CHENNAI: Malathi Holla is a young girl, who has simple wishes like picking ripe mangoes when they land on the ground or chasing hens as they run helter-skelter. However, she is denied of even the simplest of desires as she is bound to a wheel chair. But her determination and grit to trounce all hurdles raises her spirit to unfathomable heights. Malathi goes on to show that the will to beat odds holds the key to success.
Wings to Fly written by Pune-based writer Sowmya Rajendran, is about paralympian Malathi Holla, who has more than 300 medals in her kitty. An Arjuna awardee and a recipient of Padma Shri, Malathi’s tale is the subject for Tulika Books’ latest work.
Sowmya Rajendran, who wrote the story, says, “When Tulika approached me to do a book on paralympian Malathi Holla, I was intrigued. I read her biography, A Different Spirit, and found her story to be truly inspiring. I have never played a sport in my life, but the book taught me just how much the human body is capable of doing when the mind and spirit drive it,” she says.
The 28-page book, which was published just ahead of International Day of Sport on April 6, has illustrations by Arun Kumar Kaushik .
Sowmya, who is a regular writing for Tulika, and has published books for children across age-groups — from picture books for the very young to middle-grade and young adult fiction — says that it was a challenge to pen pages of non-fiction.
“It’s far easier to make things up than write non-fiction, I think. I had to be very careful about the details since the story is based on a real person. At the same time, I had to keep the tone suitable for young children. I was particular that the story should be inspiring and that it should not be patronising of its protagonist just because she is differently abled,” she emphasises.
While Wings to Fly follows a children’s book format, Sowmya says that the story has a connect with everyone. “The story will appeal to anyone who likes sports and anyone who wants to teach their children that barriers are meant to be broken,” says the author.
Wings To Fly is priced at Rs 150 and is available on tulikabooks.com