Bhimbaba: An Eternal Light

Prashant Tambe

Reviewed by Priya Naik & Sujata Noronha 

A book written in an engaging, conversational style that encourages readers to know more about the remarkable work of Bhimbaba and to be unafraid to ask and think about equality, dignity, and justice

Title: Bhimbaba: An Eternal Light Author: Prashant Tambe Genre: Fact Fiction Theme: Social Justice Target Audience: Children (upper primary and above) QBR Reviews Issue: Q1 2026

When we began reading Bhimbaba: An Eternal Light written by Prashant Tambe, we felt as if we were listening in on an intimate family’s talk of their own history and purpose. The families in this book, enable a culture where children ask questions freely, parents listen with trust and attention and answer in a way that allows knowledge and experiences to be shared with their children. Prashant Tambe invites us into the lives of two families that are taking a short road trip, driving for long hours with periods of chatter and wonder. As readers, what stayed with us the most was the warmth and confidence with which we learned about Bhimrao Ambedkar in anecdotes throughout the book. Prashant Tambe writes from a purposeful Ambekarite position within the community he represents, and this insider perspective shapes the book’s tone, making it feel intimate rather than explanatory and fact based.The story is mostly linear shifting between the families’ present day travels and events from the past. The characters are relatable without being deeply developed, as they mainly help carry the intent of passing on the light of Bhimbaba to readers. The story centers on two young girls Anandita and Arundhati(both eight years old) who are school classmates and close friends. They are travelling with their parents on a much awaited road trip. Throughout the journey, both of them keep asking questions about ‘Bhimbaba’ as Dr. Ambedkar is lovingly known in the community. Their questions continue on the journey along  the Nagpur- Jabalpur Highway between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in India.  The family  first travel to Dikshabhoomi (located in Nagpur, is a Buddhist pilgrimage site where B.R.Ambedkar and his followers embraced Buddhism in 1956) for Bhim Jayanti(celebrated on 14th April) celebrations and later on take a road trip to Pench National Park. Through these shared travels, facts about Ambedkar’s life and work are gently introduced alongside moments of play, observation, and general conversation.

Throughout the reading, we continuously sense and experience the ease with which the girls’ questions are welcomed by their parents. When Anandita and Arundhati ask why Bhimbaba is remembered with such devotion, their parents do not rush to give formal, direct answers or silence their curiosity. Instead the conversation unfolds patiently allowing ideas about education, dignity and injustice to surface naturally. The learning happens through relationship and trust and not instruction. When the girls ask about why Bhimbaba faced obstacles in accessing education, the parents respond patiently without simplifying the pain or turning it into a lesson. In this way, difficult realities are expressed without making them seem dramatic or shocking. Anandita and Arundhati help young readers enter the story and understand difficult ideas like caste discrimination, lack of access to education, and social injustice through their questions, conversations, and journeys. The facts about Ambedkar’s life are shared in a story-like manner. Details about his education, his father Ramji’s strong belief in learning, the pain he faced because of his alleged low caste, and his anti-caste writings such as Mooknayak, Bahishkrut Bharat, Samata, Janata, and Prabuddha Bharat are softly introduced, enabling the reader to come upon the expanse and breadth of this remarkable human being. 

Prashant Tambe’s background and life experience strongly shape the way this book is written and understood. In the preface to the book, he  shares that this book has grown out of a long cherished dream shaped by the stories passed down by his Aai-Baba. These oral stories have grown in depth as he fathers two girls himself.  This inheritance of storytelling is reflected in the narrative itself. This choice of telling seems  both intimate and political. The book does not try to explain the community to outsiders or justify understanding but narrates in an intimate way, drawing the reader in. The telling  shows readers who may not belong  how the community remembers, celebrates, and passes on its values to their children and how respectfully it is all communicated. This perspective is important because it helps readers to move away from stories that talk only about pain and suffering. The book shows lives that include joy, travel, curiosity, learning, and awareness of social issues. While reading this book, it helps one understand the long fight against caste discrimination and the important work done by Ambedkar. It also makes us think about our own responsibility to listen, to question unfairness, and to support equality, dignity, and social justice in everyday life.

The language of the book is simple and clear, and it is written keeping children in mind. There are no difficult or confusing parts. New words or ideas are explained as they appear so that the reader can follow the story easily. The writing does not try to complicate or take away from the purpose of the narrative. The normalisation of socio-political conversations may come as a disruption to families that believe children should be protected from certain kinds of conversations. This makes this book even more refreshing in how it portrays family discourse that is being socialised on resistance, critical thinking and self respect. Gender roles are disrupted from the ‘traditional’ in the smallest of ways in terms of who is driving the vehicle, where does the ‘man’ of the family sit and who asks questions and who chooses to answer them. The book also expands the argument around resistance to oppression by mentioning other significant leaders like Birsa Munda, Fatima Shaikh, and days like World Indigenous Day. In doing so, the book helps readers see that struggles for justice are not isolated but connected. This wider view is especially important for young readers as it helps them understand Ambedkar’s work as part of a bigger history of social justice.

The book is published in an interesting square format with illustrations that make the book more attractive and enjoyable to read. The colourful scenes of Bhim Jayanti celebrations and the forest views help balance the serious topics with visuals and give the book a bright and welcoming feel. However, the characters do not always look the same across all the illustrations, which can be slightly distracting. Each chapter also includes activities that keep children engaged before they move on to the next chapter. This text stood out for us in the library as it demonstrates in writing how the Ambedkarite community represents themselves as curious, thoughtful, questioning, joyful, and self-aware of their own  history as well as the world at large.  This understanding gives the book its real strength.

Bhimbaba: An Eternal Light is not just a children’s book about Dr. Ambedkar. It helps remember his life and ideas and introduces children to important questions about fairness, dignity, and justice. For children from the community it gives a sense of pride and belonging. For readers outside the community it builds understanding and respect. This is why the book feels meaningful and stays with us even after the story ends.

Other books:

1. Bhimayana by Srividya Nataraajan, S.Anand, Durgabai, Subhash Vyam, published by Nayanava in 2011.
2. B.R.Ambedkar: A Life in Books by Yogesh Maitreya and Nidhin Shobhana, published by Pratham Books in 2021.
3. The Boy Who Asked Why? by Sowmya Rajendran and Satwik Gade, published by Tulika Publishers in 2013.
4. The Adventures of Young Ambedkar by Devyani Khobragade, published by Juggernaut Books in 2020
5. Babasaheb Ambedkar: He Dared to Fight by Anant Pai, S.S. Rege, Dilip Kadam, published by Amar Chitra Khata in 1979.
6. The Hero: Babasaheb by Priyanka Patil, Self Published in 2025.
7. Babasaheb Ambedkar: An Inspirational Life by Mukunda Rao, published by Red Panda: an imprint of Westland Books in 2025.