
Twelve-year-oldMotilivesinthedustyIndiancountryside—aridplainswheregoatsandcamelsroam,andthelandisstillcultivatedbyhand.AsamemberoftheManganiarcaste,hehasgrownupwithmusic.Singingispartofhislife,awaytotellstoriesandpassontraditions.Motihasconsiderabletalentandattendsamusicschooltogetevenbetter.It’scustomaryforhiscastetoperformforwealthypatrons,butMotiisuncomfortablewiththis.Whenhegetscastinamusicalandgoesonaworldtour,hisvillagetreatshimlikeahero.<br/> Thisisthestoryofaboywho’sthefirstpersoninhisvillageevertogoabroadandspreadthespiritofhispeople.DividedintochaptersandpunctuatedbytraditionalManganiarsongs,PearloftheDesertprovidesfascinatinginsightintothetraditions,customsandetiquetteofthisMuslimcaste.Butaboveall,forMotitheadventureisastageinhisjourneytofindwherehebelongs.

