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Indira
In a government school classroom in Delhi, young Indira Thapa is set an unusual assignment by her favourite teacher: to write an essay around her name. Who was Indira Priyadarshini, the person after whom her grandfather named her? And why her? What is her legacy as India’s first—and only—woman prime minister?
Over the course of a long, hot summer and a curious friendship with an artist who is working on a biography of Mrs Gandhi, young Indira gets tangled up in the life and times of her memorable namesake. Sometimes by design and sometimes by accident, story after story comes alive—about a childhood spent in Allahabad growing the Vanar Sena, of a youthful romance with the charming Feroze Gandhi, of stints in jail and elephant rides through pouring rain, a magnificent audacity that catapulted India onto the international stage, and of the final, tragic end that ripped apart the fabric of the nation.
Real and imagined worlds, the past and present, text and image all entwine as Indira walks us through the most formative decades of political life of India.
Over the course of a long, hot summer and a curious friendship with an artist who is working on a biography of Mrs Gandhi, young Indira gets tangled up in the life and times of her memorable namesake. Sometimes by design and sometimes by accident, story after story comes alive—about a childhood spent in Allahabad growing the Vanar Sena, of a youthful romance with the charming Feroze Gandhi, of stints in jail and elephant rides through pouring rain, a magnificent audacity that catapulted India onto the international stage, and of the final, tragic end that ripped apart the fabric of the nation.
Real and imagined worlds, the past and present, text and image all entwine as Indira walks us through the most formative decades of political life of India.
165 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2018
14 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews
December 19, 2019
I thought the book was shallow because I wanted more ;) Indira Gandhi's life was way more eventful than a book of a 160 pages can do justice to. The illustrations are a visual treat and the book depicts Indira’s childhood against the backdrop of India’s struggle for freedom and her founding of the ‘Vanar Sena’ – the children’s wing of the Indian National Congress. The Emergency and Indira’s role in the Bangladesh liberation war has been given due attention but many of her reforms like founding the R&AW, operation flood, abolishment of privy purses, nationalisation of banks, project tiger and the green revolution are just mentioned in the passing. Shelving it away to introduce the illustrious life of the woman I adore, to my daughter.
September 13, 2018
4.5
This book is as much of a delight to hold, as it is toread experience.
Many times while turning the pages, got confused whether a page is skipped. Not only because there are no page numbers on illustrations, albeit the paper quality is THAT good!
Obviously a biography, with a parallel story of the characters involved in making of this book. Was a bit skeptical about bias in a biography of a controversial figure. The bibliography and sources list in the end justifies the content.
Very creative art form expression. Excellent presentation. Blown away by the illustrations.
Overall: An intensely enjoyable fare.
This book is as much of a delight to hold, as it is to
Many times while turning the pages, got confused whether a page is skipped. Not only because there are no page numbers on illustrations, albeit the paper quality is THAT good!
Obviously a biography, with a parallel story of the characters involved in making of this book. Was a bit skeptical about bias in a biography of a controversial figure. The bibliography and sources list in the end justifies the content.
Very creative art form expression. Excellent presentation. Blown away by the illustrations.
Overall: An intensely enjoyable fare.
October 19, 2019
As far as I am concerned, any book about a historic personage is a success when it can bring out the nuances of his/ her personality. If it highlights only the good parts, it is hagiography: if it emphasises only the bad parts, it is demonisation. This graphic novel about Indira Gandhi falls into the first category.
The politically astute people who grew up in the second half of the twentieth century know that Indira Gandhi was one of the towering world leaders. She was also one of the most controversial. Having become the Prime Minister of India at a relatively young age after the sudden demise of Lal Bahadur Sastri, she succeeded in consolidating her power within it to become the undisputed leader. She was successful in making India self-sufficient in food, winning a war against Pakistan (which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh), making India a nuclear power, thus establishing herself as a leader to be reckoned from the third world. But she also imposed the national emergency in India in 1975 (which continued for two years) during which many excesses were committed by the police and her partymen; she was the person who is alleged to have made nepotism a feature of the Congress Party; and it was during her tenure that the Sikh shrine of the Golden Temple in Amritsar was invaded by the army to flush out the separatists holed up there, damaging the shrine in the process - an act which resulted in her assassination, by her Sikh bodyguard.
