The author first went to South Asia in 1971, and in the half-century since then, he’s explored India “by rickshaw, bicycle, camel, bullock cart, horse-drawn buggy, elephant, tuk-tuk, scooter, motorcycle, car, bus, plane, boat, and on foot,” visiting almost every district, talking to countless people, and reveling in all aspects of the nation’s art and culture. Huyler grounds his travel tales in his larger life story, from his upbringing in Ojai, California, to his time at the University of Denver; his courtship and marriage to his wife, Helene; and his journeys to other locations, such as Afghanistan and Turkey. However, the heart of the author’s narrative involves his many encounters with the merchants, vendors, and artists of India, many of whom became longtime friends. Huyler recounts his dealings with people he calls “mentors”—such as Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the founder of the Central Cottage Industries, a government-owned arts-and-crafts store based in New Delhi—and he also shares a great deal of information regarding the history and traditions of various cities and regions he’s visited. All these experiences have made him an in-demand expert on Indian art and culture; for instance, in the 1980s, he was consulted by various collections and museums in the United States about various Indian art items they possessed. Throughout these reminiscences, Huyler is an unfailingly readable and genial narrator, effectively conveying the sights and sounds that made him fall in love with India and its people. He’s also excellent at relating the culture shock that he experienced coming home to the United States, which he calls a land of “good cars, modern buildings, and efficient businesses”: “After India,” he reflects, “my native society appeared too clean and antiseptic.” Aficionados of India will be captivated by the details that Huyler highlights, and armchair travelers will also find much of interest here.
