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Fantastic five: A trip down historical lane

Ishita Dasgupta

The Adventure of the Missing Dancing Girl is a story of four young, energetic children, who get entangled in an amazing adventure.

Set in the year 2500 BC, the book traces the escapade of Kartik, Kaveri, Xerxes and Namami at the auspicious Surya Mela, all the way from their home in the small village of Anantpur. Lothal, a port town in Meluhha (ancient name for India), is the spot for this magnificent event where the adventure begins. It is here that the four meet Amu Darya, a boy from the faraway land of Mesopotamia (present day Iraq and parts of Syria), who brings with him the touching tale of his search for his father, across the seas and miles away from his home. In the midst of all these events, an audacious robbery takes place in Mohenjodaro, where invaluable temple treasures have been stolen, including the famous statue of the dancing girl.

The five children, who become fast friends in the course of the novel, ride through the streets of Meluhha, getting inextricably involved in a mystery far more sinister than they could imagine. And yes, they are accompanied by an adorable dog, who is christened Joker, owing to his comical antics.

Sunila Gupte weaves the story in a simple yet intriguing manner, sketching some lovable characters that the young reader can relate to. Amu Darya, the fearless stowaway named after the river Oxus, is a sensitive, endearing 13-year-old who loves travelling and sea voyages, just like his lost father. Kartik, almost 13 years of age, is a shy but brave boy, artistic as well as practical. His best friend, Xerxes, is the dreamer, fascinated by the seas and their mysteries, the most talkative and outgoing of the lot. Namami is the healer, twelve-and-a-half-years old, with immense knowledge of medicinal herbs and shrubs, thanks to her parents who are vaids. And Kaveri, Kartik’s sister and the youngest of the lot at 10 years of age, is a chirpy girl with an adventurous mind, showing bravado in the face of danger.

The book, being embedded in the history of the ancient world, enriches the reading experience manifold by giving a unique insight into the lives of our ancestors. It would interest any history-enthusiast, or for that matter, others as well. Children with a keen sense of adventure and inquisitiveness would appreciate the twists and turns in the sequence of events.

The author explores the wonderful lands of India, in the era of the Indus Valley civilisation, enhancing the narrative with vivid descriptions of the Harappan culture, the people’s customs, beliefs as well as their art, which draws the reader into a whole new world. The journey which includes an elephant ride, an unfortunate (or fortunate?) exchange of bags, deciphering the meaning behind maps, encounters with evil men, and finally, a white parrot, a harbinger of good luck, is sure to enthrall the young mind.