There's enough to coax kids to read The Amazing Moustaches of Moochhander the Iron Man and Other Stories from cover to cover. Pakistani author Musharraf Ali Farooqi's four tales, with life-like illustrations, will rekindle how we read our stories, the old-fashioned way
There's enough to coax kids to read The Amazing Moustaches of Moochhander the Iron Man and Other Stories from cover to cover. Pakistani author Musharraf Ali Farooqi's four tales, with life-like illustrations, will rekindle how we read our stories, the old-fashioned way
India's favourite children's book writer Ruskin Bond believes this book is delightful to read out loud, or for children who are beginning to read for themselves. "The illustrations add to the fun," he adds. Each of the four stories created by Musharraf Ali Farooqi, author, novelist and translator, have been written to bring the essence of storytelling back to how it is meant to be -- simple, effortless and life-like.
Giving breath to each character and story are Michelle Farooqi's illustrations - created in a style that is reminiscent of artwork usually observed in Scandinavian and Russian fairy tale books. The Guide caught up with Musharraf Ali Farooqi to tell us more about his utterly charming characters -- including weight-pulling mustachioed Iron Man and a giant baker, the blending of old and new styles and what kids can take home from this collection.
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What was your inspiration to create Moochhander, Molka, Madame Snotbog, Profondus and the rest?
These stories were written seven or eight years ago. If I had known I would be asked this question I would have tried to remember. Probably, the characters came to the mind first. In the case of Profundus, the idea for the grab-itty-scope came first, I think. Madame Snotbog was modelled on a dear aunt of mine although I am not half as clever as Profundus. However, I'm not above stealing pies and regularly overdose on sweets. There are a lot of autobiographical details here for future researchers, I'm afraid.
In Monkeyshines, how did you manage to retain the flavour from the original Urdu tale?
I didn't. I changed the end of this story to give it an alternative moral. In the original Urdu folk tale the monkey turns pious after the beating. From personal knowledge I know a monkey would never ever turn over a new leaf. Moreover, I am against reforming monkeys. It would be a catastrophic tragedy for the world if even the monkeys could be reformed.
How did you and Michelle Farooqi discuss the illustrations, especially since there is a charming synergy that comes across through the pages?
It is all her own imagination. She captured the essence of these characters. Madame Snotbog turned out exactly like my aunt. So I was very pleased with that, although it was uncanny because Michelle has not met her. And now I guess it's best that they don't meet.
What can young readers take away from these stories?
Hopefully, just the joy of meeting these individualistic characters and seeing them in action.
The Amazing Moustaches of Moochander the Iron Man and Other Stories, Musharraf Ali Farooqi, Puffin India, Rs 125. Available at leading bookstores.
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