The Chhau Champ by Vibha Batra

Book Name : The Chhau Champ

Author : Vibha Batra

Genre : Fiction

Language : English

Format : Paperback 

Book Length : 80 pages 

Price : ₹225/-

Publishing House : Duckbill

Publication Date : 11th December, 2023

ISBN : 978-0-143-46188-3

My Rating : 4/5

Blurb :

Shubha wants to learn Chhau. But her father wants to only teach her brother Shayon. How will Shubha persuade him that she too deserves a chance?

Review :

The Chhau Champ by Vibha Batra is the story of Shubhashree aka Shubha and her determination to fight for herself.

Shubha and Shayon are the children of Tapan Choudhury, the Chhau Ustad who takes his troupe to different villages for performances. Shayon is to perform Chhau along with his father and other male performers. However, his interest is not Chhau, its football.

Now, Shubha’s interest is Chhau which was only done by males i.e. her father and only her troupes. How will she convey her father that she want to do Chhau too? How will she stand up to her father? Read the book to find out.

Shubha’s character may come across as a rebel to you but that is not all that she is. She does have the wilfulness to fight for herself and stand up for what she believes in but she is also scared of her father. She questions things and raises her voice at injustice. Her character is about standing up for things she believes in and thats what I love about the book. Priya Kuriyan’s black and white illustrations accompany Vibha Batra’s interesting writing style and add to the book.

If you like a book with a strong female character and a good plot, The Chhau Champ is for you!

Thanks to Penguinsters for providing me with the review copy in lieu of an honest review.