This graphic novel, purportedly the biography of Ms. Gandhi, highlights the positives and glosses over the negatives of this highly polarisiing figure - so much so, that one feels it is written as a propaganda piece. The drawings are good, and the narrative flows smoothly: but sadly, it lacks depth and gives only one side of the picture. Certain devices like the people in the coffee shop debating about the merits and demerits of Indira's actions, I found rather inane. And the story does have huge gaps, where the narrative jumps over years with the "goofy speed of a silent movie" (to borrow from Stephen King).
This tale is framed under another story of a young girl called Indira Thapa (named after Ms. Gandhi), running around to find the "oral history" of her name. This, I felt, was the lamest of gimmicks. What was the need? Indira Gandhi's story by itself is colourful enough.
The politically astute people who grew up in the second half of the twentieth century know that Indira Gandhi was one of the towering world leaders. She was also one of the most controversial. Having become the Prime Minister of India at a relatively young age after the sudden demise of Lal Bahadur Sastri, she succeeded in consolidating her power within it to become the undisputed leader. She was successful in making India self-sufficient in food, winning a war against Pakistan (which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh), making India a nuclear power, thus establishing herself as a leader to be reckoned from the third world. But she also imposed the national emergency in India in 1975 (which continued for two years) during which many excesses were committed by the police and her partymen; she was the person who is alleged to have made nepotism a feature of the Congress Party; and it was during her tenure that the Sikh shrine of the Golden Temple in Amritsar was invaded by the army to flush out the separatists holed up there, damaging the shrine in the process - an act which resulted in her assassination, by her Sikh bodyguard.
This graphic novel, purportedly the biography of Ms. Gandhi, highlights the positives and glosses over the negatives of this highly polarisiing figure - so much so, that one feels it is written as a propaganda piece. The drawings are good, and the narrative flows smoothly: but sadly, it lacks depth and gives only one side of the picture. Certain devices like the people in the coffee shop debating about the merits and demerits of Indira's actions, I found rather inane. And the story does have huge gaps, where the narrative jumps over years with the "goofy speed of a silent movie" (to borrow from Stephen King).
This tale is framed under another story of a young girl called Indira Thapa (named after Ms. Gandhi), running around to find the "oral history" of her name. This, I felt, was the lamest of gimmicks. What was the need? Indira Gandhi's story by itself is colourful enough.
April 27, 2020
I really liked this book and it has beautiful illustrations.
I know this book is very kind and uncritical on Indira, but it is not hagiographic IMO. We can easily cancel Indira and Nehru these days and everyone is an armchair critic of them. But objectively I have never heard her side of story, her growing up, her early influences and her impact on India’s foreign policy.
This book is a short, quick read on other and not-popularly known side of Indira. I really liked. Definitely, I need Ram Guha and other historians view to form a balanced opinion. But this book is definitely stands on the other side of the spectrum.
I know this book is very kind and uncritical on Indira, but it is not hagiographic IMO. We can easily cancel Indira and Nehru these days and everyone is an armchair critic of them. But objectively I have never heard her side of story, her growing up, her early influences and her impact on India’s foreign policy.
This book is a short, quick read on other and not-popularly known side of Indira. I really liked. Definitely, I need Ram Guha and other historians view to form a balanced opinion. But this book is definitely stands on the other side of the spectrum.
June 15, 2019
It's biased and one-sided.
The drawings are good, but the parallel story felt more like a forced content trying to provide more informations and to answer all hoax about Indira Gandhi. The book elaborates every small things from her childhood but, as it reaches to "real bad stuffs" like emergency, the narration becomes sophisticated, one sided and communicates with minimum information.
The drawings are good, but the parallel story felt more like a forced content trying to provide more informations and to answer all hoax about Indira Gandhi. The book elaborates every small things from her childhood but, as it reaches to "real bad stuffs" like emergency, the narration becomes sophisticated, one sided and communicates with minimum information.
December 27, 2020
Goes too easy, in my view, on Mrs. Gandhi’s assault on Indian democracy and institutions. Nonetheless, the (graphic novel style) story within a (conventional) story provides a useful mechanism to combine historical and contemporary perspectives. A great way to introduce this impactful woman to teens and young adults or others who are unfamiliar with her life and times.
