ELECTRIC BIRDS OF POTHAKUDI

In this work inspired by a true story from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, people sacrifice comfort to protect a family of birds.

In Pothakudi, many villagers lack electricity at home, relying on streetlights after dark. So, when a pair of vannathikuruvis, or magpie-robins, build their nest in the streetlight switchboard box, the residents face a dilemma. They need the lights—Leela Maami’s granddaughter is teaching her to read, Deepa’s father plays cards at night—but Karuppu Raja, who’s in charge of the streetlights, wants to protect “Mr. and Mrs. VK.” He texts bird photos to his circle, and people gather. Clamoring children name the birds they know only from photos or stories, persuading the disgruntled grown-ups. When Mrs. VK lays “a tiny turquoise oval with chocolate flecks. Bright as the summer sky. Fresh as daybreak,” the villagers, united by this marvel, creatively protect the birds and keep one another safe at night. French-Indian poet Naïr’s award winner, originally published in French in 2022, is both evocatively grounded in a well-rendered cultural setting and universally relevant in its exploration of humans’ impact on nature. The sophisticated text evokes the timeless feeling of a fairy tale. Jolivet’s striking art resembles block prints—heavy black lines and exuberant colors convey emotion, accentuate the beauty of birds and foliage, and immerse readers in Pothakudi’s inky nights and sun-drenched days.

A remarkable story of compassion and cooperation.