The amazing story of the man who cycled from India to Europe for love
By: Per J Andersson ; translated by Anna Holmwood
Contributors: Holmwood, Anna, translator
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 281
ISBN-13: 9781786070333
Subjects: Man-woman relationships; East Indians; Bicycle touring; Artists; International travel; Biography
Work titles: New Delhi-Borås
Description: "The story begins in a public square in New Delhi. On a cold December evening a young European woman of noble descent appears before an Indian street artist known locally as PK and asks him to paint her portrait--it is an encounter that will change their lives irrevocably. PK was not born in the city. He grew up in a small remote village on the edge of the jungle in East India, and his childhood as an untouchable was one of crushing hardship. He was forced to sit outside the classroom during school, would watch classmates wash themselves if they came into contact with him, and had stones thrown at him when he approached the village temple. According to the priests, PK dirtied everything that was pure and holy. But had PK not been an untouchable, his life would have turned out very differently. This is the remarkable true story of how love and courage led PK to overcome extreme poverty, caste prejudice and adversity--as well as a 7,000-mile, adventure-filled journey across continents and cultures--to be with the woman he loved."--Publisher description.

Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia, a street artist born untouchable in India's caste system, meets Lotta von Schedvin, a young Swedish woman from a noble family, when she visits New Delhi to have her portrait painted by him. The two fall in love, and PK travels by bicycle for four months and three weeks to reunite with her.
Notes: "Originally published in Swedish as New Delhi-Borås by Forum, 2014"--Title-page verso.
Table of contents: title: The prophecy; title: The transformation; title: The long journey; title: Homecoming; title: Postscript; title: PK's acknowledgments; title: Photo album.