On the Banks of the Pampa : A Novel

by Volga

'An exquisite tapestry of light and shade, an intense evocation of nature and myth, a novel of many hues - a masterpiece.' - NAMITA GOKHALE, author of Paro, Shakuntala and Things to Leave Behind

'In her new poetic novel, Volga combines lyrical language and the love of nature with a fearlessly critical vision of timeless issues such as caste discrimination, territorial expansion, and the thoughtless destruction of nature. As usual, she has depicted classic characters from the Ramayana - Rama, Sabari, Kabanda and Hanuma, among others - from an original and surprising angle to create a deeply thought-provoking book.' - CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI, author of The Palace of Illusions, The Forest of Enchantments and Independence

'This book is a deeply meaningful reimagining of the encounter between Rama and Sabari, full of questions that we need to ask ourselves today. In Volga's work, it is always women who hold wisdom and knowledge and here, her feminist perspective is as firm and confident as ever, without being strident. Purnima Tammireddy modulates this important voice beautifully so that its challenges and subversions ring loud and clear in English.' - ARSHIA SATTAR, author of Maryada: Searching for Dharma in the Ramayana

Genres: India, Fiction, Mythology

164 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2025

About the author

Popuri Lalita Kumari, popularly known by her pen name Volga, is Telugu poet and writer well known for her feminist perspective. She was born in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. She won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015 for her short story compilation 'Vimukta Kadha Samputi' in Telugu. Along with being a writer, she has also been a professor and head of scripting division in Tollywood. Her work initiated debates across the country about feminism, in times when the idea was hardly accepted. The Library of Congress has a collection of her most popular published works, including the English translations of selected short stories.

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful retelling of a part of the Ramayana. Developing Sabari's character extensively - from her ancestors, to her upbringing, every aspect contributing to the books main theme!

What I Loved:
1. Super smooth translation.
2. Mindful questions raised in a short span - on disrupting/embracing nature, on "nagarikta" and its supposed progress, the real cost of developing cities and societies.
3. Ramayana is just a backdrop. Core concepts are pretty good, blending so well with the epic.
4. Calm and serene reading experience.
5. That last conversation where Sabari pours her heart out to Rama. Worth pondering over.
6. Excerpts from the interview between the author and the translator.

Overall:
Not to be read in silo if you aren't familiar with the Ramayana.
Recommended for its crisp story telling, blending mythology with thoughts on nature, patriarchy, caste, meaning of freedom and democracy.

[Sahitya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the Telugu (original) of this translation, but GR doesn’t have that here, so I’m adding the English version to my Read pile. Been a long time since I read anything in Telugu so it took a while. A very interesting reimagining of the tale of Sabari from the Ramayana, and full of the author’s commentary on the rapid development in the name of civilization that is leading to many environmental and ecological disasters.

[Priyanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the banks of Pampa written by Telugu writer and poet P. Lalita Kumari is the reimagination of Sabari' encounter with Sri Rama. For the purpose of this story, Rama is imagined as a powerful prince rather than God incarnate. Sabari is a forest dweller who encounters him while on his quest to find Sita. The author has spun this tale around the idea of city dwellers and forest dwellers.

It talks about the dicotomty of development versus conservation through the eyes and views of these two prominent characters. It's a small book making it a quick read.

[Rendezvouswithbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indian Mythology has always been an integral part of my upbringing. From watching Ramayana on Doordarshan every Sunday morning 9 a.m. as a kid to dancing & evocating on those stories through my dance form, has been the way these stories got deeply embedded in my life

One of the most heart warming stories of Ramayana showcases love in its purest selfless form through the story of Sabari. She waits for the longest time to meet Rama & finely when she meets him, her devotion & love touches Rama deeply

While Rama has always been revered for his compassion, integrity, but as a society we have failed to acknowledge the extreme patriarchal side of him

But in Volga’s retelling, Sabari is the medium through which author shows us the side which as a society we should fight for

Here Sabari is not merely a symbol of an altruistic pious devotee. She decides to evolve with changing times. She just doesn't want to exist in symbolic form but rather wage a fight for caste hierarchies, emphasis the difference b/w Aranyavasis (forest dwellers) & Nagaravasis (city dwellers). Author's statements about ecological destruction of our earth are as scary as true. She very smartly juxtaposes Sabari with ecological reformists of our times