December 20, 2019
Biased book.
Looks like author is Indira's fan.
Disappointing read.
Looks like author is Indira's fan.
Disappointing read.
March 13, 2018
I don’t quite know where to begin. This book has left me feeling very mixed up, in part because I am admittedly a huge fan of the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. For a person like me this really is a wonderful sort of book In that it portrays the protagonist in good, if not an incredibly biased light. Just shy of being sycophantic, it highlights the key milestones in the life of Indira Gandhi but in a manner that shows her to be a ne’er do wrong, which we all know is miles from the fact.
Having said that, however, this contains some
of the finest graphic illustrations I’ve seen come out of India in the graphic novel genre. Priya Kuriyan manages to capture the essence of Mrs. Gandhi beautifully - from her trademark white streak to her hook nose, her piercing eyes and her beatific smile. We see a very different Indira from the cold, iron-willed politician that she steeled herself to be. The artist has managed to resurrect her through this work. Although the same cannot be said of the parallel story that runs interspersed with the graphic novel.
This is the thing about this book really got under my skin - not in a good way. You see, The graphic biography component is mature and aimed towards an intelligent audience with some grasp of the historical narrative. The story that you see in alternate chapters is about a young girl also called Indira who embarks on a little journey of discovery to find out more about her famous namesake. But I just don’t understand the need for this. To me, this just slows the story down in an annoying and erratic fashion. I confess that by the time I got around to the third time of this back and forth, I was skipping over the prose narrative and going straight to the graphic sections in the book.
The conclusion of the book is poignant, sorrowful and all too sudden. Like one of those movies you know the ending to, but frighten you anyway. I found that my hand instinctively reached for my chest and clutched at my T-shirt as I read of her assassination. It was a moment in history that has left deep impression on me as a child and I find that it still hurts me each time I revisit it.
Reading this book has left me thoughtful and nostalgic for this great lady, her monstrous mistakes included, and a wish that I had had the opportunity to cross paths with her.
Having said that, however, this contains some
of the finest graphic illustrations I’ve seen come out of India in the graphic novel genre. Priya Kuriyan manages to capture the essence of Mrs. Gandhi beautifully - from her trademark white streak to her hook nose, her piercing eyes and her beatific smile. We see a very different Indira from the cold, iron-willed politician that she steeled herself to be. The artist has managed to resurrect her through this work. Although the same cannot be said of the parallel story that runs interspersed with the graphic novel.
This is the thing about this book really got under my skin - not in a good way. You see, The graphic biography component is mature and aimed towards an intelligent audience with some grasp of the historical narrative. The story that you see in alternate chapters is about a young girl also called Indira who embarks on a little journey of discovery to find out more about her famous namesake. But I just don’t understand the need for this. To me, this just slows the story down in an annoying and erratic fashion. I confess that by the time I got around to the third time of this back and forth, I was skipping over the prose narrative and going straight to the graphic sections in the book.
The conclusion of the book is poignant, sorrowful and all too sudden. Like one of those movies you know the ending to, but frighten you anyway. I found that my hand instinctively reached for my chest and clutched at my T-shirt as I read of her assassination. It was a moment in history that has left deep impression on me as a child and I find that it still hurts me each time I revisit it.
Reading this book has left me thoughtful and nostalgic for this great lady, her monstrous mistakes included, and a wish that I had had the opportunity to cross paths with her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2018
This is a good graphic novel especially as an introduction to Indira Gandhi or for teenagers. The author succeeded in bringing out her humanity. And so, despite my opinion that she has been India's worst PM, I was able to feel some empathy. Her entire life, her childhood, marriage, and her years as a leader are well-covered. As well as they can be in a short graphic novel.
Having said that, I would call the author a Indira-Bhakt. What defines a bhakt ? To whom the (supposed) intentions of Indiraji are always pure, no matter how disastrous the outcomes. To the author, Indiraji can never lose her credibility, and every negative aspect can be gently brushed away.
On the other hand, recently, there seems to be an unbridgeable gap between the Left and Right wings in politics worldwide. And there is a tendency to abuse and treat the other side and its leaders as traitors virtually. While I do think Indiraji's economic policies were disastrous and that she destroyed internal democracy in the Congress, I do not think of her as a traitor. Misguided, wrong intentions perhaps, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the voters.
