If you ask me (or rather anyone who had their first 15 years on earth in the 1980s) what I feel as the classic period of my life there is going to be only one answer –those un-adulterated days of childhood under the magic spell of classic children’s books. They were the only treasure we knew and yearned for – Amar Chitra Katha, Poompaatta, Balarama, Paico Classics – they came in all the rainbow colours and brought alive all our heroes – Kapish, Kaaliya, Mandrake, Phantom and the list goes on - by the way, Kapil and Gavaskar came only next to them. Among those piles of books we built our “real”world!
However, time took its toll and the “illusionary” world took charge of us – there came those televisions, computers, cell phones – poisoning our earth and mind alike just for the sake of comfort, luxury and development. With years of grinding, we became “mechanical devices” operated by the new world “gadgets”.
It was during this hot chamber journey of everyday grind I got hold of this book – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – purely by chance. Ha! Then what a grab it was ! I cannot say I read the book. Rather, I would say, the child in me which was starving for years just gulped it within no time! Charlie Bucket, Willy Wonka, Gradpa Joe all poured like “chocolate” rain sprouting out fresh life in my barren mind!
If you are among those who already saw Tim Burton’s 2005 movie adaptation of the same starring Johnny Depp I feel sorry for you. For those who have not - do get the 1964 book by Roald Dahl and “save” the child within you.
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