Rushika by Bimal Kumar Lama [Hardcover]

Bastu—the dwelling place of the body, the abode of the soul. A land where ancestral memories merge with the dreams of future generations. A barren terrain nestled in the rugged crevices of rocky hills—this is their bastu. A dying settlement. And yet, they weave dreams, layer upon layer. They preserve the essence of nature’s intensity through the rhythm of Chhau and the melodies of Jhumur.

Chhau guides them, Jhumur leads the way. And then, an outsider—a wandering magician—strays into their world. Uniting the artistic spirit of the Junglemahal, they forge weapons of resistance. With sickles, axes, bows, arrows, and the artistry of Chhau and Jhumur, they rise against oppression. The Bon Party stands beside them in the shadows of the night, while in the daylight, another faction sings praises of parliamentary democracy. Caught in between, they remain bewildered.

Rusika is a mesmerizing chronicle of the tribal lives of Junglemahal, a tale of struggle, art, and resilience.