PS:- Read the ebook, but based on a friend's review, maybe you should pickup the physical book.
Having said that, I would call the author a Indira-Bhakt. What defines a bhakt ? To whom the (supposed) intentions of Indiraji are always pure, no matter how disastrous the outcomes. To the author, Indiraji can never lose her credibility, and every negative aspect can be gently brushed away.
On the other hand, recently, there seems to be an unbridgeable gap between the Left and Right wings in politics worldwide. And there is a tendency to abuse and treat the other side and its leaders as traitors virtually. While I do think Indiraji's economic policies were disastrous and that she destroyed internal democracy in the Congress, I do not think of her as a traitor. Misguided, wrong intentions perhaps, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the voters.
PS:- Read the ebook, but based on a friend's review, maybe you should pickup the physical book.
April 21, 2020
A biographical book about Indira Gandhi intertwined with the tale of a little girl named Indira after her. The stories are told beautifully and the drawings are also beautiful (4/5 star for that). However, the book mostly talks about the positive impact of Indira Gandhi and her ascent and eventual fall from grace (And then redemption and death).
I found the book hagiographical but it was a good introduction to Indira. I wish the book went into a little more detail of her political life and explored her relationship with her sons. So it felt a little light on details and shallow. But the beautiful illustrations and the storytelling make up for it to be an interesting read.
I found the book hagiographical but it was a good introduction to Indira. I wish the book went into a little more detail of her political life and explored her relationship with her sons. So it felt a little light on details and shallow. But the beautiful illustrations and the storytelling make up for it to be an interesting read.
April 24, 2018
There is no doubt that despite being a graphic novel, a genre that often gets brushed aside as ‘not the kinds to be taken seriously’, Indira is also a historical account and should be looked at as a biography. Mrs Indira Gandhi’s birth centenary, 2017, saw a spate of books that besides re-examining one of India’s tallest political leaders also tried to reinterpret her in the context of contemporary times. While some tried to reinstate her as India’s most authoritative Prime Minister, some made an effort to reclaim her all-encompassing persona. But the one that recasts her for the younger generation in a truly unique manner is Devapriya Roy and Priya Kuriyan’s graphic novel Indira.
December 8, 2018
Beautiful graphics. I didn't like the Parallel girl story it was quite annoying at one extend. All the Indira's controversial part was just said right away without proper explanation. I kinda felt it was one sided story.
March 28, 2018
+ Nice drawings.
- Absurdly one-sided, all problematic parts of Indira Gandhi's career were just explained away.
- The parallel girl story didn't add anything.
- Absurdly one-sided, all problematic parts of Indira Gandhi's career were just explained away.
- The parallel girl story didn't add anything.
October 17, 2018
The book so beautifully binds the life of Indira Gandhi with her namesake in a government school. Each fights their own battles, one inspiring the other.
A must read as it is equal parts entertaining and informative.
A must read as it is equal parts entertaining and informative.
February 23, 2019
It is my first graphic novel and I must say my experience was excellent. Though it is a children book and I bought it for my daughter, I enjoyed it. The illustrations are awesome and they are reminder of the saying that pictures speak thousand words. Must read for children.
March 29, 2019
Indira Priyadarshani, India's 3rd Prime Minister and 1st female Prime Minister.
She changed India's game in the world.
Green revolution
Operation Flood
Nuclear Power
Tiger protection
etc
loved it as it's illustrated so nicely.
She changed India's game in the world.
Green revolution
Operation Flood
Nuclear Power
Tiger protection
etc
loved it as it's illustrated so nicely.
June 6, 2018
Read the review on Just Another Bookaholic
September 29, 2019
One of its kind graphic biography. Covers most of the the important events of Mrs.G
January 29, 2025
Love the illustrations!! I’m not big fan of her as a politician but the woman had 100+ aura points
November 28, 2018
An interesting read, but that is pretty much it.
I like the presentation - the graphic section Indira Gandhi's story, the prose part is the current time.
I like the presentation - the graphic section Indira Gandhi's story, the prose part is the current time.
October 13, 2018
Beautiful illustrations and fluffy, stark writing.
A must-read.
A must-read.