She doesn't believe in waiting for anyone anymore rather takes actions herself. She still reveres Ram but won't follow him blindfoldedly. She believes in taking rightful stance & fighting for it

Lyrics flow through the text, there are pauses to behold, prose that lingers, times where you feel sentences following your breathing pattern

Translation is delicious

The interview at the end of the book of Author & translator elaborates finely on the various subtexts

Fierce piece of ecofeminist writing with a fine commentary on politics, caste, this is a book not to be missed by any strata, culture, country. Every time that I read & re-read this book( which will happen quite a few times), I would be amazed by Volga's thinking skills, creative power & narration capabilities. She is one of those 'born once in a millennium' kind of author

I can't wait to read the rest of the books from this triptych. Madly in love with Volga's writing

Please READ IT NOW

QUOTES

- "You all have forgotten the basics. You act as if all of nature is one side and you’re on the other. Rama, aren’t we, too, a part of this infinite universe?"

- "The quivering water, blithely clinging on to the weightless specks of light begged them not to depart. 'No, we can't stay on,' said the light-streaks, adding enticingly, 'Instead, let us take you along on a journey, on the highways of the sky!"

- "I recommend a way of life that fosters nothing but love and compassion. Stop this relentless pursuit of the universe’s buried secrets. Instead, listen to its whispers. Our existence will find its meaning if we develop a keen ear for the subtle murmurs of the universe.”

[Shreenidhi R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story Follows Sabari 🌿a sacred woman who played an important role in helping Shri Rama finding Sita through Hanuman and Sugreeva . The story explores Sabari’s childhood, her harsh life, and the circumstances that led her to live in the forest 🌳 near the banks of the Pampa River 🏞️. It also beautifully portrays her meeting with Shri Rama .

The writing is simple, poetic and beautiful ✨, capturing the essence of nature 🍃 in a very vivid way. This book made me reflect on who can truly be called “civilised” : those who exploit nature for their own benefit, or those who live in harmony with it 🌏. The book also touches upon strong themes such as caste discrimination, slavery, and the destruction of forests 🌳🔥.One aspect I didn’t like was the portrayal of Kabandha . In Ramayana he is depicted as a yaksha who was cursed and turned into a demon, who later attacks Rama and Lakshmana and is killed by them 🏹. However, in this book, he is shown as a good man who helps Sabari and is wrongfully killed by Rama and Lakshmana . This interpretation didn’t sit well with me.
Apart from that, I truly loved the book 🩷✨

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volga is one of the foremost writers in India today, and most of her books tackle themes of social and political relevance. Both her earlier works translated from Telugu to English, "Yashodhara" and "The Liberation of Sita", are retellings of mythological stories through the lens of gender and social justice. The third book in the series, On the Banks of the Pampa, is probably her most ambitious to date. She uses the little known and largely misrepresented story of Sabari from the Ramayana to raise very pertinent questions on the nature of development and the true meaning of civilisation?
Sabari was born an 'aranyavasi', a forest dweller, and her community was largely wiped out when the 'nagarvasis' decided they needed more land to expand. She escaped with her life, and under the tutelage of Matanga Muni learns to question the very definitions of knowledge and civilisation. Who, she asks, is truly civilized- is it someone who bends nature to his will, or is it someone who lives in harmony with nature? These questions are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago when human beings gave up hunting and gathering to become agriculturists, and started building cities. The book may be extremely slim, but the questions that the author asks will stay with you forever.
The translation of the book is almost lyrical, and seeks to capture the essence of the book. The author and translator duo took the call to retain many of the words which defy translation. Words like 'gyanam', 'agyanam', 'aranyavasi' and 'nagarvasi' contain multitudes which would have been lost had they been translated into English. The description of the lush banks of lake Pampa where Sabari lives are so beautiful you can almost smell the fresh earth and hear the bird calls.
This is, in my opinion, Volga's best novel to date, and that is a huge accomplishment given the fact that I loved both the other novels I read. I read the book during #WomenInTranslation month

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good point on preserving nature and how tribal women fight for it. Very eloquent writing of forests.

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Magnificent Piece of Work-
Review of 'On the Banks of the Pampa'

Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧; 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐟 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬."

