His Highness Jamedar-General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, Maharajadhiraja Visva Bhuvana Samrat, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K.—the illustrious Tiger King—is born under an unlucky star, and is destined to die in the jaws of a tiger. Refusing to succumb to fate, the king embarks on a quest to defy destiny by eliminating every tiger in his path, vowing to stop at nothing until he reaches the fateful hundredth kill. A satirical masterpiece, Kalki’s The Tiger King invites readers on a journey through the whimsical corridors of Pratibandapuram where titles are as abundant as the Maharaja’s ambition. The Maharaja’s quest for a hundred tiger kills takes a delightfully absurd turn, complete with prophetic astrologers, an innocent wooden toy, and a twist that leaves the Maharaja’s ego deflated. Expertly translated from the Tamil by Gowri Ramnarayan and delightfully illustrated throughout, The Tiger King is an entertaining and thought-provoking story of royal folly, showcasing Kalki’s sharp wit and humour.
About the Author
Kalki (1899–1954) was the pen name of R. Krishnamurthy, a famous Tamil writer known for his humorous and satirical articles and nationalist and historical novels, serialized in popular magazines and cherished by generations of readers. A nationalist and freedom fighter, he was jailed thrice during the freedom struggle. He launched and edited the magazine Kalki after having worked in Ananda Vikatan, another weekly, for several years.
About the Translator
Gowri Ramnarayan is a playwright, theatre director, journalist (formerly deputy editor, The Hindu, now freelance writer), and vocal accompanist to legendary musician M. S. Subbulakshmi. Ramnarayan’s Dark Horse & Other Plays anthologizes her original plays. She has authored children’s books and a biography of M. S. Subbulakshmi (MS & Radha), translated two plays by Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar, and the Tamil short stories of Kalki Krishnamurthy.