Ingey Angey: A playful bridge between Tamil and English for Gen Alpha

The illustrations, accompanied by witty rhymes, tie in Tamil words in easy conversational sentences. Illustrations Courtesy/Kalyani Ganapathy, AdiDev Press

There is a quiet smile often hidden away when this writer watches old grandmothers try to make conversation with their Gen Alpha relatives at home. It often feels like two civilisations trying to make conversation, bridging phrases with familiar words of ‘Tanglish' (Tamil and English), and desperate hand signs. It is the memory of hearing these phrases that makes Kalyani Ganapathy's Ingey Angey: Here and There (AdiDev Publishers) fun reading.

This writer might be older than the target demographic, but the book nevertheless lands with its whimsy. Ganapathy turns to quirky rhymes, a la Dr Seuss, to get across simple words and easy phrases. And so, we have elaneer (coconut water), mayil (peacock), and even the tongue-twisting vazhaipazham (banana) find their way into illustrated rhymes in a quick-to-read 20-page book.

The pairing of the words with their English transliterations is a smart device since Tamil is a lyrical language, and lends itself to the rhymes. "This is a book for anyone curious about learning a few words of a new language. Every page is unexpected and joyous. And they are filled with fun and adventure," shares Ganapathy.

The illustrator delivers on it, too. The visuals are bright, whimsical, and immediately arresting. Add this to silly rhymes, and you have something to keep your five-year-old hooked to, without having to check for battery.

Kalyani Ganapathy

AVAILABLE All leading bookstores and e-stores
COST Rs 499