Everyone knows the story of Sabri. It's taught in schools and told by the grandmothers/mothers to their kids. Years ago, I read it in my Hindi prose 'Subodh Bharti' in ICSE curriculum. On the Banks of the Pampa tweaks the story a little bit and gives an intriguing backstory to the protagonist who has just been reduced to a footnote in the larger scheme of things.

Sabari's encounter with Rama is an important episode in the Ramayana. But who was Sabari, a forest-dweller who became Rama's ardent devotee? This is what Volga answers in her retelling of the legend of Sabri. In this story, Sabri is a forest dweller, an aranyavasi, who was once forced into slavery by an authoritarian state. She breaks free and the story then follows the journey of her liberation and awakening. She morphs into a voice of dissent for the ones considered lesser by others.

The story unfolds near the banks of Pampa and like a river, it flows gently. When it encounters huge boulders, it splashes against them, never breaking, never stopping. In that, it is as much the story of the river and the forest as it is of Sabri.

Giving her traditional twist to the narrative, Volga writes that the people who followed Ram into the jungle didn tto back but embarked upon their own journeys. Sutapa had ventured into the woods following his wronged prince, driven solely by sorrow. In time, he became a wanderer because he fell in love with the forests. Prince Ramachandra was not his priority any more. From starting the journey out of loyalty to his prince, Sutapa's ambition evolved into crossing the rivers and forests to reach the sea. His journey was no longer materialistic but spiritual.

Similarly, Volga has a strong dissenting voice. Her words weigh against authoritative regimes. She writes: "Everything on the banks of the Pampa was peaceful and serene until the menace called rajyam invaded their lives. In nearby jungles, the formidable built their centres of dominion. They began building cities. They stripped the forest for miles on end--cutting down the old, strong trees. Levelled the land, blasted through rock, carved out stones."

This is the final part of Volga's trilogy of feminist retellings of the Indian epics. It leaves many questions in mind: should the meaning of dharma be reconsidered? When will we reject ideologies that legitimize conquest and the exploitation of nature? Masterfully translated into English by Purnima Tammireddy, the story doesn't read like translation at all and I feel that's the biggest win for a translator. To be invisible and yet have a strong hand over the story, providing it shade to grow.

Pick it up today.

[Divya Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Banks of the Pampa by Volga (pen name of author P Lalita Kumari) translated from Telugu by Purnima Tammireddy takes an episode from the epic Ramayana, extrapolates it and fashions an imagined retelling that's brilliantly packaged with socio-political messages that are the need of the hour. Dwelling upon Sabari, an old tribal woman’s encounter with Rama in the forests south of Vindhyas, this book critically analyses important issues like caste discrimination, man’s gluttony for greater power & control resulting in wars & massacres, his unending greed for land & natural resources that cause mindless & savage destruction.

Sabari, an aranyavasi (forest dweller) resides in the beautiful & bountiful forests on the banks of river Pampa in the hut of sage Matanga. How or why did Matanga Muni, an untouchable, come to these forests, what is his message to the world seeking enlightenment through penance? How did Sabari, the daughter of a happy aranyavasi couple, sister to two elder brothers find herself separated from her family and land up orphaned in the lap of nature in Pampa forests? Why is Sabari so intent on meeting Rama once before she dies? And who is Kabanda who finds refuge in Matanga Muni’s ashram? These questions find answers as Sabari recounts stories, heard, lived and experienced to Sutapa, a weaver from Ayodhya who follows his wronged and exiled crown prince Rama. As Sabari’s stories flow, a world caught in a tug of war between opposites unravels.

Who defines what is jnanam (knowledge)? What is nagarik (civilised) - living with less wants and more gratitude or treating nature like a commodity and plundering it to fuel one's sophisticated lifestyle? What is dharma (righteous path), is it right to violently force people out of their natural way of life to keep a promise made to someone else? What is it about human nature that breeds such animosity towards another? Sabari shares all the above questions in her conversation with Rama when they meet, a beautiful instance of how important dialogue is, not just when parties in it have the same opinion but actually when they have opposing thoughts/ideologies.

Sabari stands tall as the protagonist in this tale. Her ideology puts nature first in its entirety, in a state of harmony and delicate equilibrium, over man who is just a speck on Earth. That said, the lush forests on the bank of Pampa described in a lyrical language, the home to herds of tuskers, peacocks, ponna flowers and so many beautiful forms of life that shares a camaraderie with sun, moon and rain is just as important (maybe even bigger) a character. When you close this little gem, Sabari's question will stay with you forever - “But what does the universe lose if we don't exist?”

