Book Review - Nalabhagam, T.Janakiraman

Nalabhagam, T.Janakiraman

This is, as always, another book with an explosive (at that point of time) theme by T.Janakiraman. Every other book by this author is special for me for three reasons. One, they make me feel as if this author has taken a peek into my life at some point of time or the other. Two, like most classics of Tamizh literature, this one also revolves in and around Thanjavur district – my native place. And, three, every other work by this author, ‘pushes my emotional envelope’ and stretches my mind’s canvas, so that it can contain more of emotions and I could paint some vivid pictures in the same.

The story goes like this – Kameswaran was abandoned by his father and step-mother while he was a young boy and he was brought up by Vatsan who used to cook in the temples. He was brought up in the best of ways and discipline and devotion to God is all that he knows about. Now he makes a living by working as a cook in religious tour trains.

Rangamani is a middle-aged woman whose husband passed away due to TB within a few years of marriage and she was left to suppress both her carnal requirements as well as emotional requirements for a child. She has an adopted son now, but who is also not bearing any child. She is so worried for the future of her daughter-in-law and is in pain thinking that her daughter-in-law’s fate will also end up similar to hers – without any progeny.

Muthuswamy is a famous astrologer, who is travelling in the same train as Rangamani and tells her that as per the family horoscopes, her adopted son will never have a child, but her daughter-in-law will. Rangamani meets Kameswaran in the same train and something deep down tells her that he is the son that she couldn’t bring out from her womb. She asks Kameswaran to come and stay with him as her son. Kameswaran, though reluctant, feels the same love for her and accepts her as a motherly figure.

Meanwhile, thinking over the astrologer’s words, Rangamani has some plans of bringing progeny to her family, by involving Kameswaran with her daughter-in-law, in crude concept of surrogate father. What did transpire? Did Kameswaran see things the same way Rangamani did? What did her daughter-in-law and son think about her plans? What were the emotional struggles? ‘Nalabhagam’ answers all these questions.

Book Review - A Childhood in Malabar, Kamala Das

A Childhood in Malabar: A Memoir, Kamala Das

This is the third book of Kamala Das that I had picked up, after ‘My Story’ and ‘Closure: Some Poems and a Conversation’. While in ‘My Story’, Kamala Das managed to cause a rupture in many minds over her writing style and discussion of topics that were considered ‘taboo’ till then, ‘Closure: Some Poems…’ happened to be a good collection of her eloquent yet sharp poems that made me admire the wonderful poet in her.

Like ‘My Story’, ‘A Childhood in Malabar’ is also a biographical, tell-tale book, in which Kamala Das recounts her growing up and coming of age at the simple and serene village surroundings of Kerala. Sent to Kerala from Kolkata at the outburst of World War II, for the sake of safety, Kamala revels in the presence of caring elders and learns various sides of human personality. But just because the stories are all about her childhood, don’t mistake that these are entirely about crow, fox, mice and cats. 

Kamala Das has indulged in her usual mischievous style every now and then and the entire book is more of a narrative than just stories. Though it is about the childhood events, she has infused a lot about the intense human emotions as well. One thing that stands throughout is her feminine yearnings for a better appearance and fairer skin. Seems even one of the best female writers of the country isn’t spared of such ‘pains’.

If you relished reading ‘My Story’ you will definitely relish reading this too. But don’t expect all the glitz, glamour and sexual frankness in this book. This is about innocent childhood and though once in a while Kamala gives a hint of something like that, this remains mainly a book on childhood. Moreover, Kamala Das herself has accepted that she had to use a bit of fiction while writing ‘My Story’ to spice up (!) the book.

Overall, a good book, where Kamala Das takes you around on a journey into the world of ponds, farmlands, servant maids, muthassi, ammaman, achan, typically serene surroundings of rural Kerala, snacks, siblings and sentiments. Try it and you will not be disappointed!

