Book Review: (Regional Stories of India Anthology) Manicure in Mundirikuppam - Not on hands, but on lives, through the power of education.

Stories rooted in different corners of India often carry voices we rarely hear.

Regional Stories of India brings together three such narratives, each set in a distinct part of the country, offering glimpses into lives shaped by culture, community, and everyday resilience.

“A Rumbly Feast,” written by Rohini Vij, is a warm and lively tale that brings together food, family, and joy in a delightful way, reflecting the lives of the Gaddi tribe of Himachal Pradesh.

“Under the Mahua Tree,” written by Lavanya Kapahi, is a tender and evocative story that captures the quiet beauty of childhood and nature, centred around the Korku tribe of Maharashtra.

And then comes the story I’m reviewing today—one that lingers differently, speaking of quiet determination, resilience, and transformation. Manicure in Mundirikuppam, written by Subhashree Giridhar and illustrated by Vallabhi Shegaonkar, pays a heartfelt tribute to manual labourers who endure hardship with quiet strength and resilience.

Manicure in Mundirikuppam - Not on hands, but on lives, through the power of education.

Mundirikuppam - Where the sea becomes solace :

Living by the coast is a blessing—watching the evening waves, listening to the quiet rhythm of the sea, and tossing stones into the waves. Many consider life along the coast a profound blessing. For others, it depends on one's perspective. But for those who carry the weight of manual labour with resilience, coastal life can become a form of therapy.

What This Story Is About :

Manicure in Mundirikuppam, written by Subhashree Giridhar, tells the story of Nila's journey, a determined and curious girl who overcomes hardships to gain an education and bring progress to her family and town. Nila, who lost her father at a young age, lived with her Amma (mother) and Thatha (grandfather) in Mundirikuppam, a quaint little fictional village on the coast of Tamil Nadu. Both of them worked as manual cashew shellers.

Synopsis :

In Mundirikuppam, men’s primary source of income was fishing, while women relied on manual cashew shelling. Everyone, including Nila’s Amma and Thatha, worked in cashew processing units owned by Adi Shivan, whom they respectfully call Saami. He presents himself as a kind and generous employer, but the reality is far from it.

Saami manipulates his workers by offering gifts and incentives to secure their votes in the Panchayat Election.

Manual cashew shelling is a painful job, with the caustic fluid staining hands black and causing relentless itching and burning with no relief in sight. Nila’s Amma cooked simple, bland meals because her injured palms couldn’t handle chillies, yet she continued working tirelessly; her only aim was to keep her daughter from going hungry, as it was their only source of income. Amma believed they were destined to work for Saami and should never speak out against him or the villagers. Despite Nila’s many attempts to change her mother’s mindset, each effort ended in disappointment. However, with her teacher's guidance and the riddle's mystery, Nila discovers a way forward. The rest of the story shows how Nila overcomes her hurdles and rewrites her destiny, revealing the solution to the riddle.  

Manicure in Mundirikuppam - Not on hands, but on lives, through the power of education

What stayed with me :

The vivid detailing of Mundirikuppam through the eyes of the illustrator, the way families live together in one-room thatched houses, holding onto both struggle and togetherness. Nila’s ripple laughter game with her best friend, neighbour, and classmate Ravi adds a quiet charm to the story. The tyre wranglers, the presence of Kateri Amman, and the spirit of the Aadi festival, filled with ferris wheels, kummi, and poikal kuthirai aatam, bring the setting alive with culture and warmth.

Above all, what truly stayed with me is Nila herself, the girl who finds joy in the smallest moments, who remains quietly determined, who believes that her choices shape her life, and who holds onto her education with unwavering devotion.

Lines That Still Whisper :

Some lines in stories hold deeper meanings that linger even after you’ve finished reading. For me, this is one such line—spoken by Nila’s grandfather: We shall fight, my dear. Let knowledge be your armour, and I’ll be your shield. We will face this together”. It shows how important it is to stand by someone who believes in you, even when the whole world is against them, and reminds us that “family is our greatest strength.”

My Thoughts:

Education is one’s greatest asset. We live in an era where we complain about spending time travelling in AC buses and cars to get to school or work, while some children, like Nila, walk eight kilometres just to reach school or work. It hits especially hard when Ravi says, “My wings were cut long ago.” This leaves us with a powerful reflection—education is not equally easy for everyone. Focused, determined, and courageous, Nila reflects not only grit and resilience in her pursuit of education but also a deep sense of responsibility. Her after-school household chores, even after walking all the way home, show the strength and discipline children develop when they take on responsibilities early in life.

Much like life by the shore, this book is a gentle blessing—calm, unhurried, and deeply comforting in its simplicity.

As Nila says, we don’t need wings to soar; we don’t need to wait for a special day to read the book.

Perhaps it’s time to discover the riddle that changed lives.

Get your copy here. https://amzn.to/47fJq7U

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