'An exquisite tapestry of light and shade, an intense evocation of nature and myth, a novel of many hues - a masterpiece.' - NAMITA GOKHALE, author of Paro, Shakuntala and Things to Leave Behind

'In her new poetic novel, Volga combines lyrical language and the love of nature with a fearlessly critical vision of timeless issues such as caste discrimination, territorial expansion, and the thoughtless destruction of nature. As usual, she has depicted classic characters from the Ramayana - Rama, Sabari, Kabanda and Hanuma, among others - from an original and surprising angle to create a deeply thought-provoking book.' - CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI, author of The Palace of Illusions, The Forest of Enchantments and Independence

'This book is a deeply meaningful reimagining of the encounter between Rama and Sabari, full of questions that we need to ask ourselves today. In Volga's work, it is always women who hold wisdom and knowledge and here, her feminist perspective is as firm and confident as ever, without being strident. Purnima Tammireddy modulates this important voice beautifully so that its challenges and subversions ring loud and clear in English.' - ARSHIA SATTAR, author of Maryada: Searching for Dharma in the Ramayana

VOLGA is a writer, critic, translator and poet, who has been a forerunner in introducing a feminist perspective into the literary-political discourse of the Telugu-speaking states. One of the most significant figures in Telugu literature today, her works opened the floodgates for a host of women writers to articulate the doubts and confusions they experienced as women. Her novel Sveccha (Freedom) marks a watershed in women's writing in Telugu and is now being published in all Indian languages by the National Book Trust of India. Her other works include the short-story collection Rajakiya Kathalu (Political Stories), that looks at the oppression of and control on a woman's body; Maaku Godalu Levu (We Have No Walls), the first volume in feminist philosophy in Telugu, which she edited; and an anthology of feminist poems, Neeli Meghalu (Dark Clouds), also one she edited. She co-authored Saramsam, which documents the anti-arrack struggle, and Mahilavaranam (Womanscape), a detailed collective biography of important Telugu women of the twentieth century. With works like Atadu Ame Manam (He–She–Us) and Sahita (Inclusion), she has