The First Flame

Set against the backdrop of Diwali, a nine-year-old girl, Kumud Kuthiyala, grapples with the harsh realities of marriage traditions when her aunt visits. As the joyous festival contrasts with the looming threat of the suttee ritual, Kumud and her mother face a desperate race against time to save Aunt Sau from a fate they dread. The story explores themes of cultural practices, familial bonds, and the struggle between tradition and personal choice.