Idris: Keeper of the Light

Idris: Keeper of the Light is a historical adventure novel that combines family, travel, romance, culture and the rich history of seventeenth-century India. The story follows Idris, a Somali trader, whose unexpected meeting with his young son changes the course of his journey. From Kerala to Golcondo, the novel explores an unfamiliar historical world through an intimate and adventurous story.

Anita Nair is an acclaimed Indian author known for her novels, short stories and poetry. Her writing often explores human relationships, identity, society and Indian life through distinctive characters and engaging narratives. She is a recipient of the Central Sahitya Akademi Award and has written several widely read works of fiction. Idris: Keeper of the Light showcases her interest in history, culture and storytelling through a richly imagined journey across seventeenth-century South India.

Set in 1659, the novel follows Idris, a Somali trader who travels to Kerala to attend the Mamangam festivities. During his visit, he unexpectedly meets a nine-year-old boy and discovers that the child is his son, whose existence he had never known about.

Wanting to build a relationship with his son, Idris takes the boy with him on a journey. Their travels lead them across the vibrant and diverse landscape of seventeenth-century southern India and eventually towards the diamond mines of Golcondo.