A Tribute to the Tree (Anonymous)

Read this beautiful little poem in the book ‘Bonsai for the Tropics’ by Jyoti Pandya. The poet is unknown, but the poem is really worth sharing. Enjoy reading this!

A Tribute to the Tree (Anonymous)

Let us pause for the taking of inventory,
To measure the debt we owe the tree.

For the searching root that knits the soil,
The cooling shade for those who toil.

The air we breathe, nature’s greatest gift,
And the leaf that heralds each season’s shift.

Forget not the fruit that feeds man and beast,
The branch that burns to prepare the feast.

That sturdy frame that builds the home,
And the paper on which you read this poem.

The tree gives all and asks no prize,
Even making the axe that ends its life.

Something from Rumi

One day I feel confused and down,
the next I can reach the sky
without you I am never calm.
In your absence people ridicule me,
but when you come
I don't mind what they think or say.
I refuse to feast or be merry without my Beloved.

Rumi

Passing Thought!

It is not without reason that we are given troubles and turmoils. We deserve whatever we end up having in our lives. Brooding over them is not a wise choice. Either silently bear the punishment/torment without any grudges or keep complaining and cribbing. But whichever choice you make, Life has to be lived in its wholesome pattern and skipping any one portion is not going to make your life complete in the final reckoning!!!

Review - The Fabric of Our Lives: The Story of Fabindia

Image Source - Fabindia.com

The Fabric of Our Lives: The Story of Fabindia, by Radhika Singh 

Fabindia has been my favorite retail brand ever since one of my long-lost friends introduced me to it. I am thinking as to what makes Fabindia a special thing to me and these are some of the answers that I could come up with - an exhibition of tradition and ethnicity, vivid and vibrant colors, natural fabrics and other items, aesthetics of the shop interiors, the lighting, the mixed aroma of wood, clothes and other items. For me, Fabindia is synonymous to sensuousness, but wait, am I here to talk about the book or the brand?!!!

This book is a treat for the fans of Fabindia and it gives a complete account of the brand, since it's humble beginning as an export company due to the efforts of an American who was fascinated by Indian crafts and fabrics.

The book begins with how John Bissell arrived in India as a normal executive to assist the revival of Indian handicrafts/handlooms industry and how he ended up changing the lives of so many artisans and revived some of the dying (pun unintended) art of handlooms in the country. The book moves chronologically from formation of an export firm to formulation of one of the famous retail brands of the country. John Bissell is the protagonist of this book and as can be expected, after his demise, the book tends to get a little – only a little – uninteresting, focusing mainly on business figures and strategy rather than emotions and enthusiasm that till then entwines the flow. One eerie event during the reading of the book though is that of reading about the founder’s demise exactly on the day of his demise - 03rd of March.

Started by John Bissell more for emotional and aesthetic tenets, Fabindia has been doing good now and has become a household name literally, having shifted its focus from selling just durries to a whole spectrum of clothing, furniture, fashion accessories, organic foods and health products, and even special stationery. The founder has been an epitome of emotions, passion, compassion, integrity and assiduousness. Now, if only I could emulate him!

Thirukkural

அறத்துப்பால்
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

1. அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதி
பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு.

2. கற்றதனால் ஆய பயனென்கொல் வாலறிவன்
நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்.

3. மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் மாணடி சேர்ந்தார்
நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ் வார்.

4. வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலானடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு
யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல.

5. இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன்
பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு.

6. பொறிவாயில் ஐந்தவித்தான் பொய்தீர் ஒழுக்க
நெறிநின்றார் நீடுவாழ் வார்.

7. தனக்குவமை இல்லாதான் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது.

8. அறவாழி அந்தணன் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
பிறவாழி நீந்தல் அரிது.

9. கோளில் பொறியின் குணமிலவே எண்குணத்தான்
தாளை வணங்காத் தலை.

10. பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் நீந்துவர் நீந்தார்
இறைவன் அடிசேரா தார்.
 

Source - http://kural.muthu.org/