A slim & thought-provoking novella that shimmers with a firm feminist stance and reverence for Mother Earth, On the Banks of the Pampa boasts of a translation that's smooth with choices that ensure fidelity to the original. The insights section at its end is a superb treat.

[Vidhya Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved The Liberation of Sita, I was drawn to On the Banks of the Pampa the moment I came across it. I knew it would be another masterpiece, and it truly is, soulful, lyrical, and deeply moving. Volga once again breathes life into a forgotten voice from mythology, this time giving us the story of Sabari – not just as a devotee, but as a thinker, a seeker, and a powerful presence in her own right.

We all know the name Sabari — the devoted woman who waited years for Rama, offering him berries she first tasted herself. We’ve all heard stories of Sabari and Lord Rama, from various retellings and interpretations. But in this book, Volga offers a reimagined lens, a compelling new perspective. Who was Sabari, beyond that act of devotion? What was her story before she met Rama? What made her wait, and who was her guru, Matanga Muni? Volga dares to go deeper. She reimagines Sabari not as a footnote in Rama’s story, but as the centre of her own universe. This novel doesn’t just ask these questions; it answers them with grace and wisdom.

Sabari, a child of the Aranyavasi, is uprooted and relocated with her parents. But what they encounter is a horrific city governed by harsh rules, cruel systems and a life that feels more like imprisonment. When Sabari finds a moment to flee, she escapes, unsure of her parents’ fate, but determined to reclaim her freedom. She wakes up on the banks of the Pampa, where she reunites with her guru, Matanga Muni. From that moment on, the forest becomes her world, not just a shelter, but a place of spiritual liberation. In the calm of the forest, in the wisdom of her guru, she rediscovers herself. She listens, she learns, and she transforms.

Read full review here https://vidhyathakkar.com/book-review...

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the characters from Ramayan, On the Banks of Pampa is the back story of Sabari. Starting from the struggles of her grandfather all the way to her final moments and her encounter with Rama. This little novella surprised me in the best way. The writing is so poised and gentle, yet somehow filled with emotion. The first 20–30 pages felt like stepping into a painting with lush forests, rivers, the quiet rhythm of the wilderness. I didn’t expect such simple prose to make me feel so much, but it did. There’s a love for nature woven through every line that mirrored my own.

The book has two very distinct parts. The first is just pure description, it's beautiful, almost meditative, an ode to the forest and the people who live in harmony with it. The second half becomes more conversational, almost like a debate between two ways of living: the “civilized” world of the city-dwellers or nagrikta and the life of the aranyavasis, the natives or tribals, who seem to understand community and coexistence far better than the people who claim to be more evolved.

And honestly, that contrast hit hard. The hypocrisy of the so-called civilized world is so clear here. The book doesn’t preach, it just quietly shows you how arrogance destroys and how gentleness survives. It feels, in a way, like a condensed version of everything that has been forgotten about the Hindu way of life: that we’re meant to live with nature, not above it, and that our wellbeing is tied to everything around us.

Even in such a short book, I felt a lot: sadness, admiration, frustration, hope. And somehow Volga manages to fit a conversation about colonization, belonging, inclusivity, culture and the cost of development into such a tiny space without ever making it feel heavy.

It’s beautiful, meaningful, and quietly powerful. I’m really glad I read it.

5/5

[_booksagsm · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Banks of the Pampa by Volga (Popuri Lalita Kumari) came to me as my very first introduction to this celebrated Telugu writer, thanks to HarperCollins. Volga is a powerful voice in Indian literature, known for her bold feminist outlook and her ability to question long-held ideas through storytelling. Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award, she has been shaping debates on women, identity, and freedom for decades. This book gave me the chance to finally experience her work in English, beautifully translated by Purnima Tammireddy.

The novel reimagines Sabari from the Ramayana, not as a silent devotee but as a woman with her own thoughts, choices, and voice. Through Sabari’s journey, Volga shines a light on caste discrimination, the destruction of nature, and the meaning of civilisation. The conversations between Sabari and Rama are striking because they are not just about devotion but about questioning dharma, power, and humanity’s place in the world. What I loved most was how nature is treated as a living, breathing force—sometimes more important than humans themselves. The writing is lyrical, poetic, and makes you pause to think about the balance we often lose in our modern lives.

