Do you know the best thing to jump into? No, it’s not a pool; it’s a big vat of memories, all waiting pristine and fresh, ready to take you in their wisdom and soak you in their emotions. Want to read such an assimilation of tales that are relatable and closer to life? Tizistwar nou pays -tales of simpler times by Nanda Pavaday is a memoir, assimilating some of the most brilliant takeaways he has chosen to share with his readers.
What if I told you that it is possible to relive the best possible times of your life? Those big teachings and life’s biggest lessons that come from the smallest of alleyways and the tiniest of stark corners are something we all revel in and keep in a warm corner of our hearts, always present and waiting to be called upon at a moment’s notice. Yes, sometimes there are those tiny little rays of sunshine we often label as life’s wanderings, which happen to shape our very soul and persona, taking us back to our roots while still being responsible for who we are today.
Tizistwar Nou pays – Tales of Simpler Times by Nanda Pavaday, a collection of 24 relatively simple stories, will take you down those nostalgic memory lanes that might have remained with you right from the start of time.
And yes, yet we do fail to acknowledge the presence of these memories sometimes—moments in these memories that are responsible for shaping us and making us who we are today.
The way Nanda has narrated these Tizistwars brings a strange sense of recollection to my heart. Those early days of one’s life are laced with experiences of struggling against difficulties, basking in and surviving challenges, and most importantly, dunking in those moments, fishing out pearls of wisdom from those pursuits by way of takeaways that mark the finer shades of the canvas of our personas.
To begin with, it is a beautiful book, richly illustrated with vibrant pictures and colourful depictions supporting the Tizistwars, delightful and indulging. Although the reading age slot shows 10 and up, I would say this one is surely a treat for all, age no bar. A myriad of emotions, all stories being part of a memoir, yet being diverse in essence and nature. I loved every single one of the tiny pieces Nanda interjected through each and every story, bringing a sweet smile to everyone’s face and eliciting some powerful emotions in the process, whether it was household chores, watching old-school Hindi movies on TV, eating mangoes straight from the tree, or tasting junk street food on your palate.
Life, I feel, was so simple and beautiful back then that it feels so mechanical and metallic to be a part of this new now,” when everything is so technologically advanced, and yet we seem to have lost track of ourselves and our own selves along the way somehow. I still fondly remember the days when all of us used to await Sundays to indulge in some great television and movies, which were perhaps a rarity in those days. Sunday, being that one day of bonding, making those memories alongside our loved ones, how can one forget the tiny details hidden amidst those Sunday afternoon movies, that Mahabharat in the mornings, the Binaca geet mala, and all in all, those things which now seem to have lost all charm? Bhai, ab to OTT ka zamaana hai, all at the swipe of your fingertips.
Anyways, coming back to this one, as I said earlier, Nanda’s writing style is simple, exuberant, and has a sense of comfort that is highly relatable. Capturing the right tempo and essence of the yesteryears, one may say that the tales are written against a backdrop of Mauritius by Nanda. And yet, even though this one is translated from French to English (excellent job here while translating), there is a sense of universality to it, which is something that makes it appealing to everyone, regardless of the place they might be reading this one from. I mean, take the tale “Lavey Lane,” for instance. Yes, I could literally taste that change of season, the onset of the upcoming New Year, the festivities -I mean, they all were playing on like this one big reel, right in my mind’s eye, and I can’t tell you enough the kind of impact each story has subtly incorporated.
I feel this book has one very important and unique aspect. To me, it may be coloured differently; to you, it may appear different; and yet, to a third, it may be a completely different entity. Yes, that is the beauty of Nanda’s writing for me—its individuality and yet its ability to be relatable all at once. I understand the tales incorporated herein are an ode to his parents, him reminiscing about the good, golden days he spent alongside them. And yet, the relativity simply is not restricted to just this being a memoir of his wanderings in early life; it is nevertheless an assimilation of pearls from his past that are invaluable, priceless pieces he has shared with us through this book.
Related: Tales of Wisdom: Jungle Stories With Tim the Tortoise by Priyanka Mukherjee
A brilliant book, you have to read this one if you want to indulge in a true nostalgic trip down memory lane, dousing yourself with hues of the past and wanting to dip yourself in molten yesteryears. Great tales, great writing, and most importantly, a work straight from the heart! Go for it, guys! A special mention once again goes to the beautiful illustrations. They have my heart!
So, I hope you guys liked my book review of Tizistwar nou pays-Tales of Simpler Times by Nanda Pavaday
Adios Amigos!
This post is part of the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge