My Family
is a collection of pen portraits on a few of the many animals with whom Mahadevi Varma chose to spend her life. Set in a time when human and non-human worlds were still permeable, the book describes the singular personalities of Mahadevi's adoptive animals and the unique relationships she enjoyed with each of them. There is Gillu the frisky squirrel, Neelkanth the gorgeous caring peacock, Sona the affectionate doe with liquid eyes, Neelu the imperious yet loyal mountain dog, and others whom Mahadevi magically brings to life on the page. Brilliantly translated by Ruth Vanita and peppered with Mahadevi's sparkling wit, these sketches depict a memorable life lived with a special chosen family.
In her erudite introduction, Vanita analyses various dimensions of Mahadevi's life and work, illuminates her historical and literary legacy, and reviews the myriad debates on humans' coexistence with animals.