If I have to sum up the
essence of this story in the least possible words, I would say 'feel-good'. It
is a sweet, simple, and beautiful story that teaches the virtues of kindness,
sacrifice, and letting go. It is tough to let go of what you love with a passion
but to keep your close ones happy. You have to learn this virtue. This is what
Binya, the little, beautiful, and brave hill girl learns at the end of the
story. Her life was full of adventures after she gets her most dear possession,
the Blue Umbrella. The beauty of its possession, its use, and everyone's
longing for the blue umbrella have been beautifully described. The simplicity
of a village in the hills, the simplicity of hill people, the beauty of the
place as well as hearts have been penned down beautifully. Ruskin Bond has
weaved magic through his words. It is a novella, a very short novel, and can be
read in a single sitting. The story is very grasping. This novella was written
for kids but it became a favorite among all age groups. I always enjoy the
book, no matter how many times I've read it. My students enjoy the story. They
want me to tell this story repeatedly in my free time.
There are very few books
that have been filmed beautifully. Very few films do justice to the written
words. But the film that Vishal Bhardwaj has made for this story is as
remarkable as the book itself. If you have read the book and then you are
watching the movie, the words, and the magic happily run through your mind. And
if you've seen the movie and after that reading, the book, the faces, and the
cuteness of the characters appear before your eyes.
I'll recommend this book and the movie to all if you want to experience beauty and simplicity.
-Ekta Kubba
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