Reading this book also made me curious about Volga’s other works, especially The Liberation of Sita, which is often spoken about in the same breath as this one. I now understand why her stories are called both radical and soulful—they give space to voices we rarely hear in mythology. For me, On the Banks of the Pampa was not just a retelling but also a mirror, asking difficult questions about society, nature, and justice. It was a moving and unforgettable first encounter with Volga’s writing, and I am grateful HarperCollins brought this book into my hands.

[Sanjana Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the banks of the Pampa is a short but impactful book you can finish in a day! Consisting of only 125 pages, it beautifully describes the life of Sabari, from the famous epic The Ramayana.
But that is not all!
The book also highlights the lives of forest dwellers and how they were treated by the city dwellers during that era, who justified slavery and colonization. Although the descriptions are not graphic, they are heartbreaking. Sabari, a forest dweller, was brought up by her guru Matanga Muni and spent her life as a spiritual and wise woman. When she meets an Ayodhyavasi ( citizen of Ayodhya) and hears the praises of Prince Rama, she looks forward to meet him and become the voice of the forest dwellers.

The novel is written by Volga and translated by Purnima Tammireddy, and both have done an excellent job. The book has marvelously portrayed the essence of life during that time, but it feels so relatable even to the modern world, where nature is being exploited in the name of development. Although it is the third and final book in Volga’s powerful feminist retellings, I read this one as a stand-alone. I'm definitely looking forward to read more books by the author.

[Dipankar Bhadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Banks of the Pampa is a story about an old woman named Sabari who lives in the forest by a river. She meets a prince named Rama and shares her life story with him. Through her tales, we learn about her past, her love for nature, and her wish to meet Rama before she dies. The book also introduces a mysterious man named Kabanda who finds shelter in the forest.

The story touches on important topics like fairness, civilization, and the impact humans have on nature. Sabari's deep connection to the environment and her respect for the Earth are highlighted in the book. The descriptions of the beautiful forest by the river add to the story's charm.

Overall, On the Banks of the Pampa is a short and powerful tale that teaches us to value nature and treat each other with kindness. It is an engaging read that leaves us thinking about the important lessons Sabari's story has to offer.

[Parvathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retelling of the Sabari story from the Ramayana. Valmiki had just four stanzas in his epic about Sabari, but Volga turns it into a slim novella about the relationship between humans and nature, about the power of the state and who it benefits, about the spread of Arya dharma across the South. The messages are powerful but they are told gently, and the last dialogue between Rama and Sabari is especially lovely.

Volga's retellings always come with an angle of dissent. They make you look at our stories differently, with a contemporary viewpoint. And they make you think.

This is not my favourite Volga, it is a bit too simplistic for my liking. But it definitely is worth a read. Recommend.

[Karthika · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Concise, simple yet so thought provoking. Taking a part of mythology and bringing in her ideology as a totally different thought process or flaw in understanding of the main character commendable.

The question that lingers in my mind at the end of this book is, "What is civilization? Does it have an saturation limit at some point? And all these at what cost?" If the answer is to live a comfortable life, without dying from diseases and growing with technology, dont people exist even today who die due to illnesses and have no access to technology due to poverty or other reason?.

A wonderful book to re-read all over again

[Kiran Reddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what this book is supposed to be! For whom!

It's a soft fiction around mythological figures. If young adults would like it? Not sure. Would it add any perspective to the well read? No!

I am truly at a loss to miss the good words that Ms. Arshiya Sattar and Ms. Namita Gokhale have for this writing!

[Bijoyini Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of 2026 for me, so I will it here. A strong narrative fable highlighting the oppression of the original dwellers of the land by freeloading expansionists, a practice as old as the Ramayana. Relevant today as our greed continues ro displace people to dig mines, setup factories and what not.

[Kakoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling and a different take on Sabari and Lord Rama's encounter. A steady narration  relevant to present times with themes of power, caste, oppression and the pursuit of harmony of mankind with nature.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about Sabari and Matanga muni with nature and Pampa river description.

[Sneha Pathak (reader_girl_reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had loved The Liberation of Sita but this was a bit flat compared to that. Bear in mind that I approached this with no idea of Shabari. Somehow, the story didn't pick up for me.