THE INCREDIBLE INDIANS: THE FIRST ELEVEN: A CHILDREN'S PLAY by Rajesh Talwar

 THE INCREDIBLE INDIANS: THE FIRST ELEVEN: A CHILDREN'S PLAY by Rajesh Talwar

 After reading several of Rajesh Talwar's books, picking up The Incredible Indians: The First 11 (A Children's Play) felt like a natural next step, though I was pleasantly surprised by its unique setup. The book centers on five school kids—Milan, Hari, Karim, Sonia, and Monica—who call themselves 'The Creative Five.' 

They decide to stage a play to teach their peers about the people who built post-1947 India and fought for its freedom. Their mindset says that today’s generation may find it difficult to relate to them. For this reason, they have to enact a play about people who contributed to India’s freedom struggle or those who became icons because of what they did after India became independent in 1947.

What makes the story work so well is how realistic the kids' banter feels. Monica wants to stick to classic figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, but the group pivots to modern figures like Amitabh Bachchan and M.S. Dhoni to keep their audience interested. When Hari worries about how to pull off such a massive task, Milan comes up with a practical fix: writing one or two brief scenes for each personality.

The scenes themselves are packed with great little human details. We get to see a young Amitabh Bachchan doing odd jobs in Kolkata and eating golgappas for lunch because he had no money, the personal hurdles faced by legendary singer K.L. Saigal, and poignant glimpses into Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s childhood memories alongside fun nods to shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Talwar has put together a genuinely entertaining piece that turns what could have been dry history into lively dialogue. It’s an easy, engaging read that would work just as well on a school stage as it does on the page.

Overall, it is must read for all. 

Purchase here.

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