from the perspective of little Sheela, yet the tone remains refreshingly matter-of-fact. There are no unnecessary emotional embellishments to appeal to urban readers. It reminded me of @bahram_rahman Bahram Rahman’s note in “The Library Bus”, where he mentions that war in Afghanistan was simply a way of life. India’s Partition was tumultuous and horrific - it must be remembered, but not sensationalised or monetised by authors and the media. My deepest respect to Nina for handling such a sensitive subject with restraint and integrity.

- Illustrations:

Look closely and you’ll notice the artwork is created using fragments of cloth with touches of embroidery. How innovative is that!

- IYKYK (the details):

Only authors deeply connected to their roots can weave in such nuanced details - research alone isn’t enough. I loved the references to children being raised by other families, Jhulelal, temples by the Indus River, the Usha company, Tata Airlines, and Sant Kanwar. Their journey to Calcutta is tenderly depicted through the imagery of the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial.

Authors like Nina are the ones we should truly champion when discussing picture books on Partition.