January 15, 2020
It was such a wonderful and informative read. Albeit it is a valid point that it only drew a positive picture of the former Prime Minister but it can still be a perfect read for beginners .Anyone wanting to know about Mrs. Gandhi's childhood, or how situations and people around her shaped her into the person she was ,will really find this book interesting and engaging.
The illustrations were close to perfection and strongly resembled the features of the characters as we have grown up seeing them. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Although i read this on the kindle ,but I plan to own a physical copy too.
The illustrations were close to perfection and strongly resembled the features of the characters as we have grown up seeing them. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Although i read this on the kindle ,but I plan to own a physical copy too.
June 30, 2019
So, I know that Indira Gandhi is not quite the most popular politician anymore (for very valid reasons) but one absolutely cannot deny the massive influence and charm she held over young and newly independent India of the 60s and 70s. I am sure we all know more than one lady born in those times who were named Indira or Priya or Priyadarshini. And that is exactly what this book is about.
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A short graphic novel about the story of young Indira, a schoolgirl in Delhi who tries to unearth the "oral history" behind her name which forms a backdrop for an illustrative biography of the late Prime Minister. The narrative is simple, beautifully written and the illustrations evocative and excellent. Important to note that Mrs. G is not really unnecessarily glorified at any point in the book, it is just a depiction of the strong willed woman that she was and how she handled her crises. This one is a real treat to read, for children and adults both, no matter what your political leaning.
.
A short graphic novel about the story of young Indira, a schoolgirl in Delhi who tries to unearth the "oral history" behind her name which forms a backdrop for an illustrative biography of the late Prime Minister. The narrative is simple, beautifully written and the illustrations evocative and excellent. Important to note that Mrs. G is not really unnecessarily glorified at any point in the book, it is just a depiction of the strong willed woman that she was and how she handled her crises. This one is a real treat to read, for children and adults both, no matter what your political leaning.
August 30, 2020
This book was surprisingly brilliant. Like, I was expecting a cute-ish and child-ish form of a book depicting the life of the first (and so far, only) woman prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi.
While yes, it was cute and slightly childish at times, it was so so much more. One of the best parts about this book is how it alternates between two different stories, that of Indira Gandhi (in comic form), and of a student, Indira Thapa, who is collecting information on her namesake (in simple text form).
What struck me the most was the "Indian-ness" of this book, from the quirky comments to the illustrations to the casual use of Hindi words here and there.
Roy writes in a very succinct manner with a distinct voice of her own, while Priya puts soul into it with the oh-my-gosh-so-gorgeous detailed illustrations.
While it would have been very easy to give it a political colour, it was altogether devoid of it. At times though, the author's fascination of Mrs Indira caused her to shed little light over her mistakes.
But, really, this is one book you must read to have an insight into the life of one of India's best prime ministers ever, in a fun, casual, and very interesting way.
Highly highly recommended!!
While yes, it was cute and slightly childish at times, it was so so much more. One of the best parts about this book is how it alternates between two different stories, that of Indira Gandhi (in comic form), and of a student, Indira Thapa, who is collecting information on her namesake (in simple text form).
What struck me the most was the "Indian-ness" of this book, from the quirky comments to the illustrations to the casual use of Hindi words here and there.
Roy writes in a very succinct manner with a distinct voice of her own, while Priya puts soul into it with the oh-my-gosh-so-gorgeous detailed illustrations.
While it would have been very easy to give it a political colour, it was altogether devoid of it. At times though, the author's fascination of Mrs Indira caused her to shed little light over her mistakes.
But, really, this is one book you must read to have an insight into the life of one of India's best prime ministers ever, in a fun, casual, and very interesting way.
Highly highly recommended!!
October 23, 2020
A beautiful graphic biography of Indira Gandhi written and illustrated by Devapriya Roy and Priya Kuriyan.This book is filled with many anecdotes that give insight into charisma and will power of Indira. Indira Gandhi made herself into a great power, transforming herself from ‘Goongi Gudiya’ to ‘Durga’. A wonderful account, well researched and clear illustrated…. one point to be critical about this book is that it is biased, rather I would say it doesn’t critically ponder upon controversial legacies of her… Emergency, her relationship with Sanjay Gandhi, Menaka Gandhi, Haksar, etc. Apart from this, it’s clearly made graphic biography that will give a needed insights about her life.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews